MAYBE a bit more snow Monday, otherwise mostly clear and warm sunshine for this week’s Rio Frio Ice Fest that begins Friday and runs through Sunday. January started off with a record-high temperature of 47 degrees on New Year’s Day. Since then it’s become a snowy January with nearly three inches so far, and that’s a good thing. Even better this year has been snowfall in the San Juans, which will yield the spring runoff that irrigators and Rio Grande water managers want to see.
When the Rio Frio was first imagined, the idea of running on a frozen-over Rio Grande was the draw. As organizers have learned, the rio these days doesn’t always become a solid sheet of ice as it once did, but that hasn’t stopped winter outdoor recreationalists from coming out and participating. Besides, there is plenty of cold to keep the ice sculptures on Main Street happy.
We’ve dug up a few other news items to start the week:
1. On The Valley Pod: Power
It’s worth a listen. The Valley Pod episode with Alamosa County Commission Board Chair Lori Laske currently streaming covers quite a bit of ground. The new chair of the Alamosa Board of County Commissioners talks about why renewable power transmission development is, more than anything, a public safety issue for the San Luis Valley.
With no redundant power source, natural disasters in an era of weather chaos will leave the Valley vulnerable, and local officials like Laske are working to figure out how to get more power transmission coming into the Valley. Alamosa County is taking a leading role in representing the San Luis Valley before an upcoming miscellaneous docket that the Colorado Public Utilities Commission has which explores areas of the state for renewable power and transmission generation. LISTEN HERE.
2. Those winter heating bills
Speaking of the Colorado Public Utilities Commission, on Wednesday it will take up the issue of those sky-rocketing winter utility bills (ours are running $600-plus a month this winter) which have consumers scrambling to pinch elsewhere to pay the heating bill. In a notice ahead of the Jan. 25 meeting, the PUC said it will present data on rising energy bills, seek to quantify the causes behind the higher bills, and discuss potential ways to help consumers. The Utility Bill Affordability meeting begins at 9 a.m. and can be accessed by going to the PUC webcast room.
The PUC is taking public comments ahead of the meeting. Here is the comment form or you can submit a comment through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us.
3. Disconnect between schools and school board
We had the pleasure of visiting Principal Michelle Rubidoux-Wilson’s Alamosa Elementary 3-5 Building on Friday and were struck by all the learning, the mix of classes, and happy faces that we saw from students and teachers alike. From a technology class working on their keyboarding skills to students sitting in the library or in their class reading, the atmosphere was all about learning and feeling safe and enjoying it while doing so.
This academic year we’ve also spent time inside Ortega Middle, Alamosa High School and Alamosa Alternative High, in addition to being frequent visitors to both elementary school buildings. Every time we’re inside a school taking photographs, talking to teachers and administrators, and interacting with students, we’ve been impressed by the environments we witness. It’s unfortunate there’s a current disconnect between the schools and the school board. Spending time inside the schools and seeing the dedication and all the important educational work going on makes you appreciate the leadership happening inside all the Alamosa school buildings.
The school board is back in session Monday for a special meeting to review and approve a revised 2022-23 budget.
4. UPDATE: The Adams State president search
No surprise the Adams State Trustees agreed to let Interim President David Tandberg apply for the permanent appointment. Tandberg has been able to calm the campus and has found support among local alumni for his affable way. Really the only question on the decision to let Tandberg apply for the permanent appointment is whether other potential applicants will bow out, given that a popular interim president will likely be in the pool.
The Adams State Trustees certainly are hoping for a pool of many qualified applicants and have hired a high-powered national search firm to help find candidates. At this stage, though, the Trustees have some comfort that at least in Tandberg they have someone they trust to run Adams State.
5. If you see smoke near the Dunes …
The Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is planning a prescribed burn starting Monday with assistance from the Rio Grande National Forest Service. Several piles of woody debris will be burned as long as ground adjacent fuels are sufficiently wet from rain or snow, the national park service said. Monday’s weather forecast looks like it will create the right conditions – so if you see or smell smoke in the vicinity of the park, you’ll know why.
Denver Public Library Special Collections
6. And finally: a blast from the past
Just for fun – and because it’s really cool – here’s a photo of the 1939 Monte Vista High School Band. Still going strong 84 years later.
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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.
