Crestone, Baca Grande & Casita Park

By Christina Lakish. People almost never want to see Emergency Medical Technicians (EMTs), but here’s a great reason to connect with local first responders:  The Baca Grande Ambulance Department is hosting two Mental Health and Wellness Fairs, one April 18 at the Crestone Charter School in the Rainbow Hall, and the other April 25 at Moffat School in the gym. Both run from 6-8 p.m. The Baca Grande Ambulance Department has seen an increase in mental health emergencies in the Crestone/Baca Grande area in the last few years. These occur in people of all ages and from all walks of life. This...

My last month as Crestone mayor I came to the Baca in 1999, with my husband, to retire and live a contemplative life. Never, by background nor by inclination, was I a politician. Rather, I came to Crestone to “find enlightenment” and to reinvent myself.   We lived first in the Baca for four years before moving my Mother here to live with us due to failing health. We were unable at that time to find a home in the Baca which could provide a wheel-chair entrance and found the home in Crestone in 2003, which worked perfectly, and where I...

By Anya Kaats. A town-appointed special events committee was created last month to address town board and resident concerns about hosting events in the town. Despite the formation of this committee, town trustees remain divided in their support. At the March 11 meeting, Crestone trustees reviewed an email from Saguache-based artist Gigi Douglas. Douglas proposed a collaborative mural project along with students from Crestone Charter School and community members, to create a paint-by-numbers outer-space themed mural on a removable plywood backdrop on the town stage. Douglas’ email stated that the mural would be paid for by a Saguache County Sales Tax...

By Anya Kaats. The Crestone Energy Fair (CEF), which returns this year for its 35th year, has remained a pillar of Crestone’s commitment to natural and regenerative building and living.  Through hands-on workshops, educational seminars, and on-going learning opportunities centered around highlighting visionary energy systems, building technologies and sustainable lifestyles, the CEF has become a reliable resource not only for the local community, but also for attendees who travel to Crestone from across the country to learn from the best. The theme of this year’s event is “Rooting Forward” highlighting the CEF’s commitment to finding common ground, reaching across the aisle and...

SPECIAL REPORT by Anya Kaats. The town will again take up the issue of events and noise at its upcoming regular meeting this Monday, Feb. 12. The topic arose at a “special” meeting the town held Jan. 29. There was little notice of the meeting made to the public, though the town did post the agenda at the post office and town office.  During that meeting some town trustees took issue with noise created during events, including July Fourth and others at the town park and elsewhere in town. Included in the complaints were noise from amplified music and even applause from...

Wednesday February 7th, 2024 By Matt Lit, managing editor. A house fire in the Grants had crews from multiple departments responding to the early morning blaze. A page went out to Baca Fire at 4:55 a.m. for a structure fire in the Grants, near Camino Del Rey and Wagon Wheel.  A wood-sided 2-story house had visible flames in the roof/eaves and along the east side of the building when first responders arrived, according to reports from a Baca Fire representative.  Baca Fire was first on scene and quickly called in mutual aid from all resources in the Northern Saguache Fire District. The responding...

Feb. 1, 2024 By Matt Lit, managing editor. Early Monday afternoon a resident notified The Crestone Eagle that the Town of Crestone was holding a “special” meeting to discuss and act on financial matters. The meeting — while legally notified with a notice at the post office — barely meets the requirements of the Colorado Open Meetings law. The Crestone Eagle is on an email list to be notified of meetings. Our reporter, Anya Kaats, is also on this list. Neither of us received notification 24 hours in advance as required by the law. The Open Meetings Law is a fickle thing....

By The Crestone Eagle staff. Thousands from around the world have been enjoying Out & About with Lori Sunflower in The Crestone Eagle for the last eight years and now this treasured collection of Crestone residents has been an online version of this column with the introduction of outandaboutcrestone.com. Each month, Lori Nagel (Sunflower) interviews 6-12 people about a specific topic. She asks thought-provoking questions that have inspired so many, making her column such a positive addition to the community.       When asked what her favorite topic has been, Nagel responded, “Although I’ve loved all of them for different reasons,...