Ortiz

Across the San Luis Valley, there are places that once stood at the center of everyday life but slowly faded as time moved on. Ortiz, Colorado is one of those places.

Located in Conejos County southeast of Antonito, Ortiz was once a small but active community tied to ranching, sheep production, and the growing economy of the early San Luis Valley.

A Community Built on Ranching

Ortiz began developing in the late 1800s as sheep and wool production expanded across southern Colorado. The community was originally known as “Los Pinos,” but was later renamed Ortiz after local rancher and store owner Nestor Ortiz.

A post office was established there around 1890, officially placing Ortiz on the map and helping connect local families to the outside world.

Life in Early Ortiz

Like many small Valley communities of the era, Ortiz revolved around agriculture, livestock, faith, and family. Stores, schools, and churches helped shape daily life, while nearby rail connections allowed wool and livestock to move across the region.

For a time, Ortiz was a busy and growing place within the Conejos County landscape.

The Slow Decline

As the sheep industry declined and transportation patterns changed during the early 20th century, smaller rural communities across the Valley began to lose population. Families moved toward larger towns, businesses closed, and places like Ortiz slowly faded from prominence.

The Ortiz post office eventually closed in 1943, marking the end of an era for the community.

What Remains Today

While much of the original community has disappeared, reminders of Ortiz still remain. The historic church and scattered remnants of the settlement continue to stand quietly against the Valley landscape, offering a glimpse into an earlier chapter of San Luis Valley history.

“Some places don’t vanish completely. They remain in the land, the buildings, and the memories of the people who once called them home.”

 Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI)

This week’s Community Spotlight highlights the Valley Educational Gardens Initiative (VEGI), a San Luis Valley nonprofit focused on strengthening local food systems through gardening, education, and community involvement.

VEGI works to improve access to healthy food while helping connect people to the Valley’s strong agricultural roots. Through community gardens, youth programs, nutrition education, and hands-on learning opportunities, the organization encourages healthier lifestyles and a deeper understanding of where our food comes from.

In a region built on agriculture, organizations like VEGI help keep that connection alive by promoting sustainability, local growing, and community engagement across the San Luis Valley.

Tucked into the southern end of the San Luis Valley, Manassa carries a rich blend of pioneer heritage, agriculture, and small-town pride. Though modest in size, the community has played an important role in the history and development of Conejos County and the Valley itself.

Founded in the late 1870s by settlers associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Manassa became one of Colorado’s earliest Mormon settlements. The town’s name comes from Manasseh, a son of Joseph from the Old Testament, reflecting the deep faith and determination of many of the area’s original families. Over the decades, those early settlers helped transform the surrounding land into productive farmland through irrigation, hard work, and community cooperation.

Agriculture remains at the heart of life in Manassa today. Fields of potatoes, alfalfa, grain, and pastureland surround the town, while the nearby Conejos River continues to support farming operations throughout the region. Like many communities in the San Luis Valley, Manassa maintains a strong connection to its agricultural roots and rural way of life.

The town is perhaps best known as the hometown of legendary heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey, famously nicknamed the “Manassa Mauler.” Dempsey’s rise from a small Valley town to international boxing fame remains one of the community’s most well-known historical connections and a lasting point of local pride.

Today, visitors to Manassa will find quiet streets, historic homes, beautiful mountain views, and a close-knit community atmosphere that reflects the character of the San Luis Valley. While much has changed over the years, Manassa continues to preserve the traditions, history, and small-town spirit that make communities like this such an important part of life in southern Colorado.

Have an event to share? Email editor@thesanluisvalleybeat.com.

🐾  Meet Kookie (Starla)

Kookie, also known as Starla, is a large adult female Boxer / Pit Bull Terrier mix with a beautiful white coat accented by brown or chocolate markings. With her unique look and expressive face, she’s the kind of dog who’s sure to catch your attention.

While her profile may be simple, Kookie could be the perfect match for someone looking to give a deserving shelter dog a fresh start and a loving home. Sometimes the best companions are the ones waiting quietly for the right person to notice them.

If you’ve been considering adding a new four-legged friend to your family, Kookie may be worth a closer look.

📍 Adoption Information

Upper Rio Grande Animal Society
Conour Animal Shelter
2825 Sherman Ave
Monte Vista, CO 81144
📞 (719) 852-3366
📧 shelter@urgasconouranimalshelter.org

👉 Contact the shelter directly to learn more about Kookie (Starla) or schedule a meet-and-greet.

Quick Facts

• Breed: Boxer / Pit Bull Terrier mix
• Sex: Female
• Age: Adult (born approx. 11/14/2024)
• Color: White with brown or chocolate markings

Not ready to adopt? Sharing Kookie’s story could help her find the perfect home.

 San Luis Valley Elk Chili

A hearty high-country chili made with ground elk, green chile, and adzuki beans.

There’s just something about a bowl of homemade chili after a long San Luis Valley day. This version uses lean ground elk, Hatch green chiles, and adzuki beans for a rich, comforting bowl with just enough smoky warmth. While many Valley cooks might reach for pinto beans and home-roasted green chile, this recipe puts a slightly different spin on a classic mountain comfort meal.

Serve with crackers, cornbread, or warm biscuits for the perfect cold-weather supper.

Ingredients

• 1½ pounds ground elk
• 1 tablespoon bacon grease
• 1 medium onion, diced
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• ½ teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning
• 1 teaspoon cilantro
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• ½ tablespoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon seasoned salt
• 1 teaspoon celery salt
• 1 teaspoon Tony Chachere’s Creole seasoning
• 5 cups beef broth
• ½ cup beer
• 1 14.5-ounce can petite diced tomatoes
• 1 10-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes with green chiles
• 1 8-ounce can tomato sauce
• 1 jar Hatch green chiles
• 1 cup dry adzuki beans, rinsed

Instructions

1. Sauté the aromatics.
Set the Instant Pot to Sauté mode. Melt the bacon grease, then add the diced onion and cook for 3 to 4 minutes, until softened. Add the garlic and sauté for 1 additional minute.

2. Brown the elk.
Add the ground elk and cook until browned, breaking it apart as it cooks.

3. Build the chili.
Pour in the beef broth, beer, petite diced tomatoes, Rotel, tomato sauce, and Hatch green chiles. Add all seasonings and stir well. Finally, stir in the rinsed adzuki beans.

4. Pressure cook.
Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to High Pressure for 45 minutes. Allow for a full natural release, approximately 30 minutes.

5. Serve.
Ladle into bowls and top with shredded cheese and dried chives. Serve hot with crackers, biscuits, or cornbread.

The San Luis Valley Beat is growing, and we’d love your help in making it a true reflection of our community.

If you have something happening in your town or organization, you can now submit it to be featured in an upcoming issue.

We’re currently accepting:

• Community events and gatherings
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• Good news stories from around the Valley
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Event listings are always free, and we review submissions regularly for upcoming newsletters.

Have something to share? Send it to:
editor@thesanluisvalleybeat.com