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Updated: 2:36 PM Jul 11, 2008
Southern Colorado's Mountain Mafia
Gunfire was heard in the streets and battles took place for control of territory and illegal operations. These are elements expected from any tale about the mafia. In Southern Colorado, it's a true story. A local author is shedding light on a major part of the state's colorful history.
Posted: 9:08 PM Jul 10, 2008Reporter: David Nancarrow Email Address: dnancarrow@kktv.com |
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I honestly believe that criminal history should be taught more in our schools. Let our young minds see that crime does not pay and give them a more realization that organized crime during the great depression was far worse then what it is today and education is the only way to having a successful future. To many gangsters today are living the HOLLYWOOD gangster life style because there are searching for an Identity. As do Jr High age kids with wild hair cuts and unusual attire. The Mafia is an interesting organization. Do I like reading the history yes. Do I want to join? No, I chose life. Support your local music Underground, buy a street CD and love somebody. Im BIG ROG and I approve this message.
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The "Mafia" is a fictitious organization created by government/city officials to persecute people of an Italian descent. There is no such thing as "The Mafia"... That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
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"Uncle Charley" Blanda as I can remember, a very decent person. He was a "businessman" . Our country today would have been far better off if the Government would have left the LCN alone and investigated our law makers. Sincerely Mitch, nephew of Charles V.Blanda.
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I recently read you book Mountain Mafia and it brought many memories. I was raised in the Vinland are grew up in the house that the Danna,s owned. My mother who is still alived told me what the house looked like when she and my dad bought before they remodeled. about the 4 doors on all sides of the house and bullit holes in the wall.my dad was around in them days as he was born in 1900 in Vineland. The names that you mention in your book I new most of them or new who they were. Thanks for writing a good book, I really enjoyed it. Ron
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It is an awesome book, after I took the class and read it . My son and I watched all three Godfathers again. It made so much more sense. I felt informed/educated. Mrs. Alt is amazing as an author and a professor.
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The mob had connections in CC and even in Salida into the early 1970s.
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Just heard about the Mountain Mafia book and have ordered it from Amazon. Been trying to find a bio on Betty Alt. I grew up in Pueblo as did my wife. We remember the Alt Dairy and have to believe we knew Betty "in the old days"! Can't wait to get the book particularly with the "explosion" of the Branch Inn. Still think it was a gas leak but the tunnels and all are interesting! I worked nights at the USPS Union Depot parcel post annex for a long time and sure glad it didn't "blow" then! Hope Betty reads this and responds! Thanks. Jerry Jones
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I know my great grandmother on my fathers side was an instrumental force in the sale and making of bootleg "Grapa" a variation of brandy made from grape skins. she even earned the infamous name of "bootleg queen" of Toltec a coal mining camp/ residence outside of Walsenburg CO. Anyone with any more knowledge of this era would be welcome to probe and share with me and mia familia.
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Besides the Mafia figures that are talked about in the " Mountain Mafia " or " Colorado Organized Crime assessment," besides Virgil Peterson of the Chicago Crime Commission, mentioned about the Mafia in Colorado, before the Kefauver Committee's hearings in the 50's. You might check on a book , called " Mafia," look under Colorado, you'll see pictures of some of the "figureheads" of the Colorado Mafia. It's funny in a way, the Kansas City Mafia had interest various Colorado cities with gambling ventures, back in the 40's - 50's, then to read that the St.Louis Mafia boss, had to shore up the Colorado Mafia, by sending some of "soldiers."It was suggested that the St. Louis Mafia boss was "pulling strings," or had control over the Colorado Mafia. Check the American Mafia website or a website that has Colorado Mafia boss's pictures and details of them .
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I am from Trinidad, CO; and how well I know about the Mafia in So Colo.
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WOW VERY INTERESTING!
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