October closes with sunshiny days and overnight temperatures below freezing. In other words, perfect fall weather for the Land of the Cool Sunshine. Trick-or-treaters will be out this Friday. Happy Halloween. Here is more to get the week started:
1. New Mexico’s hope for water
Downstream, New Mexicans have been hoping the October rains that filled the Upper Rio Grande Basin would result in stronger flows into the Middle Rio Grande. Doubtful, according to Colorado Division of Water Resources engineers. It’s true Colorado likely owes a bit more acre-feet to the New Mexico border, but nothing in the amount that would reverse the fortunes of the Middle Rio Grande and the low storage issues at Elephant Butte Reservoir near Truth or Consequences. Writer John Fleck reports that this is the driest year on Middle Rio Grande since 1964. The Upper Rio Grande grew by 80,000 acre-feet and the Conejos River by 20,000 acre-feet as a result of the heavy southwest rains. Colorado is now estimating a total annual flow of 470,000 acre-feet, but with the Valley’s private canals and increased storage at Rio Grande, Platoro and Terrace Reservoirs, the October rains were “not a significant event in New Mexico.”
2. If not one thing, it’s another
The Citizen visited with Adams State President David Tandberg in his office last week to talk state-of-the-university finances. Because for Adams State, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Just as the public university finds its footing on enrollment, reduced government funding threatens Adams State’s financial health. “The thing is,” said Tandberg, “hard times are not unknown here, and I, reading and observing and being in the Valley for a very long time, our capacity to mobilize, come together, rise above and deal with our times, like that seems to be built into who the Valley is…”
3. The Valley’s vulnerability
Whether it’s funding for Adams State, the Valley’s public university that employs so many, or funding for the multitude of public K-12 schools that serve as top employers in their small communities, or federal and state reimbursements to Medicaid that help keep the local health care system financially whole, or federal farm subsidies and purchases that come in to make farmers whole, or the monthly benefits for food assistance that nearly 11,000 souls in the Valley rely on to get by, the San Luis Valley is heavily dependent on taxpayers and government checks. It’s not a great situation to be in as the federal government remakes itself and creates ripple effects through the bureaucracies of state and local governments. It’s like ripping off a bandaid that’s been on the skin for 150 years. It can hurt, be painful, and exposes the vulnerability of the place that has a reliance on public payrolls and government assistance.
4. The Valley Pod: Eagle Scout Emily Cook
Ever since the Pinewood Derby she didn’t officially win because she wasn’t yet a scout, Emily Cook has been in Scouting America almost her whole life. She tells us the stories along the way to attaining the rank of Eagle Scout.
5. How running saved Alamosa High coach Jen McQuitty
For Jen McQuitty, running became more than a sport. It was a lifeline, a structured outlet that offered freedom and control in a life filled with unpredictability. In the weekend story, Where the heart meets the finish line, writer Brianna Robles captures the essence of Alamosa High’s cross country and track coach. “It was really a godsend that got me to where I am today,” McQuitty says. Here’s the full story.
6. Work of the Rural Journalism Institute of the San Luis Valley
It’s through the Rural Journalism Institute of the San Luis Valley that young writers like Brianna Robles and Evan Arivzu come to play with Alamosa Citizen. RJISLV is the 501(c)(3) nonprofit partner of Alamosa Citizen, the training ground for aspiring writers, photographers, audio producers, videographers and web editors who want work in digital news and information. Robles’ weekend story on Jen McQuitty and Arivzu’s recent story on Adapting to a dry reality in Saguache County are recent examples of how the work of RJISLV interns impacts AlamosaCitizen.com. If you can help us make an impact on the lives of our interns, please make a tax deductible year-end donation to the Rural Journalism Institute of the San Luis Valley. Thank you.
7. Adams men back on top
Kidus Begashaw has come a long way in a short amount of time as a cross country runner. On Saturday the senior runner led Adams State to the men’s RMAC cross country title, the Grizzlies first team conference championship since 2018. Adams State now prepares for NCAA Division II regionals and national cross country championships in November.
8. More from the Sports Page
Alamosa High’s Ethan Merrick captured the individual regional cross country boys title and the Moose qualified both their boys and girls teams for the state cross country championships which will be held this Saturday, Nov. 1. Merrick, who posted a winning time of 15:46 at regionals, enters the Colorado 3A state race among the favorites. He will be attempting to become the first Alamosa state cross country champion since Adrian Arnold in 1990.