Development group honored for protecting water resources

Saguache County Commissioner Tom McCracken accepting the 2024 American Planning Award Colorado Honor Award.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — On Oct. 3, the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group and Council of Governments, was honored with the 2024 American Planning Award Colorado Honor Award in the Growing Water Smart category. Commissioner Tom McCracken of Saguache County accepted the award at the conference.

Another packed agenda for city council

As the city considers new rules at St. Benedict homeless encampment, the photograph, provided by the city, is a visual representation of what a ‘clean campsite’ looks like. It also includes a tent, which is the only structure to be allowed under the proposed rules.

ALAMOSA — Alamosa City Council is slated to take up a number of issues at this week’s meeting, including passage of the 2025 budget and pay raises for city employees. Since the council is taking a final vote on these issues, time is allotted for public comment prior to the vote. Details on both the proposed budget and pay raises can be found online at www.alamosanews.com or in the Oct. 2 print edition of the Valley Courier.

Ballots mailed this week

A ballot drop box at the Clerk and Recorder’s office at 8999 Independence Way in Alamosa.

ALAMOSA — In what is the first step to the conclusion of the most closely watched campaign season in recent memory, voter ballots for people living in Alamosa County will be mailed the middle of this week, according to the Alamosa County Clerk’s office.

ASD, city council negotiating placement of school downtown

ALAMOSA — Executive staff and board members with the Alamosa School District (ASD) met with Alamosa City Council members and city staff Wednesday night. The work session, which lasted several hours, was held to determine how ASD goes forward with purchasing property downtown to use as a site for two schools and administrative offices.

Photo of Harris-Walz sign vandalized along Highway 160.

Political signs stolen, vandalized

SAN LUIS VALLEY — “I’ve been with the Democratic Party for 18 years, and I’ve never seen or heard of anything like this.” That was part of a statement made by a spokesman for the Alamosa Democratic Party in response to numerous reports of Harris/Walz yard signs being vandalized or stolen off people’s private property.

La Jara names Swartz as its new police chief

LA JARA – The Town of La Jara recently announced the hiring of three new police officers. Former Chief of Police Jerry Lujan has retired as of July after serving the town for the past 26 years, the last 7 years as chief. The newly hired chief is Michael Swartz, originally from New York and raised in Colorado. He is a graduate of the Glenwood Springs Spring Valley Police Academy in 2014. He has several years of experience in various law enforcement roles.

Flowers and a photo await the new owners of a house recently completed and purchased through the program.

Front Range leaders, legislators tour SLV highlights

SAN LUIS VALLEY — Rep. Matt Martinez (D-62) brought a group of visitors from Denver to tour the San Luis Valley, including a bipartisan cohort of four fellow legislators from the State House and representatives from 40 powerhouse businesses in Colorado.

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Alamosa commissioners receive balanced budget

ALAMOSA — At the Oct. 9 meeting of the Alamosa County Board of County Commissioners, Maricruz Mora, Controller, presented a preliminary 2025 budget which is balanced. Expenditures in the operating budget are $57 million, revenue $53 million with the difference coming from budget reserves.

Workers have been constructing a new Town Plaza in San Luis.

San Luis is creating an outdoor plaza

SAN LUIS — The community, along with workers from Baha Construction and Ayres Associates, have been actively involved in constructing a new public plaza in San Luis. According to Teddy Leinbach, Assistant Town Manager of San Luis, "The new San Luis Town Plaza is being constructed so that we have a centrally located gathering point within our small town."

Enterprise Zone training held in Alamosa

ALAMOSA — Sarah Stoeber, Executive Director of the San Luis Valley Development Resources Group and Council of Governments (left) and Alamosa County Commissioner Lori Laske (right) welcome representatives from an Enterprise Zone Administrators Retreat on Oct. 8.

The Firewise program in Saguache County can help homeowners prepare for wildfires.

Saguache County Firewise program enters its 16th year

In 2009, Sam Pace, then a Saguache County commissioner, asked Daniel Johnson, a local firefighter with years of wildfire experience to be involved in a new program called Firewise, to help residents living in forested county areas prepare for wildfires. Up to that point, his experience protecting houses was when a roaring fire was approaching, and we had to decide which houses might survive if we put in some quick work before the flames arrived.

AVSAR rescue on Ellingwood on Aug. 4

Antonito blasted by La Veta, 60-12

ANTONITO – It was a tough day for the Antonito High School football team Saturday when it hosted La Veta at the AHS field. The Trojans had almost half of their team on the injured list and …

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Alamosa volleyball wins league title

ALAMOSA – The Alamosa High School volleyball team concluded Intermountain League play this past weekend with a trip over Wolf Creek Pass and against Bayfield and Montezuma-Cortez. The Lady Mean …

City water building brought to life by local artist

Cheryl Morris painted the playful mural on the City of Monte Vista’s water building on Highway 285 near the new O’Reilly’s Auto Parts building in Monte Vista.

MONTE VISTA – On Highway 285, nestled near the new O’Reilly’s Auto Parts building, a water building that belongs to the City of Monte Vista has come to life. Multiple adorable …

Dahlia Festival: a blooming success

More than 200 people attended the first-ever ‘Dahlia Festival’ at Bloomstead Farms near Del Norte, witnessing a number of varieties of the national flower of Mexico.

DEL NORTE – This past weekend, Bloomstead Farms in Del Norte held its first-ever Dahlia Festival on Aug. 23-24, marking a momentous occasion for both the farm and the local community. …

Center Consolidated School District hosts community open house

Jazmine Pena sitting at a table enjoying Center Consolidated School District’s community open house with her kids on Aug. 15.

CENTER – More than 200 people attended the community open house on Thursday, Aug. 15, at the Center Consolidated School District. The school district hosted the open house with …

This old backpack now serves as a go-bag and resides in the back of a vehicle. Water and a sleeping bag are also ready.

Prepare for emergency evacuations now

SAN LUIS VALLEY — As wildland fires rage in Colorado and throughout the West, the time to prepare for an evacuation is now, and a simple to-go bag is an excellent first step. Wildfires can …

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CRHC celebrates Safety Net Clinic Week in Alamosa

Pictured left to right, Alamosa County Commissioner Lori Laske, Alamosa City Councilor Dawn Krebs, Colorado State Representative Matthew Martinez, SLVH Special Projects Manager Becky Daniels, Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman, and Colorado Rural Health Associate Director for Outreach Matthew Enquist.

ALAMOSA – Colorado Rural Health Center staff travelled to Alamosa recently to host a luncheon aimed at celebrating Colorado’s rural safety net clinics during this year’s Annual …