Category Archives: 2025

2025

Alisha Shy Nominated for CO CattleWomen Rookie of the Year

Alisha Shy Nominated for CO CattleWomen
Rookie of the Year

Cattlewoman Alisha Shy serving sloppy Joes at the fall 2025 Bobcat Homecoming football game. Photo by Teri Munson

  by Reggie Foster
L ocal Alisha Shy was recently nominated by Colorado CattleWomen for Rookie of the Year. How can someone with Alisha’s lifetime of experience in Ag to include ranching and owning a feed store be considered a rookie? Well, because this was Alisha’s first year as a member of the Custer County CattleWomen. She jumped in with both feet, attending every meeting and volunteering at every CattleWoman event, noticed by her fellow CattleWomen. Alisha also gives her time as Treasurer of the Custer County Fair Board and is the Club Leader for the Custer County Trailblazers. When asked why she gives so much of her time to so many community programs she said, “I do all of these things because I feel like volunteering is a good way to serve and give back to my community.” Custer County is proud to recognize Alisha Shy as our local CattleWomen Rookie of the Year.

2025

Sara Shields Colorado CattleWoman of the Year

Sara Shields Colorado CattleWoman of the Year

WESTCLIFFE, CO
Custer County CattleWomen are proud to announce that Sara Shields has been honored as the 2025 Colorado CattleWoman of the Year, recognizing her lifelong dedication to the beef industry, agricultural education, and land conservation.

Sara Shields
Photos courtesy of Custer County CattleWomen

A third-generation rancher, Sara carries forward the legacy of her family’s San Isabel Ranch, homesteaded in 1872 by her great-grandfather here in Westcliffe, Colorado. From a young age, she was horseback and active in every aspect of ranch life—from animal health and irrigation to haying and range management.
Sara is a graduate of Colorado State University, where she earned a Bachelor’s degree in Equine Science and a Master’s in Beef Industry Leadership. Her professional journey began with the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Association, where she lobbied on behalf of agricultural and rural communities at both state and federal levels.

For decades, Sara has played an active role in promoting beef
and supporting youth engagement in agriculture. She has worked tirelessly at the Colorado State Fair and National Western Stock Show since 1989, and continues to serve as a mentor and educator to young cattle producers. A former 4-H club leader, she remains involved in youth development through showmanship clinics and leadership training.
Most recently, Sara helped launch the Colorado CattleWomen’s Beef Ambassadors Program, which teaches youth vital communication and advocacy skills to promote the beef industry. She and fellow advocate Sudzy Benesch led the program’s inaugural workshop at the Colorado CattleWomen and Colorado Cattlemen’s Association joint convention in Steamboat Springs.
Beyond her work in the beef industry, Sara also serves her community as a pastor’s wife and continues her family’s conservation legacy. In 2003, the Shields family placed the San Isabel Ranch in a conservation easement, ensuring the preservation of Colorado’s natural resources and working landscapes for generations to come. Sara continues this stewardship today as a board member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Agricultural Land Trust.The Custer County CattleWomen extend heart-felt congratulations to Sara Shields for her exceptional leadership, advocacy, and lifelong commitment to Colorado agriculture. We are beyond proud to have her in our “herd”.
Sara has spent her life caring for this valley, its people and animals. She also served as the interim Custer County Extension Agent in 2017. Sara is loved by both young and old. Sara Shields sets the finest example in both agriculture and in loving kindness toward others. The Sentinel staff congratulates Sara on this recognition.

2025, Custer County Kids

FFA CREED CONTEST: I Believe in …

FFA CREED CONTEST: I Believe in …

by Sierra Foster,
Custer County FFA Chapter Reporter
High School’s FFA students recently took the stage in the school’s west gym to participate in the FFA Creed Contest. The contest showcases their confidence, knowledge of principles of agricultural leadership, and dedication to the Chapter. Continue reading FFA CREED CONTEST: I Believe in … →

2025

Claricy Rusk Recognized by Colorado CattleWomen

Claricy Rusk Recognized by Colorado CattleWomen

Claricy Rusk
Courtesy photo

by Reggie Foster
Claricy Rusk, a dedicated rancher and community advocate, has been recognized as the Colorado CattleWomen Southeast Member of the Quarter. This honor highlights her unwavering commitment to agriculture, conservation, and the future of ranching in Colorado. Continue reading Claricy Rusk Recognized by Colorado CattleWomen →

