It is day four of backpacking in Colorado’s Holy Cross Range. I’m authoring from inside the butter-yellow walls of my Marmot tent, alone. Not because I’m a misanthrope but because all of my friends are locked in a prolonged state of camping procrastination stretching over 25 years.

“Want to go camping next week?” I’ll offer and they always quickly counter with some dubious excuse like, “No, I’ve got to paint my house.” A doubtable alibi since they all live in apartments.

Because I’m alone I have plenty of time to ponder why Colorado, a state that prides itself on outdoor abundance, disproportionately lacks in camping enthusiasts.

My theories are many, beginning with …