Category Archives: Uncategorized

2024, Uncategorized

NEW BUSINESS TO SERVE Custer County Greenstreet Plumbing Services

NEW BUSINESS TO SERVE Custer County
Greenstreet Plumbing Services

by Fred Hernandez

Plumbing is simply the transportation of water, liquids from one place to another. Truly, necessity is the mother of invention. Thousands of years ago man created the beginnings of plumbing as we know it today. We can trace its history back to the ancient civilizations of the Greeks, the Romans, Egyptians, Persians and Chinese to name a few. Egyptians for example were among the first to utilize irrigation in farming. They also began drainage systems and even invented the water wheel.
The Minoan Palace in Crete which dates back to 4,000 BCE is the oldest known structure which used conical-shaped terracotta pipes to distribute water. The Greeks were arguably the first to devise the system for hot and cold running water for the benefit of their athletes. Romans built aqueducts to transport water from the mountains to the cities to provide potable water and for their public baths. Mesopotamians used clay pipes four thousand years ago. The root word from which plumbing is derived is plumbum the Latin word for lead from which much of the ancient pipes were made. Plumbing is one of the oldest professions of man. A most important cornerstone of any civilized society.
Here in our county we have the benefit of having one of the most experienced professionals in the industry, Chris Greenstreet, who comes from a long, long line of professional plumbers. While his company was officially formalized not too long ago, Chris, as the owner/ operator, has a lifetime of extensive training and experience. Born in Salida in 1981 he was the oldest of three children to a coal miner who worked the mines in Leadville. After his time at the mines his father worked for a big plumbing company based in Denver. Later he started his own successful company and the family moved to Cañon. Chris attended the high school in Westcliffe and graduated from Custer County High School.
After that his training and work experience can only be described as boundless. Starting with his apprenticeship application with U.S. Engineering at which his test scores ranked him number two but unfortunately 9/11 happened at the time and he was unable to pursue that opportunity. One who is not easily deterred he applied in several other big companies but was only able to snag a job as a tinner which is one who fabricates sheet metal. This talent served him well later in his career. He was the fastest worker in the company and outdistanced everyone on any job needed. Over the years he went on to work for big companies including R.K Mechanical and Cobb Mechanical which had contracts with the State building large prisons. In fact it was in one of those huge projects that he got his AHA! moment. It was in 2009, and the project was a prison in Cañon City. He was with the foreman, and they were waiting for the superintendent to go over the blueprints. Chris read the prints and did all the measurements on a four thousand square foot project before the supervisor came in and at that moment, he realized he was way ahead of the game and all his training had paid off. Some of the other big jobs included Fort Carson and Cheyenne Mountain Zoo where he worked on the elephant and lion exhibits. After a time working with the big companies his father needed some help so he went to work for his Dad. After his father passed away Chris went on his own. Today with a Masters License, Bonded and fully insured Chris is in business to serve his community. He is a patient man who listens carefully to his clients. In fact he treats clients like old friends. A critical thinker, he takes the time to explain in detail so the client is fully informed of the work at hand. This is my community Chris says, and I am not motivated solely by money but by the good service I can provide to ensure the full satisfaction of my clients. His intention is to create long-term relationships. A professional like Chris is most welcome in any community.
Chris can be reached at (719) 783- 2800 or email him at Greenstreetplumbing@gmail.com

 

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Obituary Jerald Estis – Service Friday December 20

Obituary

Jerald Estis

Jerald Estis

What a grand exit he made leaving no doubt as to where he was going… straight into the arms of Jesus!

