The 60-degree weather will give way to colder temperatures this week. Plenty of sunshine and zero moisture in the forecast. We’re two weeks out from Tom Turkey. Here’s more for Monday:
1. Spud Valley solar
NextEra Energy’s Spud Valley project is not just massive at 600 megawatts of solar development and 600 megawatts of solar storage, it’s substantially larger than all the solar currently permitted in Alamosa County added together. The largest currently operating is a 52MW Sunpower solar off Lane 8 near Mosca, says Richard Hubler, Alamosa County land use director. The county also has permitted a project with 95MW of solar storage and is reviewing 110MW project north of Mosca. Spud Valley, which would cover four square miles in central Alamosa County, dwarfs it all and can change conversations around the Valley’s role in Colorado’s green energy push.
2. La Jara Basin
When the Valley wants something, it generally comes together. That became evident again last Thursday, Nov. 13, when the Colorado State Land Board heard the Valley’s collective voice calling for final approval of the transfer of nearly 46,000 acres of state trust lands to the U.S. Forest Service, BLM and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. The concerns state land board commissioners had for Washington D.C. and the president were real. Josie Heath, the Democratic stalwart from Boulder, was the lone vote against the deal but certainly wasn’t the only land board member who voiced words of mistrust for the Trump administration. Safe to say, had an intense last-second lobbying campaign from people like former U.S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar not materialized, the land transfer was in jeopardy.
3. Conejos River bridge improvements
Heads up as you’re traveling south on Highway 285 through Antonito: CDOT will begin its work on the Conejos River bridges beginning Nov. 17 that will create full stops both northbound and southbound, for up to 15 minutes, through the duration of the estimated four-month project. Construction will begin at the northern bridge site at the Conejos River. A temporary bridge will be constructed to allow traffic to detour around the northern bridge while work is taking place. For motorist safety, there will be a 24/7 single-lane alternating traffic guided by a temporary traffic signal. The road construction will extend into March.
4. Ski Hi’s new management
Dervin Taylor, the former women’s softball coach for Adams State who over the past few years has been running recreation for the city of Monte Vista, will also take over management of the Ski Hi Complex in Monte Vista.
City Manager Gigi Dennis said Taylor will combine his city rec staff with the Ski Hi staff to create a “more effective and efficient” management of daily operations for Monte Vista. Dennis had announced the hiring of Chris Baker to run the Ski Hi Complex but Baker pulled out of moving to Monte Vista and Taylor will assume the reins instead.
5. Send us your pretty pictures
This time of year, the Citizen is reminded how generous the universe has been to us. We live in a beautiful place, full of good people. So we are asking our readers to take turns around the virtual Thanksgiving table and share – in a photo – what they are grateful for about life here in the Valley. Snap a photo of your favorite place, something or someone you love. Even when times are tough, it’s good to be thankful.
DEADLINE for entries is Monday, Nov. 24, at noon.
We will post the best submissions on Wednesday, Nov. 26.
Upload your picture and why you’re thankful with THIS LINK.
Or, email your photo with a description HERE.
6. From the Sports Page
Alamosa High played its way to the finals of the Colorado State High School Class 3A volleyball championship before falling to Eaton High in a thrilling 4-set match on Saturday in Aurora. The Moose defeated last year’s state champion, The Village, to advance to the championship match. The championship game went Eatons’ way 26-24, 25-17, 23-25, 27-25. . .
They’re still playing football on the southern end of the Valley. Centauri High advanced in the Colorado High School Class 1A state football playoffs with a 26-0 road win against Highland High, and Sanford put up 71 points at home against Dayspring Christian to advance to the semifinal round of the 8-man playoffs. Centauri will take on No. 1 seed Buena Vista in a semifinal round game on Saturday, Nov. 22, while Sanford will play No. ranked Akron.
7. Today is a good day to support the Citizen
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