A week of cool sunshine is in the forecast with daytime temperatures reaching into the 40s and overnight lows staying in the double digits. In other words, perfect December weather if you like it cold but not ice cold. There are 17 shopping days till Christmas. More below:
1. A warm November
November 2025 registered as the second warmest on record with an average daily temperature of 36.2 degrees, according to the National Weather Service. The Rio Grande is an open river here in December, lending credence that winter will remain warmer than normal and spring will arrive faster than we think, at least weather-wise. Winter begins Dec. 21.
2. On The Valley Pod: Barb Kirkmeyer
Barb Kirkmeyer spent an hour in our podcast studio on the southside of Alamosa answering questions and giving depth to her run for governor in 2026. Kirkmeyer is the likely Republican nominee and as state senator out of Weld County is a member of the Joint Budget Committee, which writes the annual budget plan for the state. She apologized for being such a “downer” on what she sees as the current state of affairs in Colorado on the eve of 150 years of statehood. She harkened to Roy Romer, Colorado’s last rural governor, as providing a model for governing that she would want to replicate. The Colorado primaries are June 30, 2026. We invite you to watch the livestream via Alamosa Citizen YouTube. More here and full audio episode here.
2a. Next on The Valley Pod
Alamosa City Manager Heather Sanchez and Public Works Director Harry Reynolds stop by to talk about the city’s push in 2026 to secure voter reauthorization on the city’s dedicated half-cent sales tax for street improvements, among other city topics. Episode streams mid-week.
3. SLV 4-H fundraising drive
Larry Brown is getting the fundraising thing down. After CSU-Extension received a $1.25 million anonymous donation to support staff running the San Luis Valley 4-H program, Brown doubled down with his belief that there are others in the Valley who support the 4-H program capable of making similar sized-gifts. He established a goal of raising $3 million and with momentum on his side, Brown is pressing the matter as hard as his gentle nature allows. ICYMI, here is our story, SLV 4-H program gets 1.25M boost.
4. Xcel’s 2026 rate hike
Xcel Energy is notifying customers to expect the average residential rate to go up $9.94 per month, or 9.93 percent, under an electric rate review before the Colorado Public Utilities Commission. The rate review is tied to three years of upgrades, the utility company says, and should take effect in August 2026. Small business customers can expect a monthly rate hike of $14.22.
5. Career-ready students
Alamosa High is working to make sure students find an interest in some career while working toward a diploma by launching new clubs that qualify for state reimbursement for their career technical education training. The newest career tech club, with 40 students in it, is the early childhood education club launched this year by Principal Amy Ortega and teacher Kari VanRy. “The thought of growing our own and at least having some support through the high school is really what I envision because we know that our workforce is very, very limited in early childhood education,” says VanRy. A culinary club for the students is another Ortega says she’d like to pursue. READ MORE.
6. Fall degrees at Adams State
Adams State will hold its fall commencement this Saturday, Dec. 13, with 41 students earning a B.A., 31 a B.S., and 46 master’s degrees being conferred. Another 37 students have earned a two-year associate’s degree. Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman is the commencement speaker. Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m. at Plachy Hall.
7. Pssst! It’s Colorado Gives Day …
Tuesday is Colorado Gives Day. Schedule a gift now to Alamosa Citizen, and help make sure the Valley has the timely, accurate local news and information source it deserves. The Citizen is locally owned with deep roots in the community. Every dollar we raise stays right here in the Valley. We are partnering with Colorado Media Project and Colorado Gives to match your tax-deductible gift. And, as always, thanks for reading The Citizen.