Frank V Flohr
Sep 8, 2026
ISSUE #32 · TUESDAY, September 8, 2026
"La Sierra Talks Begin, Saguache Weighs Data Centers, and a Rabies Warning for the Valley” Ken Salazar steps into the decades-long La Sierra dispute, Saguache County considers rules for future data centers, a rabid bat is confirmed in Alamosa County, and September brings festivals, art, potatoes and plenty to do across the Valley.🍁🧹🏹
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Ken Salazar, a San Luis Valley native and former U.S. Interior Secretary, has been appointed by Gov. Jared Polis as special envoy to guide resolution efforts in the longstanding Costilla County land dispute over Cielo Vista Ranch, also known locally as La Sierra.
The conflict traces back to the 1844 Sangre de Cristo Land Grant, with local descendants asserting traditional rights to graze livestock and gather resources—rights challenged by shifting ownership and ongoing litigation.
Tensions have grown following the construction of a tall fence by current owner William Harrison, sparking wildlife concerns and state intervention through new legislation requiring environmental oversight.
Salazar will lead discussion sessions with heirs, officials, and community members, aiming to develop recommendations for the governor by October 7.
While the process does not settle court cases, it represents a significant move toward compromise in a dispute that has shaped the region for generations. Read More... |
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Small Business Spotlight |
Bontrager's Variety Store |
Bontrager's Variety Store is one of those San Luis Valley shops where you can go in looking for one thing and end up discovering several more. This Amish-run country store outside Monte Vista carries an unusually broad selection, including kitchen and canning supplies, housewares, hardware, clothing and footwear, gifts, outdoor furniture, and solar and off-grid equipment. I've shopped at Bontrager's a few times myself, and part of the appeal is simply seeing what they have. It's a locally owned alternative to the big-box shopping experience and a store that's well worth knowing about. |
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Preserving the stories of places time forgot. |
Exchequer — A Mining Camp Overshadowed by BonanzaTravel into the mountains west of the San Luis Valley toward Bonanza and you enter country where almost every creek, gulch and hillside seems to carry a story from Colorado's mining days. One of those stories belongs to Exchequer, a little-remembered mining settlement along Kerber Creek that sprang to life during the rush of the early 1880s — and then faded while neighboring Bonanza became the name that endured. Today, Exchequer is another of the nearly vanished places scattered through the mountains surrounding the Valley. But for a brief time, its future must have looked considerably brighter. A Discovery on Kerber CreekThe story began in 1880, when prospectors were exploring Kerber Creek in the mountains west of Villa Grove. According to historical mining records, the first mineral-bearing lode located in what was then a very young Saguache County mining district was staked in May 1880. It was called the Exchequer. The discovery helped set off a rush. Rich ore was also found at the nearby Bonanza Mine, and prospectors, merchants and fortune seekers began pouring into the drainage. Within a remarkably short period, mining camps appeared throughout the district. Bonanza, Sedgwick, Exchequer, Bonito and other settlements sprang up as miners chased promising veins through the surrounding mountains. A Town Takes ShapeA settlement grew near the Exchequer Mine, a little more than a mile up Kerber Creek from Bonanza. Sometimes called Exchequerville, the camp became established enough to receive its own post office in 1881. That may seem like a small detail today, but in an isolated nineteenth-century mining district, a post office was an important sign that a settlement expected to stick around. Mining camps throughout Kerber Creek were becoming surprisingly developed. Historical accounts describe boomtown amenities including hotels, saloons, schools and churches. Roads connected the district with the railroad at Villa Grove, providing a vital link between the mines and the outside world. For the people building cabins and businesses at Exchequer, there was every reason to hope their camp might become one of the district's permanent towns. The Mine Had Real PromiseExchequer wasn't simply a speculative camp built around rumors. The mine produced considerable ore between 1881 and 1900, according to a detailed U.S. Geological Survey study of the Bonanza mining district. Reports from the 1880s described a substantial mineralized vein and silver-rich ore. By 1884, shipments of concentrating ore were being made regularly. The mine therefore continued to matter long after the settlement bearing its name began to fade. Bonanza Becomes the CenterBut mining districts rarely developed evenly. While Exchequer had the mine that helped launch the rush, nearby Bonanza emerged as the district's principal