Category Archives: 2023

2023, Uncategorized

Westcliffe Town Meeting – April 2023

Farmer’s Market to be Relocated This Year,
New Crosswalk to Remain  In Current Location,
Sheriff’s Office & Water District Reports

Town of Westcliffe Board
of Trustees Monthly Meeting
—April 18, 2023

By Becky Olson
The regular monthly meeting of the Board of Trustees for the Town of Westcliffe was held on April 18th, 2023 and convened as scheduled at 5:30 p.m. in the Town Hall conference room. A quorum of Trustees was present and proceedings commenced after recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and unanimous adoption of the consent agenda. Continue reading Westcliffe Town Meeting – April 2023 →

2023, Uncategorized

Christian Athletes Event- Speaker frmr MMA Fighter

CCHS FCA Invites Community for Special Speaker

The Custer County High School FCA is inviting the community to join them for their final meeting of the year.  On May 3rd at 6:30 pm, there will be pizza and speaker Kevin Woltkamp.  Kevin is a former football state champion and college football player as well as former MMA fighter.

Kevin’s story is one of addiction, heartache, and redemption.  The community should enter the EAST GYM door and the meeting will be in the commons. All are welcome to join the FCA group for its last meeting and special speaker.  See you Wednesday at 6:30 pm in the HS Commons (enter the East Gym door).

2023, Uncategorized

SDCEA Board Election in June- Candidate Forums

SDCEA Board Election in June
Candidate Forums – Online Voting

Cast Your Vote!

Press Release

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is making it easier than ever for members to vote in the 2023 board of directors election. For the first time in the history of the cooperative, members may vote by mail or online in the upcoming election.
Starting May 1st, ballots will be mailed out to all members of the cooperative with instructions on how to cast a ballot online or by mailing their vote in. Members and voting delegates with current email addresses on file with the cooperative will also receive an email with voting instructions. All ballots must be received by election company Survey & Ballot Systems, or cast online by 1 p.m., June 8th to ensure they are counted. Continue reading SDCEA Board Election in June- Candidate Forums →

2023, Uncategorized

New Towing Service in the Valley

by Fred Hernandez


She was a cute little girl growing up in her father’s world. A world of heavy equipment and large vehicles. As soon as Aspen could reach the controls she was learning to operate some of them. At the age of fifteen she was actively helping out as much as she could. As she matured her interest in equipment and heavy machines grew until it became part of her.
Aspen Baltzly is a home grown product of the valley who went to the local school. After graduation she went on to WyoTech to take up what she loved best, working with big equipment. She studied and earned her credentials as a Diesel Mechanic and has an AA degree in Business Management. She also took courses in welding. All this training and years of hands-on experience makes her eminently qualified to run her new business which was only formed late last month.
Today the twenty six year old daughter of Brad Baltzly, Aspen, has started a business that is in great need in Custer County. A towing service. And so, BALTZLY TOWING LLC was born. Her tow truck is an International 2300 wrecker style vehicle with a boom that sports dual winches. It is fully equipped with a stinger and wheel lift which means she can handle any situation including roll overs. In fact, she already came to the rescue of a propane truck that broke down a few days ago.
When not out doing towing jobs Aspen helps her Dad run equipment in the excavation business. Aside from her extensive experience in hauling she also has a hazmat endorsement on her CDL. This is one truly capable, ambitious young lady willing to do the hard work it takes to become successful. She has filled a much needed niche in Custer since we had lost our towing services a couple of years back. For all that time those who had car problems and needed a tow had to wait for the service to be provided from Penrose. At night and in the cold weather that can be one very long wait. Take note, then, in case you ever need the help. Aspen is there for you. Just call BALTZLY TOWING LLC at 719-458-9929. That number is available 24 Hours daily. The Email address is baltzlytowing@gmail.com
On Facebook you can reach Aspen at Baltzly Towing LLC.

