Later, he said, "I fear we are losing one trait that our forbears found indispensable — the ability not to fear change, for with change comes progress and opportunity."

All of which raises some questions:

1. What kind of risks is he talking about? Are we going to declare war on Colorado's ski resorts? Change our name to Idaho? Take the surplus and throw it on the tables in Vegas?

2. What does he mean by change? An Extreme Makeover? A new wardrobe? Makes you want to look in the mirror and check your hair, doesn't it.

3. Who is Fred Wilcox?

Give him credit for not slipping timidly into office. He says he's not the man for status quo. He's going to shake things up. Things are going to be different around here from now on — there's a new governor in town. He sounded a lot like a new football coach promising to deliver a championship.

"The nay-sayers will say it can't be done, we can't afford it," he said, ". . . to them I say, stand aside and let those who believe lead out."

So get in line, everybody, and see where the new guy takes us.

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Doug Robinson's column runs on Tuesdays. E-mail drob@desnews.com