I showed up the early 80s. Running mags told me that Shorter would run regularly with a huge group of fast guys I recognized. New Zealand Splits ads showed fashionable runners at the Mesa trailhead. Dick Quax was timing intervals at Potts. Mary Decker had an apartment.
I ran all over the town until nearly 1990, and saw none of what I said above.
Mesa NEVER had anyone else running on it. I ran Magnolia, alone every time. I saw a few fast mid-80s guys on the track here and there, during the summers, but nowhere else. Deek ran 7m miles at one 5K I ran, and that was it.
The zenith for Boulder was a LONG time ago. If you're a hotshot in the CU XC program, you'll be okay during, but maybe working at a pizza place after. It's been run out, guys. There are cooler places, nicer places, cheaper places.