THE Valley opened February with a string of 40-degree weather days, even into the low 50s on Sunday, and the sun felt good. However, snowpack totals – well that’s another story. The Upper Rio Grande Basin is lagging behind otherwise good snowpack totals across Colorado. No doubt snowpack and spring runoff will be a subject of conversation when farmers and ranchers gather this week in Monte Vista for the Southern Rocky Mountain Agricultural Conference. Here’s more to get the week started.
1.Enhanced security at all Alamosa schools
Alamosa Schools are moving ahead with enhanced security measures for the remainder of the spring semester. In January the Alamosa School Board approved a contract with Aquila Protective Services to place armed security guards at each of the school campuses which includes Alamosa Elementary, Alamosa High, and Ortega Middle and nearby Alamosa Alternative High School. Then on Friday of last week, all school district employees went through an introductory training on the use of the cloud-based RedBag security kit. Here’s more on the story.
2. Sportswomen of Colorado Awards
The Sportswomen of Colorado Awards named Adams State’s Stephanie Cotter its College Cross Country Award winner, Adams State’s Brianna Robles its Division-II College Track and Field Award winner, and gave Adams State Track & Field Director Damon Martin its coaching Milestone Award. All fitting honors following Adams State’s third consecutive NCAA DII Women’s Cross Country Championship in 2022. Adams State under Martin is the winningest cross country program in NCAA history. The trio will receive the awards during the Sportswomen of Colorado 49th annual awards celebration on Sunday, March 12, at the Hyatt Regency Denver.
3. The Outdoor Citizen
We’re launching a new podcast in collaboration with SLV GO! that is focused on outdoor recreation and conservation. The bicycle-riding Marty Jones, retired chemistry professor from Adams State, will host each episode. The podcast is a natural offshoot of our efforts to focus on the natural assets of the San Luis Valley since our own launch in mid-August of 2021. We’re excited to get going with Marty in the studio this week. Episodes will roll out every two weeks. Watch for the latest podcast from Alamosa Citizen. It’ll stream on AlamosaCitizen.com or wherever you get your podcasts.
4. ICYMI: Amanda Pearson steps in to run La Puente
Like many, Amanda Pearson found her way to Alamosa and the San Luis Valley via Adams State. It’s one of the nuggets we learn about the former municipal judge who has stepped in to manage the affairs of La Puente during a sabbatical period for Lance Cheslock. Pearson sees a bigger transition coming for La Puente. Read the full story: A talk with La Puente’s interim director, Amanda Pearson.
5. Bittersweet as Rio Grande National Forest closes Monte Vista office
After nearly a half century in the office west of Monte Vista, the Rio Grande National Forest (RGNF) headquarters closed the doors Friday for the last time. Forest headquarters will be moving to Del Norte later this month, upon the completion of office furniture and data systems installation in the new building. “This is a bittersweet departure from Monte Vista,” said Dan Dallas, who has been the Rio Grande National Forest Supervisor since 2007. “While the moving of our headquarters may seem like the end of an era, the Forest remains committed to the community of Monte Vista. We’ll still be here, involved in community events and will engage the community on larger national forest issues.” Here’s more on the move.
6. BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble
Man-About-Town Rob Oringdulph called. He let us know that the BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble is returning to Plachy Hall for a performance on Thursday, Feb. 16. Rob loves the BYU dance ensemble and thinks you will too. So check it out. We’re happy to give it a plug. Here’s where to get tickets.
7. Be Mine, Valentine
Everyone loves a love story. Tell us yours. Send us a photo of you and your Valentine and your love story to info@alamosacitizen.com. For Valentines Day, we will put together a photo story of all of the love shared around The Valley.
JOIN US
Alamosa Citizen members get the Monday Briefing sent directly to their In boxes – plus a weekly newsletter on Thursdays that summarizes the top stories in the Valley. Member support keeps The Citizen free for all to read.
