San Luis Valley

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. 

By Tricia Toney. Verizon Wireless has given notice of intent to provide 5G service from its Moffat cell tower, and neither Saguache County residents nor the county commissioners have any say about it. When Verizon filed an application to the county for this upgrade in February, the commissioners called a special work session to discuss how to manage the news.  Aware that 5G service on cell towers in the valley is a sensitive, controversial issue, they wondered if the county should send press releases or call a town hall-type meeting. While such a meeting would have allowed citizens to voice support or concerns...