News

By Matt Lit Transportation in the San Luis Valley will see a major change coming in November. Mountain Valley Transit (MVT) announced it will be switching from a "route-based" system to an "on demand" system on Nov. 3. And there will be no change to the cost. All rides are free. The Salida-based transit company (formerly The Chaffee Shuttle) has been operating for almost 30 years starting in the Chaffee County and Salida areas. The company—a rural transit non-profit—began operating routes in the San Luis Valley about seven years ago with a Saguache to Alamosa route. It began adding additional routes including...

By Anya Kaats Two candidates are vying for one open seat on the Baca Grande Property Owners Association Board of Directors, with ballots due by 7 p.m. on Oct. 10. The two candidates are Matt Evers, a local owner-builder, and current member of the Environmental & Architectural Committee, and LeRoy West, the current Board President who has served on the Board for the past three and a half years. Each brings distinct priorities and perspectives on how to manage the community’s growth, finances and future. The Crestone Eagle sent identical questions to each candidate, and their answers are summarized below.  In regard...

From Sacred Contract As of June 7, 2025, an iconic local landmark became the first mountain in the United States to own itself. Following a transfer of title from a private foundation to the mountain itself, Pyramid Mountain now holds its own deed. This revolutionary act not only protects the near 30-acre parcel of land from future development or extraction, but also invites humankind to reimagine the relationship between humans and nature. The title transfer was part of the “Land That Owns Itself” program of Sacred Contract, a coalition of several different organizations which has worked over the past two years...

By Kaitlyn Fletcher Spanning 2,700 miles of harsh landscape, the Old Spanish National Historic Trail snakes through six western states: New Mexico, Colorado, Utah, Arizona, Nevada and California.  At the height of its prevalence, this expansive trade network ran through the San Luis Valley, cementing its role in the western expansion of the Southwest from 1829 to 1848.  A Corridor of Movement  Sourced from Native American footpaths, the Northern Branch forks north of Santa Fe and follows the Rio Grande to the east along the base of the Sangre de Cristo mountains. This route skirted the once vast wetlands in the region. Travelers...

By Kimberly Black The Big Beautiful Bill, signed into law on July 4, will affect national, state and local food banks over the next decade. The legislation will cut $187 billion in SNAP benefits.   “People who lose SNAP benefits will turn to food banks to get their food,” wrote policy analyst Kyle Ross in a recent article for the Center for American Progress (CAP). “Food banks are not equipped to handle the hunger crisis that would result from cuts to SNAP.”  Ross’s data shows food insecurity has risen in every state since 2021 and food banks are already straining to meet demand....

By Chantelle Pence It’s all love. But it’s not all light. How do we face the darkness on our planet, in our community, or within ourselves, with compassion? No one will get through life without facing difficulties such as divorce, disease, disturbing news, a difficult neighbor or any other situation that creates tension. There is no getting around what is.  Most folks live from a reactive state rather than conscious awareness. Compassion often flies out the window when our brain goes into survival mode. When confronted with something unwanted, our animal body instinctively goes into fight, flight, or freeze mode. Marcy...

By Kaitlyn Fletcher  Tucked into the western slope of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains, an abandoned iron mine hosts the largest known roost of Brazilian Free-tailed Bats in North America. June marks the annual return of these 250,000 summertime residents.  “Brazilian free-tailed bats form some of the largest aggregations of mammals anywhere in the world,” said Daniel Neubaum, the Conservation Species Program Manager at Colorado Parks and Wildlife, who was ‘tagged’ by the agency for bats. While most male bats prefer to live alone, this species is an “exception to the rule.”  Other large seasonal roosts are located in Grand Junction and...

By Nick Nevares This year’s 4th of July theme, “Harmony in Diversity” shines as a vibrant celebration of unity amidst unique differences and a reminder of how we in a small community can make a positive difference in our microcosm. Crestone is a cultural mosaic, home to spiritual centers from around the world, from Buddhist monasteries to Hindu ashrams. Each spiritual community brings its own traditions, creating a rich tapestry of beliefs and practices that coexist peacefully. As residents in the community, we embrace this diversity, fostering a spirit of respect and collaboration. This year I have invited the spiritual...