This is the story of Homer Newcome the immigrant and how he achieved his dream of becoming a Colorado Native.

Drawn by the mountains, the legendary lifestyle and Look Magazine’s designation of Colorado as “Best of the 48 States,” Homer moved to Colorado.

Homer was an affable young man, and the Colorado Natives received him politely, even as they remained wary of his status as an outsider. Homer noticed that Natives proudly displayed bumper stickers proclaiming their status as true Colorado Natives, and they spoke in hushed tones among themselves when non-Natives were nearby. These gestures made Homer feel sad because he longed for full acceptance by his new neighbors.

Homer beseeched the Natives, “Having moved here to stay, I pledge my loyalty to Colorado. What must I do to prove myself worthy to be a Colorado Native?” The Natives answered, “True Colorado Natives were born here. This land is part of us, and we are part of this land. Stay here if you wish, but you are not a Colorado Native.”

Homer was disappointed but undeterred. Homer found a job, and through his taxes, began contributing to the local economy. After many years of working and saving, he purchased a small plot of land on which he built a sturdy home. Through property taxes, his investments in the community continued.

Once again, Homer implored the Colorado Natives, “Now that my contributions are helping our community, have my deeds not proven me worthy to be a Colorado Native?” The Natives discussed quietly before replying, “We appreciate your efforts, but we Natives are more than that. Unlike for you, this land is part of us, and we are part of this land. You are not a Colorado Native.”

In spite of rejection by the Colorado Natives, Homer pursued his dream. He married a Colorado Native woman. They gave birth to three hearty Colorado Native children who attended public schools.

More years passed. Around the time that Homer began writing checks to send his children to Colorado colleges, he once again asked the question that, so far, had brought only disappointment, but he added, “Please judge a man not by what he is, but by what he does.” The Natives huddled to discuss Homer’s life accomplishments, and they were impressed. The Native elder spoke, “For decades now, you have contributed with your labors, taxes and the fine citizens you’ve raised. But these efforts do not change what you are. This land is not part of you, and you are not part of this land, Homer Newcome.”

With this latest rejection, the lines on Homer’s face, formed from years of pursuing his dream, deepened further, but he still pushed onward. With help from his now-grown children, he purchased a Colorado business that sold gift baskets filled exclusively with Colorado-made products. He worked long hours and eventually purchased his own building for the assembly of gift baskets. Now a respected Colorado employer, Homer ran for the school board and won. He worked into the wee hours on legislation to improve the local schools.

Still, the Natives would not grant Homer the designation he so longed for. Distraught with the realization that his dream would never come true, Homer’s heart gave out.

Colorado mourned the loss of a loyal citizen with a great memorial ceremony. As they lowered Homer into the Colorado soil, the leader of the Natives proclaimed, “Now, Homer, after so many years, we are proud to accept you as one of us. This land is part of you, and you are part of this land.” And Homer was an immigrant no more.