Brief by Marcia Darnell
San Luis Valley – April 2005 – Colorado Central Magazine
Moral Minority
This year’s business licenses in Alamosa County come with a bonus — a warning that the license can be revoked on the basis of “public morals.” Many business owners are upset by the vague threat, pointing out that “public morals” is in the eye of the beholder. The county assured everyone that due process would be followed before a business license is yanked.
The same week that assurance was issued, Alamosa Police raided a store for selling adult merchandise. The business is still open, but several items were confiscated. The city council is mulling a change in the Alamosa sign ordinance to address the store’s sign, which features the nude back of a woman.
Changing Faces, Places
Alamosa is growing again. The City Council approved a new development, south and west of Eighth Street; and two annexations, at Carroll and Cielo Azul, and at U.S. 285 and Co-op Road. Re-zoning is also on tap for Stadium and Carroll, to accommodate a new assisted living center.
To preserve the past amid the changes, the city is working with the citizenry to find a way to preserve the facade of the Rialto Theater. The building was irreparably damaged by fire in December 2003, but the historic front remains.
Runoff Reality
The snowpack in the Rio Grande Basin is at 145 percent, the best in six years. But hold the party. More than one-third of that will be owed to New Mexico under the Rio Grande Compact. Much of the rest will quickly be slurped by depleted aquifers. That means water woes will continue for the farms and ranches in the Valley, with dry wells for many homeowners.
Ironically, the Valley is in danger of floods this spring due to high runoff. River channels are not as clear as they used to be, so high run off could mean flooding. However, Alamosa’s levee has been judged safe and sturdy enough to hold this year’s runoff.
In any case, the Rio Grande Water Users Association voted to begin diversions on April 4.
Brief Briefs
* Del Norte architect Mark Jones (profiled in Colorado Central March 2001) has sold his firm to R. Keith Helmstetler.
* The Alamosa Senior Center is facing a $20,000 budget shortfall this year.
* Homelake, the state veterans’ home and cemetery, has formed a foundation to fund preservation and restoration projects.
* Alamosan Arnold Salazar is the new director of Colorado Health Partnerships.
* Noah’s Ark Children’s Center in La Jara celebrated its 20th birthday.
* The Rocky Mountain Theatre Association competition recognized two Adams State College students, Tony Buckley for scene design, and Dain Lewis, for acting.
* Carol Redding was appointed to the Alamosa Ranch Advisory Board.
* The Great Sand Dunes National Park opened an education room in its new visitor center. Groups can book programs, and exhibits will be on display.
* Sierra Grande School in Blanca held a book drive, netting over 1,000 volumes. The books will become stock in a student-run bookstore, giving kids the opportunity to read, learn, and make money.
* There’s now a DVD to promote tourism in the San Luis Valley. The disc costs $3 and is available at Rio Grande County businesses.
* The DOW plans to import moose from Utah and release them near Creede.
* Dr. Norman Haug of Del Norte received the Harold Williamson Award for his volunteer service.
* Water rates in Alamosa will rise 5 percent.
* The ASC library is now the repository for the records of the Terrace Irrigation Company. The historic documents and maps date back to 1904.
* Human remains were found near Bountiful in Conejos County. Info on identity and cause of death have not been released.