community. Bonanza grew into the commercial and transportation center of the Kerber Creek district. It had newspapers and stage and wagon connections to the Denver & Rio Grande Railway at Villa Grove. Exchequer's own post office lasted only until 1883. In just a few years, the pattern was becoming clear. The mine might survive, but the settlement surrounding it would not become the center of the district. When the Boom FadedThe larger Kerber Creek boom could not last forever. Mining settlements throughout the district declined during the 1890s as silver prices fell and profitable ore became more difficult to extract. Some camps disappeared almost completely. Even Bonanza, the winner among the competing settlements, eventually became a shadow of the booming town it once had been. The Exchequer Mine continued producing through the end of the nineteenth century, but after 1900 activity became much more limited. The little community that had grown beside it slipped away. Another Name Nearly Lost to the MountainsExchequer never became another Leadville, Creede or even Bonanza. Its post office existed for only a couple of years. Its buildings gradually disappeared, and its name faded from common use. Yet Exchequer played an important role in the history of this corner of the San Luis Valley. The discovery of its mineral lode in 1880 helped ignite the Kerber Creek mining rush and contributed to the creation of an entire district of mines, roads and boomtowns. Lost Places of the San Luis Valley Some places disappear because the railroad passes them by. Others vanish when a mine closes, a boom ends or people simply move on. Exchequer reminds us that sometimes a town can even help start a boom — only to watch another community become the place everyone remembers. Today, the name Exchequer is easy to miss. But along Kerber Creek, above Bonanza, it remains part of the story written into the mountains surrounding the San Luis Valley. |
Alamosa County Public Health is urging San Luis Valley residents to stay alert after confirming a rabid bat in the area.
The positive rabies test, announced August 28, highlights the risks of wildlife encounters, especially with bats and other animals acting abnormally.
Officials emphasize rabid animals don’t always appear aggressive—some may seem unusually tame, quiet, or confused, with odd vocalizations or trouble moving.
Residents are cautioned to avoid touching bats and stray animals, even if they seem sick or friendly.
Keeping pets’ rabies vaccinations current is critical, along with limiting their outdoor activities and not leaving food outside.
Anyone bitten or scratched should wash thoroughly and seek medical care immediately.
If a bat is found indoors with a sleeping person or unattended child, don’t release it—contact public health for guidance.
So far, 43 animals have tested positive for rabies in Colorado this year, underlining the importance of vigilance and prompt reporting. Read More... |
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SLV Community SolutionsSome organizations serve the San Luis Valley by providing a particular service. Others work behind the scenes to help the organizations providing those services work better together. SLV Community Solutions falls into that second category. Based in Alamosa and serving communities throughout the six-county San Luis Valley, the nonprofit works to strengthen partnerships, improve the use of local data, connect organizations and help identify gaps affecting Valley residents experiencing poverty. Finding Solutions Through CollaborationThe challenges facing rural communities rarely fit neatly within county lines. Housing, transportation, food access, employment and access to services can involve numerous organizations and agencies spread across a very large geographic area. SLV Community Solutions focuses on helping those pieces work together. Its work includes developing and analyzing data, strengthening referral networks, encouraging civic engagement and bringing organizations together to identify needs and develop practical responses. The organization conducted a regional needs assessment in 2023 using information from local programs, state and federal data, regional studies and conversations with community partners. The assessment looked at issues including housing, transportation, food access, broadband and homelessness. Putting Collaboration Into ActionOne example came during the 2025 school year, when SLV Community Solutions partnered with La Puente's Adelante Family Resource Center on a Valley-wide school supply effort. The effort raised approximately $34,000, along with donated supplies, and ultimately provided free school supplies to 3,501 PreK–12 students. Schools, community organizations, businesses, volunteers and donors from across the Valley helped make the distributions possible. The project also illustrates another part of the organization's mission: gathering information while helping meet an immediate need. Surveys conducted during the distributions provided additional insight into the circumstances facing Valley families, including the significant number of children being raised by grandparents and other relatives. A Valley-Wide ApproachSLV Community Solutions serves Alamosa, Conejos, Costilla, Mineral, Rio Grande and Saguache counties. DJ Salazar serves as executive director, while the organization's board brings together people with backgrounds in human services, community organizations and other areas of Valley life. In a region as large and spread out as the San Luis Valley, collaboration can be every bit as important as creating another program. By helping organizations share information, identify gaps and work together, SLV Community Solutions is building connections intended to make existing community resources more effective. Learn More SLV Community Solutions |
