Becky Osterwald has begun working at the Valley Courier this week. She was the managing editor at The Villager in Greenwood Village the past three years and has owned her own newspaper, the Eastern Colorado Plainsman in Hugo, for 18 years.

Born and raised in Denver, Osterwald has a long history of visiting the San Luis Valley. Her father, Frank Osterwald, was a narrow gauge fan and hauled the family to “Narrow Gauge Country” to chase steam engines. Her mother, Doris, however, was the one that made money. In 1964 she published her first guidebook on the Durango and Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad. Before her death, she also wrote guidebooks on the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, Royal Gorge, and Leadville and Colorado Southern. Her last book, Sand and Smoke, A Mile by Mile Guide for the San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad between Alamosa and La Veta she wrote with Becky.

“I’m pleased to find someone with Becky’s experience,” said Courier publisher Keith R. Cerny. “Especially with her history and knowledge of the San Luis Valley.”