DEL NORTE — Rio Grande National Forest leaders, community members, local officials and visiting supervisors gathered Wednesday morning in front of the old Del Norte High School building that has now been transformed into the new headquarters-supervisor office for the forest service.  

RGNF Public Relations Officer Gregg Goodland welcomed guests to the event as people gathered around the front of the building that also housed the Del Norte School District office. Since the residents of Del Norte passed the bond for its new campus, the district has worked closely with forest officials to save the old building and repurpose it. 

“I am excited for you to see what we have done in the building and on the property. We are going to have some fun today and we are so glad you could join us to mark this special occasion. This is a neat, and amazing feat in my eyes, we have come a long way and we are glad to be here. I think it's important that we recognize that the Rio Grande National Forest would like to acknowledge and share our pride in the fact that our forest and indeed this building here in Del Norte is situated within ancestral lands of the Ute, Navajo, Hickory Apache, and multiple Pueblo Nations. It is an honor to be here,” said Goodland. 

Goodland introduced Rio Grande Forest Supervisor Dan Dallas who spoke to the crowd about the work that went into moving the office from Monte Vista to Del Norte. 

“We had some bumps and hurdles along the way, but we are happy to welcome you to the new Rio Grande National Forest Headquarters. We spent over 50 years in the Monte Vista office and though it has been a long process to get to this historic occasion, it was due to the perseverance of so many,” said Dallas. 

Dallas thanked everyone in the audience including the Upper Rio Grande School District for the donation of the building, Rio Grande County Commissioners for their support, Andrew Perterson, Patricia Hesch, Fancina Martinez, Tom Malecek and Shoshana Cooper for their work to complete the property transfer, Meg Sullivan, Doug Wise, Todd Michael, Roger Pritchett, and Christina Schofield for their tireless work to get the new facility planned and finally to people who worked to complete the construction which included Meg Sullivan again, Jason Davis, Andy Kelher, Tanya Spanfeller, Kelly Shaw, Sheila Cross, and Kim Wheller. 

“And last but not least, a big thanks to the citizens of Del Norte and Rio Grande County. The citizens and those who attended school here said they wanted to see the buildings repurposed and it's because of them that we were able to be here today,” finished Dallas. 

Dallas then introduced Regional Forester Frank Beum. 

“I don’t think I would have had a career with the forest service if it wasn’t for the Rio Grande National Forest. I started as a seasonal worker 42 years ago. I came out here for spring break to see if I could get a job and it worked out,” he said. 

Beum talked about his work with local forest officials and how important it was to have a good working environment. 

“I welcome all of you who will be working from this office and hope it serves you well,” Beum said. 

The last speaker for the day was Upper Rio Grande School District Superintendent Aaron Horrocks who has been involved in the process since it began in 2019. Horrocks took over for previous Superintendent Chris Burr, who with the help of many community and school board members made it possible for the buildings from the old school district to be repurposed. 

“I have hopes and I have goals,” Horrocks said. “I hope this building serves you well and you find that it is a productive and positive environment. I hope that the school district through the forest service continues to foster a productive and positive relationship that supports learning in this community, and I hope the forest service has a good experience with the community of Del Norte and that their presence in town helps support the town.”