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Upcoming Events Around the San Luis ValleySeptember is getting busy around the San Luis Valley. From theater and art to potatoes, sustainable living and community activities, here are some events to put on your calendar for the week ahead. Sept. 8 — Personal Emergency Preparedness for Seniors | AlamosaThe SPARK Speaker Series presents Personal Emergency Preparedness for Seniors at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Alamosa Senior Center, 92 Colorado Ave. The program will offer practical information on preparing for emergencies, including utility disruptions, evacuations and transportation challenges. A Disaster Relief Kynd Kit volunteer event follows at 2 p.m., with volunteers assembling emergency kits for seniors and people affected by regional fires. Sept. 8–10 — Creede Repertory Theatre at Adams State | AlamosaCreede Repertory Theatre brings the one-person comedy Fully Committed to the SLV Federal Bank Main Stage Theatre at Adams State University. Graham Ward portrays 40 different characters in the comedy about a struggling actor working the reservation line at an exclusive New York restaurant. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. The production contains strong language and is recommended for ages 16 and older. Sept. 10 — Big Screen on the Green | AlamosaBig Screen on the Green continues Thursday at Adams State University. The free community evening includes pre-movie entertainment, food trucks and outdoor games, with the movie beginning after sunset. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and settle in for an evening outdoors. Sept. 11–12 — Alamosa Creates: ARTsFest | Downtown AlamosaDowntown Alamosa celebrates local creativity with two days of art and entertainment. ARTsFest includes live music, a downtown art walk, the unveiling of new public sculpture and opportunities to meet local artists. An artist reception kicks things off Friday evening, with activities continuing Saturday. The festival is free and family-friendly. Sept. 11–13 — 37th Annual Crestone Energy Fair | CrestoneThe Crestone Energy Fair returns for its 37th year with three days devoted to sustainable and regenerative living. This year's theme is “Tending land, shaping habitats, and growing communities rooted in regeneration.” The weekend includes workshops, demonstrations, music, art, discussions, natural and alternative building, land stewardship and community activities. Friday begins with a watershed restoration field trip and community potluck. Saturday includes demonstrations, discussions and the ScSEED Chili Cook-off, while Sunday features a pancake breakfast, electric vehicle showcase and additional programs. The Energy Fair itself is free. The popular tours of Crestone-area homes take place Saturday and Sunday mornings and require tickets. Sept. 12 — San Luis Valley Potato Festival | Monte VistaOne of the Valley's signature harvest celebrations returns Saturday to Chapman Park in Monte Vista. The San Luis Valley Potato Festival celebrates the crop that has helped define local agriculture with the annual 5K Tater Trot, craft and food vendors, guided agricultural tours, a chef demonstration, freshly harvested Colorado potatoes and the always-popular mashed potato dunk tank. Sept. 12 — SLV Battle of the Bowls | AlamosaThe SLV Battle of the Bowls takes place from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday at the Alamosa KOA, 6900 Juniper Lane. Add it to an already busy Saturday calendar around the Valley. Sept. 12–13 — Alamosa Open Studios | AlamosaAlamosa Open Studios offers a free, self-guided opportunity to visit local artists in their working spaces Saturday and Sunday. It's a chance to see where art is created, meet the people behind the work and explore Alamosa's local arts community. Sept. 12 — Alamosa Farmers Market | AlamosaThe Alamosa Farmers Market continues Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Ross Avenue and Sixth Street. Look for regional farm products, prepared foods and handcrafted goods, along with free children's activities from 10 a.m. to noon while supplies last. Have an event coming up? |
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Saguache County has implemented a six-month emergency moratorium on new data center projects, aiming to review and update local regulations before any such facility is proposed.