2 Timothy 4:6-8: “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.”

Jerald Marvin Estis was born in Jane, Missouri, on October 18, 1934, to Erma Aline Reed Estis and Cleo Warner Estis. He was their firstborn son.
In the spring of 1936, Jerry and his parents moved from Joplin, Missouri, to the Estis Ranch on Waugh Mountain, which is 16 miles north of Cotopaxi. He lived on the ranch with his parents and brother Tom until 1949 when the family moved to Cotopaxi, into the home they had built close to town so he and his brother could attend Cotopaxi School. He attended Cotopaxi School from first through12th grade and as a sophomore in high school he became a board member for the Cotopaxi Church where he served as a deacon from 1950 to 2010. In 1952, he began work for Fremont County Road and Bridge crew for three years, until he was called to the Army in 1955 by Uncle Sam in the draft.
While in the Army, Jerry served two years, mostly stationed in Germany, where he was part of the American Rifle Team. Jerry was an excellent marksman and in the world competition, he and his team won the World Championship against all NATO countries
– Go USA!
After his discharge from the Army, Jerry returned to Cotopaxi where he resumed his service on the Cotopaxi Church board and his job with the Fremont Road and Bridge, which was held for him, during his service away. In 1960, he married the love of his life, Sharon Church, with whom he had three daughters, Twila (Darell Geroux), Toloa (Jerry Pearl), and Treva (Willie Dominguez), which led to nine beautiful smart grandkids and 20 great grandkids.

In 1963, he began work with the Colorado state highway system, maintaining West Highway 50 for 25 years until his medical retirement due to wounds received in a motorcycle accident. On August 1, 1985, at the age of 50, his life took a sudden turn when he and Sharon, were struck by an oncoming vehicle while returning from vacation on their motorcycle. Due to the wounds he sustained in the accident, he was forced into medical retirement. His remaining years, from age 50 – 90, were spent living with and overcoming the injuries that occurred during that accident.
In addition to his primary employment, he was an expert carpenter, crafting custom homes, custom furniture, and personalized cabinetry after hours and on weekends. He enjoyed crafting unique items for his grandchildren such as wooden knives, slingshots, ping pong ball guns and the like. He enjoyed reloading ammo, driving fast cars, hunting, attending auctions, and he was a connoisseur of good food, particularly favoring sirloin steak. In addition to the church board, his service to the community included two terms on the Cotopaxi School board and 10 times on the election board for the Sangre de Cristo Electric Coop. He remained a member of Cotopaxi Church until he passed on December 14, 2024.

Jerry made many important decisions, but the most significant decision of his life was welcoming Jesus into his heart at an early age thus setting the stage for lifelong service to Jesus Christ. His second most important decision was his marriage to Sharon, the love of his life, and service to his family. His family was his treasure; he often declared himself the richest man on earth, “richer than Elon Musk” he would say, valuing his wife, daughters, sons-in-law, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Above all, he prayed fervently for the salvation of each family member, focusing on eternal life with Jesus as the ultimate goal. Jerry was the epitome of kindness, strength, and moral character and integrity, always leading by example rather than words.

Jerry quoted this scripture often: Ephesians 2:8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” 

The 40 years following his motorcycle accident were physically and mentally trying, to say the least. He lived in constant pain and struggle and without his faith in God and the constant service and excellent care of his wife Sharon, the difficulties would have been impossible and would have taken a lesser man out many times. Although his physical life in his later years was defined by the physical difficulties he endured, his spiritual and emotional life was enriched daily by his family and friends. He loved the visits from friends, who stopped in daily for long conversations and to assist with simple tasks around his home. He loved telling stories of life on his ranch and life with his wife, kids and grandkids, often bragging, like a grandpa can, on the exploits and shenanigans of his grandkids.

A poem by Robert W. Service, that his mama taught him as a young boy, and that he quoted as a young man became the defining character in his life, even to the day of his death. The poem is as follows:….

The Quitter
When you’re lost in the wild and you’re scared as a child, And Death looks you bang in the eye, And you’re sore as a boil, it’s according to Hoyle To cock your revolver and die.
But the code of a man says: “fight all you can,” And self-dissolution is barred. In hunger and woe, oh, it’s easy to blow, It’s the Hell-served-for-breakfast that’s hard.
“You’re sick of the game ! ” Well, now, that’s a shame, You’re young and you’re brave and you’re bright. “You’ve had a raw deal!”
I know – But don’t squeal, Buck up, do your damnedest, and fight!
It’s the plugging away that will win you the day, So don’t be a piker, Old Pard! Just draw on your grit, it’s so easy to quit, It’s the keeping your chin up that’s hard!
It’s easy to cry that you’re beaten
and die, It’s easy to crayfish and crawl, But to fight and to fight
when hope’s out of sight —
Why that’s the best game of them all.
And though you came out of each grueling bout, All broken and beaten and scarred, Just have one more try – it’s dead easy to die, It’s the keeping on living that’s hard.
— Robert W. Service

Jerry’s life was a testament to perseverance, faith and love, leaving behind a legacy of resilience and deep familial bonds.

