A cloud-covered week in the forecast, keeping daily high temperatures in the low 80s and comfortable.
The national oceanic three-month forecast into September shows below-average precipitation July into September. Here’s more to start the week:
1. Preliminary annual river flows
Based on spring runoff, the Colorado Division of Water Resources is showing a preliminary annual flow on the Rio Grande at Del Norte of 475,000 acre-feet and 245,000-acre feet on the upper Conejos River. Both are far below the heavy runoff from 2023 which becomes evident in the amount of water Colorado is expected to deliver downstream to New Mexico in 2024. Based on the preliminary 2024 annual flows, Colorado will owe 119,500 acre-feet or 25 percent of the estimate on the Rio Grande and 72,000 acre-feet or 29 percent from the Conejos. A year ago Colorado delivered 208,000 acre-feet or 29 percent of the Rio Grande annual flow and 200,000-acre feet or 47 percent from the high-running Conejos in 2023.
2. Findings on the tall fence in San Luis
Tucked in the very fine article by Owen Woods on state AG Phil Weiser’s community meeting in San Luis last week on the high fence Cielo Vista ranch owner William Harrison is having constructed is the fact that the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment conducted an on-site inspection of the fence on June 10 and 11. “During the inspection the inspectors observed disturbed areas, including steep slopes, without control measures to prevent erosion sediment discharges from the construction activity,” CDPHE marketing and communication specialist John Michael told Woods. It’s an important step and one we’ll continue to track. Here’s the full story from San Luis.
3. Weiser on The Valley Pod
We had the attorney general on The Valley Pod and discussed a host of issues from the sale of Safeway to recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings on homeless encampments and the Rio Grande Compact. The topic, though, we hope you’ll listen and pay particular attention to is the conversation around Alamosa and community safety. We hit on Alamosa and the fact it’s home to regional state community corrections operations, regional state probationary services and regional homeless services and how those factors contribute to the feeling of safety and perceptions Alamosans have on just how safe their town is. Listen in, and let us know what you think.
4. Colorado Citizen
It’s the new label we’re giving stories we pick up that are of statewide interest and you can find on AlamosaCitizen.com. Here’s an example: Colorado has identified three presumptive positive cases of avian flu in workers responding to the avian flu outbreak at a commercial egg layer operation in northeast Colorado, according to the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Specimens from the state public health laboratory have been sent to Centers for Disease Control for confirmatory testing. None of the individuals were hospitalized. State health officials remind the public it is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry products. The proper handling and cooking of poultry, meat, and eggs kills bacteria and viruses, including avian flu viruses. If you work with dairy cows or poultry that may have avian flu and you start to feel sick, seek medical care or call CDPHE at 303-692-2700 (after normal business hours: 303-370-9395). The Department can help you get a flu test and medicine if needed. More information about avian flu in humans is available at cdphe.colorado.gov/animal-related-diseases/hpai-h5n1.
Monte Vista city planner DJ Enderle, left, with City Manager Gigi Dennis and Chris Perkins, vice president of programs for Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
5. A trail atop the covered ditch
Monte Vista is pitching a $12.9 million project to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Community Change Grants Program that would see the city pipe the nearly 2-mile long Lariat Ditch, cover it and then build a multi-modal path atop. It’s a project city planner DJ Enderle is championing along with SLV GO!. Read Monte Vista’s trail dream: A multi-modal path atop a new water pipe for the full story around Monte Vista’s efforts to build its own outdoor recreation economy.
6. Monte’s new police chief
Monte Vista City Manager Gigi Dennis was expecting the town’s new police chief, Sean McDonagh, to begin on Monday but there he stood Saturday in full police uniform anticipating his first Ski Hi Stampede parade. McDonagh arrived on Thursday to begin his service as Monte Vista police chief, saying he felt it was important to be on the job when the Stampede kicked off. McDonagh arrives from Rocky Ford, where he accepted the post of police chief in June of 2023 only to leave for the job in Monte Vista. McDonagh has a background in policing from New South Wales, Australia.
photos: C Claire Lara, Owen Woods
7. More Stampede
From the sold-out Wynonna concert to the lively rodeo crowds and spirited parades, the 102nd Ski Hi Stampede is in the books. Here are some of our favorite photos. Watch for a full gallery and a parade video this week on AlamosaCitizen.com.
8. ICYMI
Take a minute for yourself to relax and read artist Jocelyn Catterson’s latest installment chronicling the season changes in the Valley. You’ll be glad you did.