Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – August 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Colville Legacy Lives
Ruth Marie Colville has died at age 99. The historian, teacher, writer, musician, and rancher influenced many in the San Luis Valley and is credited with bridging the gap between the white and Hispanic populations last century. Her works include La Vereda: A Trail through Time, one of the best books about the Valley’s history, and the founding of the SLV Historical Society.
Water Rerouted
The water forum sponsored by Action 22 has been reslated for Aug. 8 in Pueblo. Speakers will include Lola Spradley, speaker of the state house, and Terry Scanga of the Upper Arkansas River Conservancy District. For more info or to register, call 888-799-1799 or visit Action22.org.
Bang-Bang
Here’s something you don’t see on the Front Range: private, not public hunting prohibited on state land. The La Jara land trust’s 41,000 acres surrounding La Jara Reservoir will not become a private hunting ground. Rumors circulated after the state land board decided to create some private reserves in other parts of the state. Public hunting will still be allowed on the land, known for its abundant elk, Bighorn sheep, small game and fish.
Sold!
Union Pacific has sold its rail lines in Alamosa to RailAmerica. The 150 miles of lines in the Alamosa and Antonito subdivisions will be under the management of San Luis & Rio Grande Railroad.
Heir Victory
Speaking of reserves, heirs to La Sierra, a.k.a. the Taylor Ranch, don’t have to pay for pricey real estate abstracts to prove their claims on the property. The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed an earlier ruling that heirs need only show that their lands were settled when the ranch was parceled out by Terr. Gov. William Gilpin.
RiGHT On
In other land news, the Rio Grande Headwaters Land Trust has helped save the 450-acre Hanna Ranch near Del Norte. Originally homesteaded in the mid-1800s, the land holds an ancient Native American burial ground as well as the original homestead and outbuildings and much wildlife.
Deeper and Deeper
Monte Vista’s financial woes grow worse. The city attorney, Gene Farish, is questioning the legality of the loan the city got from a local bank. The $250,000 line of credit, already exhausted, is secured by city hall as collateral. Farish questions whether the transaction violates the state constitution, TABOR, and the city charter. The city council had a special meeting to discuss the issues and debate restructuring the loan.
The city finance director and the city manager were both placed on paid administrative leave, pending investigation of the city’s finances.
As if they didn’t have enough problems, the city council annexed an enclave west of the city, over the objections of the owners there. Seems they’re concerned about Monte Vista being able to provide services, given its financial mess.
City Sees the Light
Frustrated Alamosa drivers are happy to hear that the city may install a light at the crosswalk on First Street on the Adams State campus. Cars are typically backed up for blocks waiting for students to cross between classes. A pedestrian-activated signal would cost about $50,000 and take at least a month to install.
Brief Briefs
The Holiday Inn is no more. The hotel at U.S. 160 and 285 is now the Inn of the Rio Grande Hotel and Conference Center.
Changes: Dr. Barbara Medina was named director of teacher education at Adams State College. Margaret Morris, the director of Alamosa’s library, left for New Orleans. In Del Norte, school superintendent Rob Imes resigned and Robert Jenkins left his superintendent post at South Conejos district.
Alamosa school bus jockey Noel Harlan was named Driver of the Year. He’s logged over 750,000 miles without an accident.
The Alamosa Ranch, which belongs to the city, has an advisory board. Members Greg Goodwin, Joel Kaufman, Maureen Orr, Hobart Dixon, and Tom Gilmore will help manage the property.
A Sanford resident has published My Great Experience, chronicling his time during the Korean War. Meanwhile, a group of Valley veterans wants to rename three streets in Alamosa to honor POWs and MIAs from that conflict.
Legendary ASC track coach Dr. Joe Vigil was inducted into the RMAC Hall of Fame.
Alamosa celebrated its 125th birthday in June. The party had a railroad theme, marking the origins of a city that came by train.
Alamosa’s new rec center opened. The 23,000-square-foot facility cost $3.3 million to build.