Funeral Services will be held on Friday, December 20th at 11 a.m. at the Cotopaxi Church. Post-service there will be a Graveside Service with Military Honor Guard Salute, followed by lunch served back at the Cotopaxi Church.

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Christmas Eve Services -Local

(May not be a complete list of services in Custer County)

5 p.m. CHRISTMAS EVE CANDLELIGHT & COMMUNION SERVICE – Cotopaxi Community Church – 20326 US Highway 50, Cotopaxi

5 p.m. CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – First Baptist Church – 410 South 6th, Westcliffe

4 p.m. NATIVITY OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST
Our Lady of the Assumption Roman Catholic Church – 109 South 5th Street, Westcliffe

6:30 p.m. (Potluck 5:30 p.m.) CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
-St. Lukes Episcopal Church
201 South 3rd Street, Westcliffe

5 p.m. CANDLELIGHT SERVICE – Sangre de Cristo Cowboy Church 60260 Hwy 69, Westcliffe

5 p.m. CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICE
Sangre de Cristo Fellowship
20 Jerry Drive, Westcliffe

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BOCC: Ex District Attorney to Be Sued, No Trailer for OEM, HS Director Hired

BOCC: Ex District Attorney to Be Sued,
OEM Empire Building Expense Shot Down, New Human Services Director Hired