2023, Uncategorized

BOCC: Gilbert Doubles Down on BOH Lib Takeover

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary

“You can’t fix stupid”. Repeat that three times and then go to a Custer County Democrat Party meeting and observe its true meaning. In the April 7, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) meeting we again see the manifestation of this saying in all its glory with our very own Fauci petite, lib democrat party honcho Jim “Doktor Doom” Gilbert again tried to usurp our elected officials’ authority and responsibilities. Continue reading BOCC: Gilbert Doubles Down on BOH Lib Takeover →

2023, Uncategorized

April 4 BOCC: Homeowner Charged with Arson, P&Z Bldg Permits Up

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
All three mighty musketeers were in the house at the April 4, 2023 Custer County Board of County Commissioners meeting: Chair Kevin Day and members Bill Canda and Tom Flower. The meeting started at 9 a.m.
After some time-wasting banter, Staff Reports were up. Reggie Foster from the Extension/4H Office reported that 4H had a great membership drive with 116 total members. She said the shooting sports program has a big enrollment and that there are two robotic teams formed. Continue reading April 4 BOCC: Homeowner Charged with Arson, P&Z Bldg Permits Up →

2023, Uncategorized

SDCEA Delays Rate Restructure, Plan Listening Sessions Scheduled for May

SDCEA Delays
Rate Restructure Plan
Listening Sessions Scheduled,
Cooperative Board Prioritizes the Hiring of New CEO

Press Release SDCEA
—April 7, 2023

At their first-ever Listening Session held at Buena Vista High School, the Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) Board of Directors announced that they have decided to put their rate restructuring plans on hold. The decision was made in order to prioritize the hiring of a new CEO, whose input and leadership would be crucial in the process of making any significant changes to the cooperative’s rates.
Chair Joe Redetzke said the CEO hiring process started at the beginning of April but is expected to take several months to complete. During the CEO hiring process, the board will focus on other priorities to ensure the smooth functioning of the cooperative. Members of the cooperative can rest assured that their rates will remain stable during this period, and any changes to the rates will be made only after careful consideration and with the input of the new CEO.
In a statement, the board of directors emphasized their commitment to ensuring the stability and financial health of the cooperative. They expressed confidence in their ability to continue to serve the needs of their members during this transitional period and thanked their members for their ongoing support.
SDCEA remains committed to providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity to its members and looks forward to hearing from members at upcoming listening sessions 6-8 p.m. May 10th at Howard Hall in Howard and May 15 at the Wet Mountain Saddle Club, Westcliffe. Redetzke, seated on stage with fellow directors, listened to member input, primarily on the cooperative’s proposed rate restructuring, for more than 90 minutes during the Buena Vista session.
SDCEA is a not-for-profit electric cooperative serving 14,000 member accounts in Chaffee, Fremont, Custer, Lake, and
Saguache Counties.

2023, Uncategorized

Kirkpatrick Bank Adds Trenton Stafford to its Board of Directors

Trenton Stafford

Press Release
OKLAHOMA CITY, OK
“We are pleased to welcome Trenton to our Board of Directors” said Kirkpatrick Bank President & CEO George Drew. “Trent has been the catalyst behind our growth in Colorado since joining Kirkpatrick Bank in 2012, as our Colorado Market President. He has assembled and leads a team with an unequaled depth of experience and capability in cash management, business banking, commercial and real estate lending. Trent and his team have immersed themselves within the communities we serve in Colorado, leading to significant growth in our market share.”
Mr. Stafford began his banking career upon graduation from Oklahoma State University in 1998, where he earned a dual degree in finance and commercial bank management. In addition to his role as Colorado Market President, he also serves Kirkpatrick Bank as Chief Lending Officer.
Mr. Stafford and his team are involved in numerous community activities in Colorado to include but not limited to, Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce & EDC; Fine Arts Center; Goodwill Industries; Philharmonic Guild; Colorado Economic Forum; Boulder Chamber of Commerce; CU Real Estate Council; CREW; City of Glendale Urban Renewal & Downtown Development Authority; San Isabel Land Protection Trust; Westcliffe Custer County Fair Board and much more.
He resides in Westcliffe, Colorado, with his wife and family.

2023, Uncategorized

New Fire Chief

 

WMFPD Fire Chief Jeremiah Coleman

by Fred Hernandez

Young blood flows through the Wet Mountain Fire District as the new fire chief takes command of his organization. After a year as assistant to the outgoing fire department boss, Jeremiah Coleman, from a well known family in the valley, took over as Fire Chief with the departure of the former officer. Jeremiah had been serving in the Board of Directors of the fire department since 2018 and that experience plus the eleven years he has been serving as a firefighter volunteer gives him the necessary credentials to effectively manage and lead the Custer County firefighting team. Continue reading New Fire Chief →