2025

Patricia Ann “Pat” Zweygardt

Obituary
Patricia Ann “Pat” Zweygardt
Patricia Ann “Pat” Zweygardt (née Reiling), age 69, passed away on August 9, 2025, in Canon City, Colorado. Her passing marks the loss of a vibrant and generous spirit whose warmth and adventurous nature touched many lives.
Born on April 12, 1956, in Lead, South Dakota, Pat was the daughter of Lester and Millicent Reiling. She grew up surrounded by a large and loving family that helped shape her into the big-hearted and spirited woman she became.
Throughout her life, Pat embraced every opportunity to live fully. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Regis University while raising her 3 children and worked in sales and information technology. She had a passion for cooking, sewing, and gardening. Her adventurous side shone brightly as well; she especially loved riding motorcycles, an activity that brought her freedom and exhilaration.
Pat’s generous heart earned her many friends over the years. She was known for making people feel welcome and valued wherever she went. Her home was often filled with laughter and conversation.
She is lovingly remembered by her husband, Johnnie Zweygardt; her children Jason Carr, Peter Carr, Leslie (Keith) Proctor; and her siblings Bill Reiling, June Reiling, Judy (Clark) Fleege, Mary (Mike) McKettrick, and Bob Reiling. Pat also leaves behind numerous grandchildren, nieces, nephews, other family members and friends who brought immense joy to her life.
She was preceded in death by her parents and her sister Debbie.
May Patricia’s memory bring comfort to all who knew and loved her. A Memorial Gathering will be held on October 18, 2025, at 03:00 PM at Pat and Johnnie’s home 1051 Indiana Avenue. All are welcome.
2025, Uncategorized

Custer County Considered a Childcare Desert

Custer County Considered
a Childcare Desert

 

Ella Wommack and friends developing their skills at Custer County Pre-K. Photo courtesy of CCECEC

   by Reggie Foster
On these brisk October mornings, the parking lot outside the Custer County Early Childhood Education Center (CCECEC) fills with the sound of car doors shutting, backpacks rustling, and little feet hurrying to their classroom. For many families, this drop-off is more than a routine; it’s a lifeline.
Just a few years ago, that lifeline didn’t exist. Parents scrambled for options, often piecing together care between relatives, neighbors, or reduced work hours. At the time, Custer County had only 15 full-day childcare slots for more than 250 children under the age of five. Of those, only four slots served infants and toddlers. That meant fewer than one in ten children had access to care. By every definition, Custer County was and is a “childcare desert.” Continue reading Custer County Considered a Childcare Desert →

2025

Sept 17 BOCC: DHS – upcoming work Req., A holdup on Visionary Broadband’s New Tower

BOCC: DHS – Upcoming Work Requirement,
Hold Up on Visionary Broadband ‘s New Tower

by Michael Foster
The September 17th Board of County Commissioners meeting was held at All Aboard Westcliffe. Canda and Vogelsong were in person while Epp attended via Zoom. Vogelsong highlighted attending a meeting about fire mitigation and the importance of home defense zones for protecting your property. Epp discussed finishing up the audit with Sam DaNardo. Epp and county Finance Director Vernon Roth are working through filing the final paperwork online with the IRS but the system is problematic, freezing up and/or kicking them off. They are continuing to move the issues up the chain for assistance and to hopefully get everything done online. Epp suggests also sending the report via certified mail for proof of submission.
Canda reported that the Airport Board is working to get the survey completed using a surveyor and that they are finishing up within budget. Canda met with Mesa County Commissioners on an initiative to ban pornography for children under 18. There are several steps to the initiative since the county is going to work to ban it. How do you enforce it? How do you prevent it from getting into school and municipal buildings? The technology does exist to block this type of content and hold the provider accountable. Mesa County is on board to champion and implement this bipartisan issue.
Attorney Dan Slater had nothing to cover outside of the agenda. He will be online for an Executive Session for legal advice regarding pending employment litigation. Continue reading Sept 17 BOCC: DHS – upcoming work Req., A holdup on Visionary Broadband’s New Tower →

2025

September Liberty Rocks- A FULL Agenda

 

September Liberty Rocks- A FULL Agenda

September 19, 2025

by Fred Hernandez

The meeting was called to order by Chair Ann Barthrop with the Pledge of Allegiance, the attendees singing America The Beautiful and the invocation by Dr. Ann Willson quoting President William Harding.  The late president said, “No education No vision” and ended his speech during American Education Week in 1922 with the prayer “Lord help us to protect the integrity of our education”.  A fitting prayer for these days.