The temporary pause, unanimously approved by county commissioners in May, will last through November 5, giving officials time to assess concerns over water, electricity use, and rural land impacts.
Although no formal data center applications have been received, recent inquiries to the San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative prompted the move as officials determined current rules were inadequate for this fast-growing industry.
The moratorium also opened space for public discussions, including a recent meeting featuring community voices and climate action groups.
This proactive approach mirrors similar actions in South Fork and Rio Grande County, where leaders seek to balance potential economic benefits with local resources and community character. The outcome will set the framework for future proposals in the region. Read More... |
Raisin' Rye has become a familiar stop along Grand Avenue in Del Norte for fresh-baked breads, pastries and a good cup of coffee. Now owned by Aimee and Jonathan Snowden, the small bakery continues the business started in 2021 with an emphasis on quality ingredients and scratch-made baked goods. Sourdough breads, cinnamon rolls, bagels and other pastries share the counter with espresso and coffee drinks. Whether you're a Del Norte local or simply passing through town, Raisin' Rye is a good example of the small independent businesses that add something special to communities throughout the San Luis Valley. |
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💡 Tip of The Day
Don't let warm afternoons fool you. September temperatures in the San Luis Valley can change quickly once the sun goes down. If you're heading out for an evening event, hike, or drive, toss a light jacket or extra layer in the car—even when the afternoon feels like summer. Valley rule of thumb: dress for the afternoon, but pack for the evening. |
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Adoptable Pet of the Week: PandaMeet Panda, a beautiful black-and-white adult dog currently waiting for her new home at the Conour Animal Shelter in Monte Vista. Panda is a medium-sized female Pit Bull Terrier/Boxer mix with a short coat. Her approximate birth date is June 4, 2022, making her about four years old. According to the shelter, Panda can be cautious when meeting new people. She may appreciate someone willing to give her a little time to become comfortable and get acquainted. If you have been thinking about adding a four-legged companion to your household, stop by the shelter and meet Panda. She just might be the one you have been waiting for. Panda at a Glance Pet ID: #2058 Meet Panda at the Conour Animal ShelterUpper Rio Grande Animal Society – Conour Animal Shelter Shelter Hours: |
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Peach & Mustard Chicken Thighs with StuffingSweet peaches, savory stuffing and a little stone-ground mustard come together in this easy one-pan supper. Bone-in, skin-on chicken thighs roast right on top of the stuffing while the peach mixture bubbles around them, giving the dish a sweet-and-savory flavor that works especially well with the richer dark meat. This is also a good example of one of my favorite kinds of meals: simple ingredients, very little cleanup and enough food for dinner with leftovers for another meal. Peach & Mustard Chicken Thighs with StuffingServes: About 4 Ingredients
Directions
From My KitchenI have made a similar combination in the past using pork chops and apple pie filling, so peaches and chicken seemed like a natural variation. The stone-ground mustard helps cut through the sweetness of the peaches and gives the sauce a little more depth without making it spicy. The finished chicken developed a nicely browned top while the peach mixture cooked down into a rich sauce around the stuffing. Everything cooks in the same dish, making this an easy supper for a small household while still leaving enough for another meal. Kitchen Tip: Keep the peach mixture around the chicken rather than covering the skin. That allows the thighs to brown while the peaches, mustard and chicken juices create the sauce underneath. |
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📣 Community Tip LineSee something happening around the San Luis Valley? Let us know! The San Luis Valley Beat depends on readers throughout our six counties to help us keep an eye on what is happening. Send us your tips about new businesses, construction and development, community projects, local accomplishments, interesting people, changes around town, historical stories, photos, or anything else you think deserves a closer look. You do not have to write the story — just point us in the right direction. 📧 editor@thesanluisvalleybeat.com Six counties. One Valley. Your stories help us cover it. |
💡 ANSWER TO TRIVIA QUESTION: La Jara
The community was originally known as Lariat before becoming La Jara. The name La Jara is Spanish for “the willow.” |