By Virginia McConnell Simmons

The Roaring Twenties, the Charleston, and the speakeasies never happened as far as folks in the San Luis Valley could tell, but on the whole, this high valley was not dry.

In the 1920s, the agricultural economy was limping everywhere and mining was severely crippled at places like Creede; and that was before the market crashed and the mines shut down completely in 1929. As if that were not bad enough, this was the era of Prohibition. In fact, it had already begun in 1916 in some of Colorado’s cities and towns, where reformers outnumbered rugged individualists. Read the rest of this article

By Patty LaTaille

Solar Damages?

Is Ron Briggs in a position to claim property damages due to Saguache County’s decision to permit California-based SolarReserve to build a concentrated solar power planet directly across from his property north of Center? Saguache County courts are willing to consider his case against the county, and it could be on its way to trial.

Attorney Jessica Muzzio, representing Saguache County, has filed a motion to dismiss, claiming Briggs is not entitled to the $7,500 in damages he is seeking on the basis of the county’s sovereign immunity and his failure to file a complaint in district court within 28 days of the re-zoning decision. The county authorized the SolarReserve 1041 permit on April 3. Read the rest of this article

By Bill Hatcher

Sherlock Holmes is, perhaps, the most famous detective of all time. Recently, he has received renewed attention in film and on television.

However, a different sort of detective has been investigating a real-life enigma here in central Colorado for the past eight years. And if his pursuit seems less glamorous than what happens on the silver screen, his findings have been no less dramatic. This detective is a geologist who has been solving the riddles of a local super-volcano. Doctor Peter Lipman taught geology at Colorado State University in the 1970s, but has been a research scientist since then. He’s now 77 and officially retired. Still, his passion for rocks takes him high into the mountains each summer. And as he told the story, I imagined him puffing on a pipe like Sherlock, pondering. Read the rest of this article

By Patty LaTaille

Trinchera Ranch – Soon to be an Amazing Legacy

Trinchera Ranch owner and conservationist Louis Bacon announced his intended donation of the 90,000-acre Blanca Ranch conservation easement located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Bacon owns the Blanca and Trinchera Ranches located north and east of Fort Garland. According to the Valley Courier, during his announcement, Bacon said, “This action will protect the Blanca Ranch in perpetuity and create a key connection in the large, diverse system of protected lands here along the Sangre de Cristo range and in the San Luis Valley.” He was applauded by SLV residents, in addition to Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Director Dan Ashe. Read the rest of this article

By Phillip Benningfield

Most of us, if fairly avid outdoors folks, have strolled along the Colorado Trail, the Continental Divide Trail and the easy-to-get-to trails surrounding our little mountain towns. What we miss by taking the well-trodden routes – although these aforementioned trails are superb – is the personal gratification we find when our minds are fulfilled. We feel the need to see what is around the next ridge, what is over the next pass, what sublime view we might otherwise miss. The selections here are certainly known by the more adventurous who can’t get enough of Colorado’s fine offerings. If you have not seen the rock formations in and around La Garita or even further along the off-the-beaten path, then pack a lunch and dinner, take plenty of water and do not plan on getting home on time. A detailed road atlas and/or gazetteer will show all the necessary roads. Read the rest of this article

By Ann Marie Swan

Milagros means miracles in Spanish. Fittingly, a miracle would be helpful right about now to keep Milagros Coffeehouse on Main Street in Alamosa. The lease ends this year and this beauty of a building is for sale.

All profits from Milagros support the nonprofit La Puente, which means the bridge. La Puente’s mission is to feed, clothe and shelter people in the San Luis Valley. Milagros, in the center of town, is a public relations storefront for La Puente’s work. Other La Puente enterprises include a motel, two thrift stores and a boutique.

