Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – May 2007 – Colorado Central Magazine
Water Woes
The water situation is still bad, despite a wet winter. Michael Sullivan, division engineer for the Colorado Division of Water Resources says irrigation will be cut 12 percent on the Rio Grande and 22 percent on the Conejos River, and their respective tributaries. The debt on the Rio Grande Compact looks to be over 150,000 acre-feet this year, he says.
Alamosa increased its water rates for city residents.
The new water management sub-district is asking users to reduce by 30 percent this year. Over-use runs about 100,000 acre-feet per year, according to the subdistrict board.
Things on the three wildlife refuges look better, thanks to a wet winter. According to Mike Blenden, refuge manager, ditch water is on in the Monte Vista and Alamosa refuges, but a little drier in the Baca refuge, due to diminished snowpack in the Sangres. All of the refuges are complying with state metering requirements.
Planning Plans
Architects planning Alamosa’s new elementary school held public meetings to get input. They asked parents — and kids — what they’d like to see in a new school. Ideas ranged from xeriscaping to a dinosaur museum.
Similarly, the planners of Monte Vista’s new Ski-Hi facility are listening to the public. The consultants sent questionnaires to every household in town, asking for input on the complex and parks and rec areas in the city.
However, Alamosa’s downtown project is drawing ire. The improvement plan includes cutting down trees along Main Street, which many consider an anti-improvement. (The city says it will plant new trees.) And the city is planning growth along U.S. 160 west of town. The city council approved a replat next to the Villa Mall to open more retail space.
Brief Briefs
At the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, the management company renewed its contract and is planning a May 26 opening.
Alamosa artist Reinord Whitt-Pritchette won first place in the National Veterans Creative Arts Competition. His seriograph, “Waitin’ on Sunday,” will be honored in Washington, D.C.
Another artist has a new cello. Kenneth Dellenbaugh’s cello was destroyed in a car accident, and the community raised funds to buy him a new one. The Creede resident has played with symphonies across America.
Dr. A.J. Taylor, director of the Rio Grande County Museum was named Citizen of the Year by the Del Norte Chamber of Commerce.
Alamosa County plans to build a new social services building. It sold the old depot and the nearby Motorway building to the Alamosa County Events and Facilities Local Marketing District, for $1.2 million. Plans for the site include SLV Development Resources Group offices, Chamber of Commerce offices, a visitors center, and railroad depot ticket office, meaning it will revert to its original use. Phase I should be done by the end of this year.
Alamosa may have commuter bus service this summer. A private company plans an hourly loop through town.
The outside of the San Luis Valley Museum is done. A ceremony marked the dedication of the facility to Ralph and Loretta Outcalt, who donated the building to the museum board. The inside exhibits should be in place in June.
Valley Community Fund is in trouble. The umbrella organization for non-profits has not made payments to member agencies since early 2006, and has lost members due to funding problems. The board is reorganizing and making cutbacks in hopes of building sustainability.
Melanie Rawlins is the new education specialist at the Great Sand Dunes. Dr. David Self is the new superintendent of the Monte Vista School District.
Freddie Jaquez is the head of the area health education center. Travis Smith, Del Norte, is the new chair of the Colorado Water Conservation Board.
LaRue Hawkins of South Fork won this year’s crane quilt. The raffle is an annual fundraiser for youth programs in Monte Vista.
Weiss Cleaners in Alamosa suffered fire damage. The blaze wasn’t serious and no items were lost, but many needed to be re-cleaned.
A controlled burn leapt out of control and blazed about 200 acres north of Blanca
