Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – October 2003 – Colorado Central Magazine
Fire Fallout
A fire’s not over when it’s put out. South Fork is suffering damage from mudslides and sediment from runoff is killing fish and blocking roads after last year’s Million Fire. That section of the Rio Grande is — or was — known for its great trout fishing.
Water Where?
The wet stuff isn’t flowing where we need it, though. The unconfined aquifer is at its lowest level since 1975, and painful restrictions are on the horizon. As it seems the voluntary 20 percent reduction in usage this year didn’t happen, state regulation of wells is a strong possibility. Purchasing and retiring water rights, paying farmers to fallow land, and other strategies are also being considered by the Rio Grande Water Conservation District.
No Sale
New Mexico tried, but no go on the choo-choo. Our southern neighbor tried to buy Colorado’s share of the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad. Locals, including State Sen. Lewis Entz, objected, fearing the operation would pull out of Antonito, devastating the town’s economy.
Fortunately for Colorado, the railroad commission tabled the request indefinitely. The operation is hurting because the state didn’t give its usual $442,000 to the rail line this year. The Colorado Historical Society donated $245,000, helping fill the funding gap. Entz squeezed another $61,000 from the state, and the train rolls on.
The Wrath of Wood
Judge Kimberly Wood found eight people in contempt of court for not showing up for jury duty. The no-shows’ excuses ranged from “I forgot” to “I moved and didn’t get the notice.” Wood fined them each $500, suspended on the condition they donate $100 to an Alamosa County non-profit within 30 days.
Monte Buckles Down
Monte Vistans got to work last month saving their city. Two new city council members were sworn in and the grim work of tough decisions began. Layoffs have brought the city roster down to 30 employees, from 55, and the town made an intergovernmental agreement with Rio Grande County to share law enforcement duties.
Quick Blue Flu
Meanwhile in Costilla County, the sheriff’s deputies walked off the job because their paychecks were withheld. The blue flu lasted less than three hours, but tensions remain high after three years without raises. The county says it never withheld paychecks, but that payroll simply wasn’t done when the sheriff arrived to pick them up.
House Needs Home
The Hunt House, which served as Alamosa’s senior center until this year, was slated for demolition. Residents lobbied to save the historic structure at Cole Park, and want money to restore it. The Alamosa City Council offered the house a new site on the Alamosa Ranch, open space north of town.
The Victorian home was owned by Alexander Hunt, former territorial governor and director of the D&RG railroad. Hunt also served as a judge, U.S. Marshal, and superintendent of Indian affairs.
Brief Briefs
— Del Norte said “no” to Xcel Energy’s plans to build a natural gas compressor station there. The project would have been located near the new Rio Grande Hospital.
— Conejos County Commissioner Robert McCarroll died suddenly last month, during his first term. Gov. Owens appointed his son, Steve McCarroll, to fill his seat.
— Residents west of Alamosa kicked up enough fuss to end plans for a flea market in the area.
— San Luis opened a new Head Start building. The tots’ new school is adobe and 80 percent energy efficient. In Center, the Tierra Nueva farm worker housing complex opened its Migrant Head Start. A child care facility is in the works there.
— Los Caminos Antiguos got official historic signs. The interpretive signs along the 129-mile highway provide visitors info on the history, wildlife, and culture of the old trade and exploration route.
— Saguache opened a skateboard park.