The nonprofit’s message doesn’t appear on Milagros’ exterior, a red-brick historical treasure. The philosophy is experience the place first, then learn of the mission later. Read the rest of this article

By Magda Sokolowski

Since the day we met on a rutabaga farm more than ten years ago, my husband Michael and I have shared a dream of one day homesteading. Over the years, one variation of what this would look like gave way to another as we nurtured and fed our idea of greater self-sufficiency. Sometimes, we imagined a farm with goats from whose milk we would make cheese. The idea of a large organic garden and a seasonal vegetable market was always a favorite standby in our musings, and then sometimes, I found myself in one particular reverie that came back again and again: I had visions of myself sitting at a desk, breaking from the task of writing to look out the window of our hand-built cabin onto a large meadow with a sisterhood of peaks in the distance demanding attention. And to the left (or right) of the cabin, in a patch of piñons (or maybe they would be Douglas firs or Ponderosa), I could see Michael bear the axe down on a round of wood that would soon become our heat. Read the rest of this article

by Patty LaTaille

An Update to the Saguache Solar Saga

SolarReserve, an international alternative energy company, applied for a permit to set up a 200-megawatt solar power-generating facility – consisting of two 100-megawatt, 656-foot tall solar thermal power generating units based on concentrating solar-thermal power technology that uses molten salt. Approximately 4,000 acres of a larger 6,200-acre area of privately owned county land, located north of Center between Saguache County Roads D and G and 53 and 57, are being considered for the location for the facility. Read the rest of this article

Story and photos by Kenneth Jessen

There are well over 1,500 ghost towns in Colorado. Many are abandoned mining camps spread out over the western half of the state. Among the most obscure is Duncan, located along the western base of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains.

The history of Duncan started in 1874 when John Duncan followed an old trail over Medano Pass into the San Luis Valley. At the mouth of Pole Creek, he discovered some “float,” or gold-bearing ore, that had washed down from the mountains. He constructed a durable cabin made of hand-hewn logs locked tightly together with corner notches. As word got out other prospectors were attracted to the area, and in 1890 a town grew up around his cabin. Duncan then turned from prospector to town promoter, laid out the town of Duncan, and sold lots for $25 each. Read the rest of this article

by Patty LaTaille

Update on the La Veta Pass Transmission Power Struggle

In the latest round of opposition to the utility companies promoting a new transmission line proposal, an employee of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC), Engineer and renewable energy expert Richard Mignogna recently testified regarding the Public Service Company’s application to amend its 2007 Colorado Resource Plan to modify/delay solar resource acquisition.

According to the Valley Courier, Mignogna recommended the PUC approve the request to defer acquisition of 250 megawatts concentrating solar power until the 2011 Electric Resource Plan process. He claimed “the San Luis Valley to Calumet to Comanche transmission line will affect solar resource development in the Valley, the solar market has changed, and it might be beneficial to a pursue smaller project, such as 50 megawatts.” Read the rest of this article

Don Richmond has been performing in the Colorado-New Mexico area since about 1970. He has released six solo recording projects and has played with a number of bands including Tumbleweed and The Rifters. He has composed and recorded musical soundtracks for three documentary films seen nationally and internationally.

Don also owns and runs a recording studio in Alamosa, Howlin’ Dog Recording and is the author of a book, “Getting Your Music Past the Fear.” His most recent CD is called “Like Lazarus.” Read the rest of this article

by Patty LaTaille

Show Us the $

Formal notice has been sent to Tessera that its solar project application is suspended until the terms of the escrow agreement with Saguache County are met. The agreement with Tessera includes maintaining a $15,000 escrow account to cover expenses incurred by the county to process the application. To move its application forward, Tessera is required to pay for those expenses and keep a positive balance in the escrow account. The company needs to add to the account, as there are several expenses outstanding. Read the rest of this article

by Virginia McConnell Simmons

At times, people like to feel assured that some things will never change. For instance, God’s in his heaven, the Big Dipper points north, and if you go east or west on the 39th parallel, you can take a swim somewhere around the Mediterranean Sea or fry an egg on a rock in Death Valley. Unless you are picky, and geographers do tend to be picky.

