CRESTONE — Daniel Johnson, a seasoned wildland firefighter with over 50  years of experience, shared his insights regarding the Palisades Fire in California at the Baca Grande POA offices in Saguache County on March 15. 

COLORADO — Colorado's high mountains are an essential water source for human and livestock consumption, fish, aquatic invertebrates, plants, animals and everything else living on our mostly blue planet. Our snow-covered mountains are a reservoir of frozen water that melts and fees our rivers, streams and us.  

ALAMOSA — With more than 8,000 viewers tuning in live across three platforms, Colorado U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper held a tele-town hall on Wednesday evening.  

ALAMOSA — Congressman Jeff Hurd (Republican, District 3) held his first tele-town hall on Tuesday night where he took questions from individuals for about an hour.  

ALAMOSA — Matt Riviere, a 59-year-old IT professional from Monument, Colorado addressed an audience at Ortega Middle School Wednesday night, impassioned by an experience that is every parent’s worst nightmare. 

ASD Elementary 3-5 Principal Michelle Wilson has been named 2025 Colorado Elementary Distinguished Principal of the Year by the Colorado Association of School Executives. Wilson was selected for this honor by a committee of Colorado elementary principals as part of a highly competitive process.

SAN LUIS VALLEY — The annual San Luis homeless count conducted by La Puente finds that homelessness in the San Luis Valley is five times the statewide rate, as found through the local Point-in-Time (PIT) Count on Jan. 28. 

ALAMOSA — CASA del Valle (Court Appointed Special Advocate), a new non-profit, now has a presence in the San Luis Valley.   “Right now,” says Brett Phillips, executive director of CASA del Valle, “there are about 50 kids in the valley who are involved in court because of neglect or abuse or dependency issues. These children need an advocate.” 

ALAMOSA — At the combined concert of the ASU Wind Symphony, Centauri 6th Grade Band, Centauri Junior and High School Band, and the SLV Community Band, the diverse range of musicians, spanning from elementary school to age 60-plus, captivated the audience. 

ALAMOSA – The City of Alamosa recently announced that Frank Wirth has accepted the offer to serve as Alamosa’s next Fire Chief.  Chief Wirth has an extensive career in fire service …

Senator John Hickenlooper discusses issues and answers constituents' questions at virtual town hall on Wednesday, March 12, 5 to 6 p.m.

ALAMOSA — Adams State University (ASU) President David Tandberg spent a few minutes with Alamosa City Council on Wednesday night, starting out by introducing Vice President for Advancement Jacob Rissler, who’s been with the university for almost seven months. Rissler will be focused on alumni affairs, community engagement, fundraising, marketing and promotions.

ALAMOSA — Alamosa Mayor Ty Coleman has issued a “Mayor’s Challenge” to the community at large, encouraging anyone and everyone to donate funds toward construction of the Little Learners Early Care and Learning Center in Alamosa.   

SOUTH FORK - Over the past month, the San Luis Valley Aquatics group has been meeting with municipal boards in Rio Grande County to garner support for an aquatic center.  San Luis Valley Aquatics representatives Grace Young and Jenny Nehring gave a brief presentation to the South Fork Town Board on Feb. 25, asking the town to send a letter of support for the $24 million project. South Fork officials did not get behind the project. 

CENTER – Town Trustee Bill McClure was removed from office by a unanimous vote on Feb. 26 for using a racial slur toward a Town of Center employee. 

ALAMOSA — Each year the Colorado Emergency Management Association (CEMA) recognizes the dedicated work of emergency managers and emergency management partners during an annual dinner and awards event. 

ALAMOSA — The Alamosa Police Department (APD) was dispatched to Burger King, 2501 Main Street in Alamosa, at about 8:30 on Friday morning where staff reported a male had locked himself in the bathroom and would not come out. The staff noticed water coming from under the door.   

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 5, the National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million recreation visits in calendar year 2024. 

ALAMOSA — Alamosa City Council started Wednesday night's meeting with a proclamation designating the week of March 9-15 as AmeriCorps Week 2025. The proclamation, signed by Mayor Pro Tem Liz Hensley in Mayor Coleman's absence, heralded AmeriCorps as a smart investment in local communities that also creates service opportunities that strengthen communities and expand pathways to education, careers, and civic participation for 200,000 volunteers each year. 

ALAMOSA — Various organizations, non-profits and municipalities from the San Luis Valley participated in a Zoom call last week with the Colorado Department of Local Affairs (DOLA).