Briefs from the San Luis Valley

Brief by Marcia Darnell

San Luis Valley - November 2004 - Colorado Central Magazine - No. 129 - Page 5

Copyright © 2004 by Marcia Darnell and Central Colorado Publishing Co. All rights reserved.

Private!

Robert Salter owns property that is surrounded by public land, and that's led to conflict with hikers and hunters. Salter's home is an isle in a sea of Forest Service and BLM property, and both agencies are getting reports of Salter threatening trespassers -- and potential trespassers. Allegedly, Salter's been threatening people outside his property line, which is clearly marked. Salter was arrested and authorities are investigating.

Archuleta Art

Valley artists Eppie Archuleta and Ruben Archuleta have co-authored The Tale of Juan de la Burra. Eppie Archuleta, a world-renowned weaver, narrated the book, which was transcribed and translated from the Spanglish by Ruben Archuleta, author of "I Came from El Valle" (reviewed in the August, 2001, edition of Colorado Central). The story is autobiographical and includes a fairy tale Eppie's father told his children many years ago. The book is bilingual.

Takin' the Train Home

Engine 169, the 1883 D&RG choo-choo, was moved to its new home on the pavilion at the east end of Alamosa. It joins the B-1 Business Car and the tender, which was just rebuilt in Ely, Nev. The engine was moved by tow truck, crane, and then lowboy trailer, to the delight of a sizable crowd. The project has taken two years, but isn't finished, as the locomotive still needs restoration.

Gateway Still Open

A dearth of money doesn't mean the death of a project. The city's "no" on funding for Alamosa's proposed Gateway Center doesn't mean the facility won't rise. The museum/visitor center/convention center is scouring the area for a home, and looking at under-developed Sixth Street. The old social services building (a depot in a former life) is a possibility, as is the old Motorway Freight building, or both. The museum is currently housed in the old jail next to Cole Park.

Children's Crusade

The Boys and Girls clubs in Monte Vista and La Jara were closed due to a money crunch, but reopened quickly by community donations. The cash infusion will keep both clubs open through November. Meanwhile, Alamosa County Commissioner Frank Mestas came up with an innovative fundraiser -- a cattle drive. Folks will pay a C-note to mount up for a day to drive cattle in the Valley for a good cause.

Brief Briefs

• The Valley welcomed Alamosan Mark Scanga home from Iraq.
• Henry Gutierrez got a nasty wake-up call when a van entered his bedroom in Alamosa. The driver lost control of the vehicle and crashed into Gutierrez's apartment. No one was injured.
• A process is under way to allow more land grant heirs access to La Sierra. The historic parcel was re-opened to a few last summer, but more want to be able to graze livestock and gather firewood on the 77,000-acre parcel. Sifting through genealogy records could take a year.
• A house in Blanca exploded, possibly the result of a suicide attempt via propane.
• Energy and Mineral Impact Assistance funds will benefit the San Luis Valley to the tune of $939,316, mostly in building improvements. The Alamosa County Sheriff's Office scored $469,370 in grants from Homeland Security. A mobile command center is on the shopping list.
• A biodiesel mixing plant is slated to open in Alamosa.
• The Saguache County Courthouse will undergo restoration. Grants from the state historical society and the Department of Local Affairs totaled about $500,000.
• The state Division of Wildlife is trying to acquire as many as 50 new lynx to bring to Colorado. The agency estimates 46 lynx kittens have been born to the re-introduced cats in the last two years.
• Jim Gallegos was named acting police chief of Monte Vista. South Fork is still searching for a town manager.