The week ahead is full of sunshine. There is some indication that a transition out of La Niña and its warm and dry patterns into a more neutral weather pattern will be occurring by springtime and offering hope for moisture. He’s more for the week ahead when the Broncos find themselves one win away from Super Bowl LX.
1. Downtown Alamosa’s transformation
The city of Alamosa will begin construction this summer on its Hunt Avenue Cultural Trail, a project that adds to the ongoing transformation of downtown Alamosa. It just won’t make as much progress as originally planned. The city says the project has been scaled back due to CDOT requirements. “Since we can only use CDOT‑approved contractors, we have to use CDOT unit pricing and build a budget that reflects those inflated numbers,” said Alamosa Public Works Director Harry Reynolds. “When we do that, the cost of construction easily doubles — if not more — compared to what we are used to paying locally. We also have to assume the worst‑case scenario, which means using a CDOT‑approved contractor who will add per diem expenses on top of already high prices.” Here’s the full story.
2. Federal order: Expand hunting and fishing access
Local staff with the federal Bureau of Land Management are working through a new order issued Jan. 7 by U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum that calls for BLM and the U.S. Forest Service to open up more public lands to hunting and fishing by “removing unnecessary barriers.” “After speaking with the field manager, it looks like we are still in the very early stages of working out how to implement the new secretarial order,” said Interior spokesman Levi Spellman. Blanca Wetlands has restrictions on hunting and fishing, and Spellman said the closure at the Blanca Wetlands, which runs annually from Feb. 15 to July 15, is currently under review. BLM and U.S. Forest Service are working on taking over management of the La Jara Basin in a land transfer approved by the Colorado State Land Board two months ago. BLM also completed its Lobatos Bridge project in 2025 that promises to add more outdoor recreation in Conejos County.
3. Wolverines coming back to Colorado
Colorado is getting ready to reintroduce the smaller, less-controversial wolverine back into its wilds. This past week, the Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission heard from biologists and experts on what reintroduction of the largest member of the weasel family will look like. The reintroduction plan aims for placing 15 wolverines per year for three years in the Colorado wild. Here’s the full story.
4. The Valley Pod: Property tax hikes
Alamosa County Assessor Jason Duncan and Treasurer Amy McKinley are doing their best to warn property owners of the sizable increases many will see on their 2025 property tax bill. They say it points back to the Colorado Legislature and the temporary property tax relief provided in 2023 and 2024 but now is coming due in 2025. Listen in as they explain why property taxes are on the rise.
5. Xcel’s upcoming rate hikes
Coloradans can expect to see an increase of about 11.4 percent or $7.59 per month on their natural gas bills, Xcel says in a letter to customers. The utility company has the proposed rate increase before Colorado Public Utilities Commission, with the hike expected to kick in starting in October. Xcel is also pushing through a 9 percent increase in electricity rates for 2026, which will increase electricity bills by about $10 per month. In both cases, Xcel says the increases are due to infrastructure investments. We asked Barb Kirkmeyer, the Republican candidate for governor, if there is anything a new governor can do to rein in always-on-the-rise utility bills. Her response: The governor appoints members to the CPUC and can address rate hikes through the makeup of the CPUC board.
6. Colorado’s data center boom
A group called PowerUp Colorado is touting Colorado HB26-1030, which is legislation that would create a data center development and incentive program. A media briefing is scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20, with the goal of the legislation “to bring data center investment and jobs to Colorado.” Lauren Gifford, director of the Soil Carbon Solutions Center and assistant professor of carbon management at Colorado State University, has a good take on where Colorado is with its build out of data centers along the Front Range. “Colorado is in the middle of a data center boom. You may or may not notice it as you travel along the Front Range, but the world’s digital infrastructure is rapidly taking root here,” she writes. Here’s more from Gifford and what data centers really mean for Colorado’s future.
7. Cold murder trail in Center
Nada. The Colorado Bureau of Investigation seems to be getting nowhere in its investigation into the death of Center resident and former town trustee Bill McClure. McClure was discovered dead at this office/residence the week of Christmas. A homicide investigation was opened but the CBI, in email exchanges with Alamosa Citizen, said there is nothing new to report. Here’s the full story.
8. Alamosa County races
Jamie Greeman, executive assistant for Alamosa County, announced her candidacy for Alamosa County Clerk and Recorder. “I am strongly committed to running for Alamosa County clerk because of my love and dedication to Alamosa County and my earnest desire to see Alamosa County have the professional, efficient, and accountable office that it deserves,” she said in announcing her candidacy. In other races, Alamosa County Assessor Jason Duncan told the Citizen he will run for another term, and Alamosa County Treasurer Amy McKinley, Sheriff Robert Jackson and Commissioner Arlan Van Ry are set to announce their re-election bids in a joint announcement scheduled for Tuesday, Jan. 20.
9. The Valley’s big events in 2026
Never let it be said that there is “nothing to do” in the Great San Luis Valley. The Valley Calendar tracks events week after week, month after month. Here is a list of the biggest events happening in 2026. All in one place. Easy to find. And more to be added. Use The Valley Calendar to add events to your own calendar.
10. Creede Pond Hockey
Speaking of big events, here is what the scene in Creede was like for the weekend’s The Golden Pick: Pond Hockey tournament in Creede. More photos on AlamosaCitizen.com.