San Luis Valley

A headline in the May edition of The Crestone Eagle is incorrect regarding theannual SLVREC meeting in June.The story is correct.The Crestone Eagle regrets the error. Here is the full story as published: San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative (SLVREC) has announced that thecooperative’s June board of director’s election will not take place. The two positions upfor election this year were uncontested by the April 9 deadline. Incumbent board members Keenan Anderson, representing Saguache County, andStephen Valdez, Conejos County, were the only candidates who filed to run for theirrespective seats. With no additional candidates filing to run, it is anticipated that the incumbents...

By Lisa Cyriacks A federal jury in a Colorado District civil court case awarded $4 million to the mother of a man who died in 2019 in the Saguache County jail. In opening arguments, the plaintiff’s attorney argued Jackson Maes died by suicide after jail personnel deprived him of his federal constitutional rights under the 14th amendment – primarily the right to adequate medical care, including both physical and mental health. Payment of the judgment will be covered by the county’s insurance. The plaintiff’s attorney, Sean Dormer, made a statement to the Denver Post that with the addition of attorney’s fees...

By Tricia Toney After months of research, expert input, and public feedback, Saguache County commissioners have approved new land use (1041) regulations for large-scale solar development. With regulations now in place, it remains to be seen if Saguache County will transform into a hub of solar energy production or remain largely unchanged by this industry. The San Luis Valley has been identified as a veritable gold mine for solar energy development. Expanses of flat, arid land with 300 days of sunshine each year and cold nights make rich earth for this particular kind of mine. Combine this with recent government initiatives pushing...

By Tricia Toney Despite prevailing in their recent lawsuit against Saguache County, Villa Grove cell tower opponents once again lost their battle to halt the project. It was not a quick or simple process. In June of 2024, the County Commissioners first approved the tower in a 2-to-1 vote. They pointed to state and federal laws that prevent local governments from blocking competition between phone companies. Following advice from legal counsel, the commissioners believed they were legally required to approve the tower. Nine Villa Grove residents sued the county over the permit approval. They argued that the laws the commissioners used didn’t apply...

By Kaitlyn Fletcher Photo Credit: John Rawinski The 2025 State of Birds report raises alarm for birds across every habitat, again. Nearly one-third of America’s bird species need immediate conservation action. About 50% of all bird species found in the U.S. can be spotted in Colorado, which boasts a total of 521 species from 63 different families. The state of valley birds Local bird expert John Rawinski has documented 369 bird species in the San Luis Valley as of 2024, adding one to three new species annually. That’s over two-thirds of Colorado’s birds. Lined by rugged mountains, the desertscape slopes into piñon-juniper and conifer...

By Kim Black  A Moffat resident’s complaint about a neighboring lot used as a dump has prompted town officials to take notice. The property, located at 151 W. 6 St. — just north of the Mirage Trading Co. and less than 500 yards from Moffat High School — has become an eyesore and health concern.  Trash bags, toilet paper, and exposed refuse cover the lot. An excavator was used to dig a pit where additional waste was dumped and left unburied. The site, visible from the school, a nearby coffee shop, and Hwy. 17, has raised alarm as a potential environmental...

By Tricia Toney, Photo by Matt Lit By Tricia Toney Nine residents of Villa Grove have won a significant court ruling against the approval of a conditional land use permit that allowed Viaero Wireless to construct a new cell tower near the town center. The lawsuit, spearheaded by retired teacher Paula Maez and Reverend Marquita Oliver, argued that county commissioners were misinformed about their legal authority over the permit. This misunderstanding, influenced by legal counsel and compounded by ex parte communication rules, ultimately led to a costly lawsuit. Initial land use application and resident concerns In April 2024, residents living within 2,500 feet...

By Kimberly Black Local law enforcement, school districts and local organizations report no increase in US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) activity in the San Luis Valley, despite recent news of ICE raids in Denver and Aurora. Officials from Moffat and Alamosa School Districts, Saguache County Sheriff’s Office, and the SLV Immigration Resource Center (SLVIRC) in Alamosa confirm that there has been no uptick in ICE operations in the area. However, with heightened concerns during Trump’s term these institutions are reviewing and updating their protocols in accordance with state law.  By Colorado House Bill (CHB) 19-1124, local agencies cannot be forced...