Dump gets 'mascot'
Stinker gets respect at new home
Friday, February 23, 2001
Steamboat Springs — Folks walking into the office at the Milner Landfill this week were taking a step back.
"Whoa," said C.B. Jensen when confronted with the landfill's new mascot, Stinker.
Employees at the landfill have been getting a big kick out of watching people's reactions when their new pet skunk greets customers.
"He's a pretty social guy really," said Landfill Manager Doug Bell.
Jensen was surprised to learn Stinker hadn't been de-scented.
"If you get him mad, will he spray you?" he asked workers.
"I don't know, I haven't made him mad yet," Bell said with a laugh.
Bell said Stinker was raised by a Steamboat man who found him as a baby in the middle of the road.
"His new wife made him get rid of it because it snapped at her," Bell said.
Bell said a friend of his took in the skunk but the nocturnal creature kept everyone awake at night.
Bell offered to make Stinker a home at the landfill. He even has his own dog carrier and eats cat food.
"I'll try to reintroduce him to the wild this summer," Bell said.
Equipment operator Wayne Miles said Stinker will have plenty of company.
"Waste Management can tell you stories of skunks as big as dogs out there," Miles said.
As for how Stinker will affect the Milner Landfill's reputation.
"It will probably improve it," Bell laughed. "I don't think it could hurt it."
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