MONDAY BRIEFING

SLV shuttle service is the topic
at pop-up events this week

The idea of a mass transit shuttle to serve the San Luis Valley is the topic of several pop-up events this Wednesday, Oct. 6th and Thursday, Oct. 7th. The Chaffee Shuttle was awarded funding by the Federal Transit Administration to conduct a transit planning study for the Valley.

To provide input on a Valley shuttle service, you can attend any of the following events:

Wednesday, Oct. 6:

• Buena Vista (9-10:30 a.m.)
  Buena Vista Public Library – 131 Linderman Ave, Buena Vista, CO 81211
• Saguache (12:30-2 p.m.)
  Saguache Public Library – 702 Pitkin Ave, Saguache, CO 81149
• Creede (3-4:30 p.m.)
  Kentucky Belle Market – 103 W 2nd St, Creede, CO 81130

Thursday, Oct. 7

• Del Norte (8-9:30 a.m.))
  Lowes – 1215 Grand Ave, Del Norte, CO 81132
• La Jara (10:30 a.m. – noon)
  Jack’s Market – 2 Spruce St, La Jara, CO 81140
• Antonito (1-2:30 p.m.)
  Antonito Senior Center – 701 Main St, Antonito, CO 81120
• Alamosa (3:30-5:00 p.m.)
  Alamosa Public Library- 300 Hunt Ave, Alamosa, CO 81101

The FTA-funded study looks at challenges residents have to getting around the San Luis Valley and southern Colorado due to lack of personal transportation or available public transportation. Community members can provide feedback, learn more about the project, and subscribe to be a part of the project email list at slvtransitplan.com

Yes Virginia, September was warm

We knew September was warm, and now we know how warm. The National Weather Service reported over the weekend that September 2021 in Alamosa tied as the fourth warmest September on record. The average high temperature for the month was 79.8 degrees, with record high temps of 89 degrees on Sept. 10 and 11. The warm September and probability of a warm October and November, according to NOAA forecast, is not welcome news to Rio Grande water managers and ag producers. For farm operators in the lucrative Subdistrict 1, it is a ‘Hold your breath’  time as they measure how many acre-feet of water they’ve used this irrigation season. Long-term drought going back to 2002 has caused alarm about the sustainability of the unconfined aquifer of the Rio Grande Basin that feeds the agricultural fields of the subdistrict.

Alamosa City Council candidate forum
is Tuesday, Oct. 5

A Meet the Candidates forum for Alamosa City Council candidates is scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 5, 2021 at 6:30 p.m. at City Hall in Council Chambers. All candidates have been invited and the public is welcome to attend. Candidates for the November election are: incumbent Mayor Ty Coleman for mayor, incumbent Councilor Michael Carson for the Ward 4 councilor seat, incumbent Councilor Jan Vigil and candidate Donnie H. Bautista for the at-large councilor seat, and candidates Lori Smith, Darrel L. Cooper, and Kyle Woodward for the Ward 2 councilor seat. The forum can be viewed on the city’s Zoom Webinar at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81887283263. Audience participation cards are limited to those attending in person. Any questions and/or concerns should be addressed to City Clerk Holly Martinez at hmartinez@ci.alamosa.co.us or (719) 589-2272. 

Tough-luck Adams State remains winless
after 5 football games

Yes, it hurts to have Adams State 0-5, particularly when the last 3 games were all winnable. Saturday’s loss was a 45-42 heartbreaker against South Dakota Mines that saw the Grizzlies ahead 35-23, only to go cold on offense in the second half. Two weeks ago, it was a double OT loss on the road against Black Hills State (SD). Alamosa Citizen photographer Amber Newhouse caught the action at Saturday’s game. Check out her photo gallery: