Sunday, November 3

The Crestone Eagle is a trusted nonprofit monthly newspaper serving Crestone, the San Luis Valley, Colorado & beyond. Our mission is to connect each other, one story at a time.

San Luis Valley

Dark Sky Festival returns; Dark Sky event at Sand Dunes

By Mike Lewinski. Meteors, drums and darkness will be in abundance for the annual Dark Sky Festival. Crestone is celebrating its 4th Annual Dark Sky Festival,  Aug. 10, 7 p.m. at the Crestone Charter School. This year's celebration is timed with the Perseid meteor shower which is ongoing through the week before and after the main event. There is no charge for attendance. Bring your sense of wonder, curiosity and an open mind. The Town of Crestone was formally designated as a Dark Sky Community by the International Dark Sky Association on May 14, 2021. The award recognizes the community's work...

Hollyhock Festival  arrives in Saguache  

By Carita Ginn, Saguache Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy the Magic of the 2024 Saguache Arts Walk and Hollyhock Festival. The Town of Saguache is busy preparing for its signature annual event, the Saguache Arts Walk, Hollyhock Festival and Fairy House Tour to take place on July 27 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m.  Each summer downtown Saguache comes alive with this vibrant celebration of creativity and community spirit, showcasing the diverse talents of local artists, artisans, and performers while opening up local gardens that showcase our town flower, the Hollyhock. The heart of the Arts Walk is located on the picturesque Saguache County Courthouse...

La Colcha: Weaving history with present day HEART

By HEART of Saguache. The San Luis Valley Colcha Embroidery project recently hosted a free workshop at the Saguache County Museum in early June. The workshop was at capacity, with most of the attendees being residents of Saguache County.  Participants delved into the history of colcha embroidery in the San Luis Valley, learned the traditional colcha stitch, and examined artwork examples and a library of publications on the topic. Afterwards, everyone picnicked in the front of the museum.  HEART thanked its dedicated instructors from San Luis and Monte Vista, who traveled to Saguache to lead the workshop: Maria Eufemia Barela, Donna Madrid Hernandez, Aurora Martinez, and Julia...

Housing gets new director

By Maureen VanWalleghan. Saguache, CO—Saguache County Housing Authority (SCHA) recently hired Cathy Maestas as the new housing director to replace Evan Samora, who has transitioned to a position with the State of Colorado.  Maestas brings 15 years of extensive experience in property management from her work throughout Colorado. Her appointment aligns with the SCHA goals and strategies for future growth as development towards building the Range View Apartments in Saguache continues.  Leveraging partnerships and innovative financing has been an essential strategy for realizing affordable housing goals in Saguache County. Just before Samora’s last day on the job, he received word that Saguache...

Fentanyl grips the San Luis Valley  

Understanding the crisis By Kimberly Black. The San Luis Valley faces a troubling reality as the rampant use of fentanyl, a potent synthetic opioid, has surged to alarming levels in recent years. As local healthcare providers, law enforcement and community organizations grapple with the escalating crisis, a multifaceted approach is emerging to combat addiction and provide support to those affected.    “The fentanyl on the streets right now is 50 times more potent than heroin and 100 times more potent than morphine. Less than a grain of salt can be fatal,” reported Lindsey Renner, a nurse practitioner at San Luis Valley Behavioral...

Range View Apartments puzzle pieces fall into place in Saguache

By Tricia Toney. Pieces of an complicated puzzle are beginning to fall into place on the way to funding 32 units of affordable housing in Saguache. The proposed Range View Apartment complex will require an estimated $16.1 million to complete. Puzzle pieces include cooperation with multiple governmental agencies, grant approvals, partnership with private business enterprises, private investors, and a tax incentive program.  And that’s all before a shovel hits the dirt.  Once complete, the apartments will provide housing for school teachers, restaurant workers, retirees, and others who make less than $60,300 a year for a two-person household. Evan Samora, out-going director of the...

Samora moves from local housing to state-level housing

By Tricia Toney. Although he remains committed to the completion of two large-scale affordable housing projects in Saguache County, Evan Samora is moving on and up. Director of the Saguache County Housing Authority since 2011, Samora has accepted a new job with the state of Colorado as housing development specialist for the Southwest Region. As such, he will work with officials in Saguache County, Chaffee County and Hinsdale County who are seeking funding for affordable housing projects from the State of Colorado. Samora started as a maintenance man for the county in 2007, not long after graduating from high school. He kept...

Artist mural projects engage Crestone and Moffat

San Luis Valley artist Gigi Douglas brought together students and volunteers in Crestone and Moffat with her mural painting skills. Douglas worked with kids from both the Moffat school district and the Crestone Charter School to create themed murals at the Moffat school bus barn and the Crestone town stage. Funding for the projects came from a Saguache County sales tax grant. Douglas also worked with the La Jara community to create a mural there. 

Hollyhock Festival  arrives in Saguache  

By Carita Ginn, Saguache Chamber of Commerce. Enjoy the Magic of the 2024 Saguache Arts...

La Colcha: Weaving history with present day HEART

By HEART of Saguache. The San Luis Valley Colcha Embroidery project recently hosted a free workshop...

Housing gets new director

By Maureen VanWalleghan. Saguache, CO—Saguache County Housing Authority (SCHA) recently hired Cathy Maestas as the...

Fentanyl grips the San Luis Valley  

Understanding the crisis By Kimberly Black. The San Luis Valley faces a troubling reality as the...

Range View Apartments puzzle pieces fall into place in Saguache

By Tricia Toney. Pieces of an complicated puzzle are beginning to fall into place on...

Samora moves from local housing to state-level housing

By Tricia Toney. Although he remains committed to the completion of two large-scale affordable housing...

Artist mural projects engage Crestone and Moffat

San Luis Valley artist Gigi Douglas brought together students and volunteers in Crestone and...

Commissioners notified of Moffat 5G tower upgrade

By Tricia Toney. Verizon Wireless has given notice of intent to provide 5G service from...

Saguache County Museum opening day festivities

“Just like we used to — celebrating 65 years.” On May 26, the Saguache County Museum...

The Acequia Institute

Protecting Indigenous foodways, feeding community, and empowering youth By Anya Kaats The Acequia Institute, located in...

Democratic caucus: Kinney on ballot with McCracken

By Anya KaatsPhoto Matt Lit.Crestone resident and Town Trustee Adam Kinney will run against...

Hooper Junction: New tasty treats & healthy eats in the SLV

By Lori Nagel The struggle for healthy, prepared and affordable food in Crestone is real...

Immigrant-owned Sand Dunes Mushroom Co-op launches crowdfunding campaign

ALAMOSA, CO — Sand Dunes Mushroom Cooperative, LCA, has launched a campaign to raise...

New Forest supervisor on Rio Grande National Forest

By Gregg GoodlandPublic Affairs OfficerRio Grande National Forest DEL NORTE, CO—Dennis Kuhnel has been appointed...

Home of the Happy Yak

Chokurei Yak Ranch faces change after 16 years of stewardship By Zaylah Khundmiri  photographs by Matt Lit. When...

Town of Center schedules Town Hall to discuss code changes 

The Town of Center will be updating its codes in an effort to address...

National Wildlife Refuge Elk Hunting Permits

The drawing for the regular season is complete and the hunter lists have been...

Nourishing the Valley: The SLV’s food system

By Ameille Warner. For over 10,000 years, the people of the San Luis Valley (SLV)...

Rio Grande National Forest featuring “Avalanches on the Rio Grande” in next Forest Specialist Series

The Rio Grande National Forest is back for another year of hosting the Forest...

Rio Grande fish species make move from Baca to Medano

by John Livingston, Colorado Parks and Wildlife , Southwest Region  Public Information Officer MOSCA, Colo.—A decades-long...

RWR’s Tonner appointed onto DougCo Water Commission

DougCo creates new water planning group to help it grapple future water insecurity, but some...

Soul Players of the Valley:“Semillas of Change” 

By Anna Lee Vargas. The Soul Players of the Valley (SPV) is a coalition of...

Weaving Threads of Connection: SLV Campfire Conversations

By Ameille Warner. “To listen is to lean in softly with a willingness to be...

RiGHT: A land trust for the San Luis Valley

By Anya Kaats. When Susan Pierce-Platais moved to the San Luis Valley (SLV) in 1996,...

Hecho en Colorado San Luis Valley Artist Carlos Sandoval

Article courtesy of Latino Cultural Arts Center (LCAC). Carlos Sandoval is a Colorado native from the...
spot_img