The Monday Briefing | Sept. 1, 2025

Happy Labor Day. Lots of sunshine in the forecast. Daily highs will peak in the 70s and the overnight lows will remain around 50. Perfect weather to open the Valley’s harvest month

1. Three-month outlook

With summer flows on the Upper Rio Grande among the lowest on record, the Valley could use a wet fall to recharge the river. The three-month outlook through November doesn’t want to cooperate. The seasonal temperature outlook is trending above normal and the outlook for moisture is trending below normal. On the Rio Grande Compact front, the state Division of Water Resources says it’s planning to deliver around 135,000 acre-feet downstream into New Mexico. The accounting includes 40,000 acre-feet diverted from the Conejos and 97,000 acre-feet from the Rio Grande.

2. The Valley Pod: Greg Higel

Cattle ranchers like Greg Higel are having a good year. It’s been a productive summer on the hay front, as well. Higel, the chair of the Rio Grande Water Conservation District, gives a lot of insight and perspective to his world in this episode of The Valley Pod. Listen in.

3. Alamosa City Council candidates

Alamosa voters in November will decide competitive races for an at-large seat and the Ward 2 seat on city council. Incumbent at-large member Jan Vigil drew an opponent in Zachary Reaves and Ward 2 incumbent Dawn Krebs will face Justin Coley. Incumbent mayor Ty Coleman did not draw a challenger and the Ward 4 seat being vacated by Jamie Dominguez did not have any candidates qualify for the ballot by deadline, but has two names listed as write-ins. Alamosa City Clerk Holly Martinez said the council would appoint a person to the Ward 4 seat in the event no candidates qualified for the ballot.

4. Special session outcomes

A reversal on a plan to increase reimbursement rates on Medicaid, reductions to higher education funding, and a redirect of around $100 million from an affordable housing fund to the general fund were moves Colorado made to address its projected revenue shortfall for the 2025-26 budget year. The projection of lower revenues is one Colorado is making in light of the federal government’s spending plan. The work was done over two days in a special session by the Colorado General Assembly. Legislators also gave themselves until June 30, 2026, to tweak the state’s Artificial Intelligence consumer protection law.

5. Liquor license for Ramble

man on computer screen participating in remote meeting — Matt Oesterle at the Alamosa County Commissioners meeting. Credit: The Citizen

Guests at Ramble Campground near the Great Sand Dunes National Park will be able to partake in an alcoholic beverage after the Alamosa County Commissioners approved a liquor license for the popular campground spot. Ramble is on the list for best tent camping spots in America. With the license, Ramble will be allowed to serve alcohol between 5 and 9 p.m. nightly. It’s the latest twist to camping – or more like glamping – in the San Luis Valley, which both Ramble and nearby Kosmos Stargazing Resort are taking to a new level around these parts. Ramble CEO and founder Matt Oeserle told the county commissioners that the pay-to-camp site is generally sold out in the summer and is open through mid-October. Ramble, based in Golden, has 23 camp sites at its San Luis Valley property and operates campgrounds near both Great Sand Dunes and Mesa Verde national parks.

6. Remembering Joe

Damon Martin with Joe Vigil in 2021. Credit: Adams State Athletics

Adams State will pay tribute to the late Joe Vigil at the beginning of the 32nd annual Joe I. Vigil Cross Country meet on Saturday at Cattails Golf Course. Peggy Vigil, one of the coach’s daughters, will be on hand to participate. “We will pay tribute to Coach Vigil with a moment of silence before the race begins and a large screen placed in an easy access area will play a variety of video interviews with Dr. Vigil,” said Adams State cross country coach Damon Martin. “We welcome anyone who wants to come out and support our collegiate runners and honor the man who dedicated his world-renowned career to running.” The cross country meet featuring collegiate and high school competitions begin at 8:30 a.m. with the national anthem and recognition of Vigil.

7. Football highlights

A successful 4th-and-13 turned the game Western New Mexico’s way in the fourth quarter against Adams State on Saturday as the Mustangs defeated the Grizzlies 35-21 in the season opener. Adams State led throughout until Western New Mexico’s fourth down conversion that led to a touchdown and the Mustangs’ first lead of the game at 28-21. Adams State fumbled on its next possession and two plays later Western New Mexico was in the end zone again for a final 35-21 score … The Grizzlies will face UT-Permian Basin in their home season opener this Saturday, Sept. 6. Kickoff is 6 p.m. at Rex Field.

And in high school football …

Alamosa 6, Monte Vista 3
Centauri 34, Meeker 6
Sierra Grande 50, Cheraw 34
Sanford 44, West Grand 24
Sargent 60, Lake County 6
North Fork 47, Center 6
Olathe 14, Del Norte 12
Las Animas 56, Sangre de Cristo 22

8. A pod for the squad

three men sit at microphones with a large bear mascot goofing off behind them — Credit: The Citizen

Remember to tune in every Thursday for Adams State Football with Coach Levi Gallas. The video is live-streamed at 11:15, with audio posted on Fridays at alamosacitizen.com or wherever you get your podcasts. Coach Gallas always has a good story to tell.

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9. Weekend cruise

Like a scene from “American Graffiti,” Early Iron Fest classic cars took to the streets with their annual Saturday night slow cruise drag down Main Street in Alamosa. Dennis Schoenfelder captured these photographs of some of the sweet rides that were in town for the 44th annual event: