However, there is a considerable downside to repetition of a class that studies regional controversies on site. Community speakers get tired or even angry when they see the college is not taking a stand on issues they are very invested in, but rather giving equal value to all sides of a conflict. This problem has become significant enough to discontinue the study of the San Luis Valley situation. The region of interest for this class will be changed to Summit county, where ski area expansion will provide fuel for the academic flame. Once the preparation barrier is overcome, there are countless problems that are bound to arise on the trip itself.
Students get sick, lost, and into trouble with the law.
Hecox makes it clear to his class before they leave that they will be representing Colorado College to outsiders. For some the trip is a burden, which makes organizing the group difficult. Hecox sees this thinking as absurd, since Colorado College is already of international repute. Resistance to getting the school involved in surrounding communities only robs us of rich teaching and learning possibilities. To this Hecox responded that until recently, this class has not required any extra budget.