Take the 37th parallel north for instance. For 146 years this parallel has been a border running 761 miles between Kansas and Oklahoma, Colorado and New Mexico, and Utah and Arizona, but in 2009 the line was moved 365 feet south. Saving state legislatures and assessors’ offices a lot of trouble, the state line now is N 36?59.939. Whether the bronze disk marking the Four Corners will be moved remains to be seen. Read the rest of this article

by Bill Hatcher

I mean, how hard could it be? You take some seeds, you put them in the ground, add a little water, make sure they get plenty of sun, and voila! Instant veggies for garnishing every meal! Maybe give a few to friends. Maybe even sell some at the local farmer’s market.
That was back in March. And now, well, I guess my little experiment in gardening now looks more like an attempt made by early hunter-gatherers. But thank God there are several intrepid local farmers willing to provide the rest of us poor Neanderthals with some of their sunshine-fresh bounty. Read the rest of this article

Unfair Hunting Practices

Someone poached five deer on the Adams State College campus April 22. The three mule deer and two fawns were shot and stabbed at the south end of campus. The college has offered $2,500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the poacher(s), matching the reward offered by the Humane Society. Read the rest of this article

by Susan Tweit

Driving across the San Luis Valley recently, Richard and I spotted groups of sandhill cranes probing the stubble of harvested fields for seeds and insects. Standing four feet tall, with wide gray wings, long, skinny legs, and necks outstretched, these birds are unmistakable.

They’re also part of this improbable high-desert-and-marsh landscape. Twice a year, some 20,000 sandhill cranes, essentially the entire population that migrates along the Rocky Mountains, descend on the San Luis Valley on their thousand-or-more-mile long migration between nesting grounds as far north as Alberta and wintering habitat as far south as Mexico. Read the rest of this article

by Marcia Darnell

Back to Work

The lockout at Harborlite Corp. is over, and 29 union workers are back on the job. The lockout began Oct. 8 when negotiations between the plant owners and the Teamsters broke down. Both sides say issues remain, but resolution is closer. Harborlite operates a perlite mine 20 miles southeast of Antonito and a mill in the town. Read the rest of this article

Eco News

December storms that ravaged the rest of the country were kind to the mid Valley: lotsa cold, little snow on the ground, but good snowpack. According to the Division of Water Resources, the Rio Grande Basin went from below normal to above normal snowpack in about a week. Read the rest of this article

By Marcia Darnell

Enviro News
The proposed super-power line over La Veta Pass is garnering protest from residents on both sides of the mountain range. Opponents say the Valley doesn’t need more power and that the project is an eyesore and a threat to wildlife habitat. According to federal standards, the project will require an environmental impact statement, so public comment will be heard. Read the rest of this article

by Marcia Darnell

Election First

Alamosa will have its first woman mayor, following Kathy Rogers’ election Nov. 3. Alamosa voters also voted no on a new aquatic center, raises for city council members, and opening city boards to non-residents.

Saguache County voters voted to take on more debt to get a BEST grant for the Crestone Charter School, while Mineral County said no to a tax increase for its community center.

In Monte Vista, Art Medina will be the new mayor, while Conejos County voted down increased funds for its hospital.

Read the rest of this article

by Marcia Darnell

Sad but True

One of the Valley’s greatest mysteries has been solved. The whereabouts of Danice Day, missing since January 2002, have been resolved. Remains uncovered in Arizona were confirmed to be the 19-year-old waitress from Monte Vista. Her romantic partner, Victor Braun, 33, who directed authorities to the remains, has been charged with manslaughter.

Read the rest of this article

New National Guard Base Planned

ALAMOSA- A new Colorado Army National Guard readiness center and base is in the works for Alamosa.

The facility will house the new Delta Company, 1st of the 157th Infantry Battalion and will also serve as a temporary armory and recruiting station. Read the rest of this article

Natural Gas Exploration in Baca on Hold Until Ruling

CRESTONE – Toronto-based Lexam Explorations has agreed not to drill for gas on the Baca National Wildlife Refuge until a federal judge rules on an environmental groups’ request for a preliminary injunction on drilling.