First up was Author John DiGirolamo ardent crusader against human trafficking who has five books on the subject to his credit. Continue reading September Liberty Rocks- A FULL Agenda →

2025, BOCC

Sept 10 BOCC: Unfunded Mandates, Courthouse,  Kid Stats

 

BOCC:  Unfunded Mandates, Courthouse,  Kid Stats

September 10, 2025

by Sentinel Staff

This paragraph is for those who remember and prefer the Reader’s Digest version of the story.  Data was presented to substantiate that the county needs cheaper housing, more childcare, and a new court building. The committees attached to these efforts asked for permission to apply for grants to help pay for it.  Our school test scores are not good, however, we have the highest graduation rate in the state. SAR is getting training money and we have a landfill compactor for sale. The Commissioners voted to join other counties in standing their ground behind Colorado statute on unfunded state mandates. The End.

For those who prefer Long-Form, please keep reading. In their opening statements, Commissioners Vogelsong and Epp mentioned attending the Work Force Housing committee meeting. The group is getting closer and closer to solutions and options, and things are going very well. No specifics were given. Continue reading Sept 10 BOCC: Unfunded Mandates, Courthouse,  Kid Stats →

2025

Evergreen Takes Time to Heal, Custer County Prioritizes School Safety

Evergreen Takes Time to Heal

Custer County Prioritizes School Safety

by Reggie Foster,
Sangre de Cristo Sentinel

The students of Evergreen High School are learning from home this week as they try to heal from September 10th’s school shooting. The day one of their own took aim at them. With a revolver in hand, a 16-year-old Evergreen student was rapidly firing both inside and outside of the school. The shooter continued moving, reloading, and firing until two of his fellow students lay critically wounded and he turned the gun on himself.

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) completed a study in 2022 on half a century of mass shootings in our country. Early reports indicate that the Evergreen shooter fits most of the data.

  • Shooters are usually an “insider” meaning a student or employee of the institution.
  • Shooters leak or publish their plans ahead of time.
  • They are troubled by personal trauma or in crisis. Radicalization would likely qualify here.
  • Young shooters stole guns from their family members.

According to the study: “In particular, K-12 school and workplace shooters were ‘insiders’ — current or former students and employees. That finding has implications for physical security measures and the use of active shooter drills.”

Many have praised the efforts and quick actions of the Evergreen staff and students. Locked doors prevented the shooter from accessing parts of the three story school. Without the locked doors,  he would have accessed many more students and the outcome could have been much much worse. At the time of the shooting, the School Resource Officer (SRO) was 11 months into medical leave and the part time replacement SRO had been called away to respond to a vehicle crash. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office has informed Evergreen High School and the rest of that district that they will ensure a full time SRO moving forward.

The Custer County School District (CCSD) in partnership with the Custer County Sheriff’s Office (CCSO) already employs a full time SRO with a designated vehicle. The CCSD SRO, Kobe Lewsader, is on duty at the school during school hours and at other events as required. Custer County has the added benefit of the Sheriff’s Posse. Posse members are frequently on campus for additional safety and support of our students and staff. Since January 1, 2025, the Sheriff’s Posse has given 423 hours of safety coverage to the school and its extra activities.

The schools in Jefferson County are required to pay 50% of the SRO’s salary. A cost the JeffCo parents believe the District let get in the way of providing a full time SRO in the small mountain town’s high school. In comparison, the SRO cost to the CCSD is less than 50% for now.  The CCSO applied for and received a three-year Department of Justice COPS grant which funds 75%  of the SRO salary. The Custer County school district pays the remaining 25%. The grant ends in 2027.

In April of 2023, Sheriff Smith requested an independent assessment of the Custer County School District’s security.  Lewsader has been working diligently on the recommendations from that assessment. The school now has locking classroom doors, better signage, and other improved safety measures. The Custer County School District, CCSO and other stakeholders have been proactively working to make our schools as safe as possible.

The NIJ study also highlighted the fact that leakage is a common occurrence with mass shootings. Leakage provides an opportunity for intervention. Anonymous reporting systems may increase the likelihood of leakage. Sheriff Smith wants everyone in Custer County to know that we offer Safe to Tell as a method that students and others can anonymously report. Safe to Tell tips for Custer County go to the Undersheriff, SRO, and detective for follow up. https://post.colorado.gov/le-resources/colorado-safe2tell. Threat assessment teams that intervene with a holistic, collaborative approach to intervention are promising.

It’s important to note the written words of one CCSD parent to the Custer County Board of Education in April 2025.  “As parents, we daily say goodbye to those little people we treasure most in this world, and trust the school administration and staff to make the safety of our children of utmost importance in regard to every decision they make.” It’s a trust that both the CCSD and the CCSO value and will continue to work tirelessly to uphold.