Crestone, Baca Grande & Casita Park

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 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 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...

By Kimberly Black As the U.S. Senate prepares to take up H.R.1, passed by the House at 1 a.m. on May 22, local food banks are already feeling the effects of shrinking federal support. The bill proposes $267 billion in cuts to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) over the next decade. It would expand work requirements to individuals aged 18 to 64 (currently 18 to 59), shift more financial responsibility to states, repeal the SNAP Nutrition Education and Obesity Prevention Grant Program, limit caregiver exemptions to those with children under age 7 (down from under age 18), restrict states’ ability...

By Anya Kaats  The town of Crestone and the Baca Grande Water and Sanitation District (BGWSD) have signed a 20-year Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) for BGWSD to process the town of Crestone’s wastewater.  While the town of Crestone has been paying BGWSD for ongoing wastewater treatment services since 2002, the two entities had been operating without a signed IGA since Feb. 2022.  Negotiations of the new IGA provoked questions among Baca residents about discrepancies between the cost they pay for wastewater treatment service versus what the town of Crestone pays.  On average, the town of Crestone currently accounts for around 20% of the monthly...

Transfer of liquor license and T-Road assets sparks conflict By Matt Lit After three years in business, T-Road Pub, a local restaurant, bar and noted community space, has shut down. The pub closed its doors in late February amidst the sale of the building, owned by Brandon Ford. New building owner, Alex Barone, plans to convert the restaurant and bar into Amore’s, serving Italian-Cuban cuisine. Barone expressed a desire to keep it as a communal space and continue events that T-Road had introduced. The sale and T-Road’s closure was not without contention. The building’s previous owner, Ford, sold the building to Barone, a 10-year...