The groups are seeking an injunction to block any ground-disturbing activity on the 92,500-acre refuge until the lawsuit is resolved. Read the rest of this article

by Bill Hatcher

photos by Mike Rosso

It happens without fail every September. Driving down a county road where I live in the northern San Luis Valley, I am given yet another opportunity to ruminate on why I love living here so much. No, not it’s magnificent scenery. Instead, the little reminder of pastoral patience I’m referring to lumbers along over cloven hooves, tended by that durable American icon, the rancher-cowboy, reins or twist-throttle held loosely in gloved hands. Read the rest of this article

To the Editor;

San Luis Valley residents continue to stand up against development and intrusion. Current battles against Wolf Creek ski area growth and Crestone gas drilling follow previous campaigns against military training overflights and groundwater exportation/exploitation. More recently, Villa Grove residents blocked a local contractor’s bid to operate a gravel pit near the town. Read the rest of this article

Solar Farm on tap for 2010

ALAMOSA – A new solar farm is scheduled to be installed across from the current Sun Edison solar farm near Mosca on Hwy 17. The 200-acre project, to be built in 2010, is projected to produce 17 megawatts of sun-generated power and 48,000 megawatt hours by 2011.

Sun Power hopes to create 50 local jobs during the construction phase with several longer-term positions after completion. Read the rest of this article

By Marcia Darnell

Water Woes West

Now it’s Monte Vista with a water weakness. The town had to perform a chlorine flush after tests showed coliform bacteria in the system. Monte Vista is asking residents to reduce outdoor watering during the Big Flush. It seems more water in the system means a more effective cleansing. Read the rest of this article

By Marcia Darnell

Here Come da’ Judges

The Supremes came to the Valley for Courts in the Community. The program transported the Colorado Supreme Court to Alamosa High School to hear arguments in a real case before students. The kids had a chance to ask questions of the attorneys involved after the justices adjourned. Read the rest of this article

Second solar plant on tap for the Valley

DENVER- Xcel Energy and Sun Power Corp. have announced an agreement to build a 17-megawatt AC photovoltaic (PV) solar power plant in Alamosa County.

The power plant will be the second largest high-efficiency solar PV power plant in North America and is expected to be completed by the end of 2010. The project could employ as many as 200 workers during construction. Read the rest of this article

Update on the Lexam drilling project

by David Bright

CRESTONE -The fight to stop Lexam Exploration, Inc. from drilling three 14,000 wells in the Baca Wildlife Refuge has been going on for over two and a half years. The most recent development is an agreement reached between Lexam, The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the San Luis Valley Ecosystem that will give the organizations working on the issue more time to find a permanent solution. The agreement will be in place until August 1, 2009. It will “cease all construction activities on the Lexam Road” (a road owned by Lexam that crosses the refuge) and stop any other work on access roads and well pads from beginning. Read the rest of this article

Governor, new Senator visit Alamosa

by Marcia Darnell

ALAMOSA – It is a rare event that draws 150 small town residents to see and hear a couple of politicians on a weekday afternoon. But concern over losing a hometown hero in the U.S. Senate looms large, so the meeting room in Alamosa was standing room only. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – February 2009 – Colorado Central Magazine

Old is New Again

The Costilla County Courthouse has a new look. Funds from the Department of Local Affairs, the state historical fund and the county have given the state’s oldest courthouse a $1.9 million renovation. The project began in 2000, and the courthouse is scheduled to open for business in late January 2009. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – January 2009 – Colorado Central Magazine

Boom Time

A home under construction in South Fork exploded while workers were inside. The house, being built for Doug Adams, was destroyed in the blast which sent eight workers to area hospitals. The cause of the explosion is undetermined as yet. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – December 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Election Over

Following the national trend, voter turnout was huge in the Valley, including a 92 percent return in Alamosa County and a record 90 percent in Saguache County.

David Mahonee is the new DA for the SLV. The Democrat was a deputy DA earlier. Democrat Edward Vigil beat Randy Jackson for a seat in the state house, and Alamosa voters said yes to more money for schools. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – November 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

VIP Visit

Alamosa is officially on the map. The political map. International diplomat Bill Richardson, governor of New Mexico, made an appearance at the Alamosa Farmers Market.

The Guv was there to campaign for Barack Obama and encourage voter registration. He reviewed Obama’s plans for improving the economy and human rights, and noted McCain’s position to renegotiate water compacts in the West. He stated that New Mexicans have coined a new term for electing the senator from Illinois: Obamanos! Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – October 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Fall Pols

Rep. Mark Udall stumped through the Valley, campaigning for a U.S. Senate seat. Udall and Rep. John Salazar spoke together, promising to end the wars; create a “humane” immigration policy; and develop a clean energy strategy that will produce new jobs. The two also stressed health care, saying, “We need every American to be healthy so he or she can make a contribution.” Expanded benefits for farmers and veterans were also prioritized. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – September 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Board Brouhaha

The Alamosa City Council is taking a hard look at its advisory boards. The city has three discretionary boards, the city’s ranch, arboreal and historic preservation boards.

“These are advisory boards,” explained City manager Nathan Cherpeski, “and the city council didn’t feel they were getting the advice they were looking for.” Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – August 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

High and Dry

The San Luis Valley escaped major flooding this year, despite a very large snowpack. Thanks go to Mother Nature, which sent alternating warm spells and cold blasts throughout the spring, ensuring a slow, gentle runoff. Now that the water supply is safe for this growing season, residents can begin worrying about next year. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – July 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

No Splashing

Splashland, the swimming pool and Alamosa institution, will not open this summer. Years of inadequate maintenance and an embezzling director have left the facility broke and noncompliant with state health codes. Supporters are planning fundraisers to restore the public pool. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – June 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Crisis Continues

The fallout from Alamosa’s salmonella contamination goes on. The final cost, estimated at $600,000, is being alleviated by funding from several sources. The state Dept. of Local Affairs is kicking in a $50,000 grant and the Colorado Health Foundation is giving $50,000 to the county nursing service. However, the crisis uncovered other problems — and expenses. Many of the city’s water pipes are of the ancient iron variety, and will need to be replaced. In addition, Alamosa needs a new water storage tank. The state is giving the city $1 million for it, but the total cost will be about $2.5 million. State Sen. Gail Schwartz and the Salazar brothers all say they’re trying to get more money for Alamosa. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – May 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

The Other Cheek

Officials of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints traveled to San Luis to apologize for one of their own. Three Mormon missionaries vandalized a statue at the stations of the cross in San Luis. The apologists were not met with Christian forgiveness, however. Several residents demanded that the men — and the church — leave town. Their response seems to have ignited more controversy than the original crime. Despite the Catholic bishop’s request for forgiveness, feelings still run hot. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – April 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

WCV Win

It’s a win-for-now for opponents of Wolf Creek Village. A court settlement requires the U.S. Forest Service to redo the environmental impact statement. The agency will do the new EIS itself, instead of outsourcing, like last time. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – March 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Eco News

It should be a good year for water users in the Valley. The heavy snowfall this winter means a snowpack far above average, and plenty of the wet stuff to go around. Allen Davey, water engineer for the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, reported that the Valley’s aquifer recovered quite a bit last year. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – February 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Citizens Rise from Dead

Citizens for San Luis Valley Water lives! The non-profit formed to combat AWDI’s proposed water exports is back, this time battling the seekers of oil and natural gas. The group will sponsor the Water Preservation Coalition. Read the rest of this article

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley – January 2008 – Colorado Central Magazine

Forbes Sells Out

The “Capitalist Tool” won’t be seen swooping into the Alamosa airport much anymore. The Forbes Trinchera Ranch has been sold for $175 million. Louis Moore Bacon, chairman of Moore Capital Management, is the new owner of the 171,400-acre parcel near Fort Garland. Moore’s spokesman describes him as an environmentalist and conservationist. Read the rest of this article