by George Gramlich, News and Commentary
The November 11, 2024 regular meeting of the Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) started at 9 a.m. in their regally appointed den in the Annex across from the courthouse. All three County Commissioners were present: Bill Canda, Lucas Epp and Kevin Day.
In Commissioner Items, Epp said he is working on the budget, “whittling it down as much as possible”. (See below for comments regarding the huge deficit and optional county spending.) He said the budget must be approved at the December 11 BOCC meeting.
Canda then dropped a bombshell saying that Fremont County and Chaffee County are suing the fired and disbarred ex 11th Judicial District Attorney, Linda Stanley, to attempt to recoup money she used from her DA budget to defend herself in the complaint that eventually caused her demise. (He elaborated on this later in the meeting, but the following is the sum of both comments.) The two counties contend that Stanley, using some of the 11th Judicial District DA budget money to defend herself personally in the legal matter, was wrong. Canda said he was asked to see if Custer County would join the lawsuit. (It has not been filed yet.) The Fremont County Attorney is doing the lawsuit and absorbing all the costs. If they succeed in getting some compensation from Stanley, the money would first go to cover the Fremont Attorney’s costs and if there is any left over, it would go to the counties participating in the lawsuit. The Commissioners agreed to join the lawsuit. (The Sentinel will keep you posted on this.)
In New Business, the Commissioners approved the Accounts Payable disbursement of $92, 075. They left out an invoice from the Sheriff’s Office for $3,075 that they said needed additional documentation.
The next Agenda Item was a request by our Office of Emergency Management Director, Robyn Knappe, to buy a “dump trailer” so some citizens who are mitigating their private property can move logs from the mitigation to the proposed
Veterans Firewood Bank. This trailer would cost $14, 085. Also, it could be used by these private citizens to move slash to the landfill. This is part of Ms. Knappe’s county mitigation effort. She has previously requested that the county spend $100k ($50k in county tax money and $50k in “grants”) to buy a humongous woodchipper that PRIVATE landowners could use to chip their slash when they are mitigating. This would take work away from our local companies that do mitigation. (This would also involve a county employee in driving the chipper to their properties and running it. All told, Knappe is proposing to spend over $120k in taxpayers’ money to help a few landowners mitigate their PRIVATE property. Plus there will be increased insurance and maintenance costs. Warning, the Following Is a Taxpayer’s Rant: This is a conservative, Republican county. With a ton of retirees on fixed incomes. We want SMALL, EFFICIENT GOVERNMENT. We do NOT WANT BIGGER GOVERNMENT, MORE SPENDING AND THUS MORE TAXES. We do NOT WANT TO PROVIDE MORE SERVICES BECAUSE THEY COST MONEY. OUR MONEY. Inflation is killing us. Tax and fee increases are killing us. This mitigation expense, for landowners that in all reality are probably fairly well-to-do, will do NOTHING to help the county considering the immense size of the county and the massive wooded areas we have. NOTHING. It is less than a drop in the bucket. It is a typical big government feel-good, waste of our tax money make work project.
Now let’s take a quick look at our county budget for this year. First, our budget is around $9 million with around half or so coming in grants. So, about $4.5 million of that comes from our property taxes and miscellaneous county income (like P&Z building/septic fees, which are DOWN dramatically from last year). Knappe’s mitigation proposal of over $120k is a sizable hunk of our local taxes. For just a few citizens. Doesn’t seem like a wise use of our money. Plus here is where we stand for our 2025 County budget: Epp said it looks like the Commissioners will have to CUT ROAD & BRIDGE’S BUDGET BY AROUND $300K AND POSSIBLY THE SHERIFF’S BUDGET BY $200K! Plus other cuts. Folks, the two most important budget items in the county are R&B and the Sheriff’s Office. We could be cutting about a half a MILLION dollars from the two most important departments. Our PRIORITY SHOULD BE R&B AND THE SO. Period. Not pet projects to benefit a few while our roads need help and the SO needs money to protect us. Ms. Knappe is a nice lady, but she is not working for the state in Denver where there is no real oversight of how one spends tax money. This is Custer County and EVERY TAX DOLLAR IS IMPORTANT. The Commissioners are pinching pennies as our expenses next year are way over our anticipated income. Proposing a $100k chipper and a $14k dump trailer for a few people to cut down trees on their private property is way out of line for this county and totally WRONG considering the massive cuts we are making to essential services. It is FISCALLY IRRESPONSIBLE. There is only so much money here in Happy Valley, and that must go to what is important and benefits every taxpayer, not just a few. We can’t afford an OEM empire here in Custer County, folks. The Commissioners need to kill these two requests and ask Ms. Knappe to understand that there is a very limited amount of money here to spend in Custer County and that must go to essential services NOT OEM feel-good items. This ain’t Denver. Small government is good government. End of rant.
To their credit, and led by Canda, the Commissioners in a very nice way told Ms. Knappe that we are broke and can’t afford this insanity. Canda made the best comment with, “The People can do it”. (Amen. It is the citizens’ property and not the county’s property.) Epp had a good one too with, “Just because there is money left doesn’t mean we have to spend it”. Epp added, “funds are not good”. (That is, there is NO MONEY!) Thankfully, the Commissioners let this dump trailer request die. (However, the Taj Mahal $100k chipper is still being considered. Commissioners, if you are making massive cuts to essential services like R&B and SO, spending $100k on this is WRONG. Kill it.)
Next was a big hubbub about spending “LATCF” and “ARPA” funds this year so we don’t have to give them back. (The ARPA money was the big grants the feds and state handed out to local governments while they were killing us with jabs and masks during the Covid panic.) It was a little confusing with all the acronyms they were using, but it looked like they had about $700k to allocate and with a series of resolutions they did that. Of note, the airport got $125k and “work force housing”, IT, and the county’s contingency fund all got pretty big bucks.
Epp then went over the BOCC’s 2025 schedule. The Commissioners are moving their meetings from the Annex to All Aboard Westcliffe as having them in the Annex disrupts Finance and Human Resources. This will cost a few thousand to rent the place. The BOCC meetings will be moved to Thursdays in 2025 as All Aboard is booked on Wednesdays.
And that was it for the BOCC meeting, but dear readers, we have a BONUS BOCC meeting to briefly report on: A special BOCC meeting to choose the next Human Services Department Director. This was at 3 p.m. on the same day as the above meeting. After the usual formalities, Epp said that the Commissioners had four applicants for the job, and he liked two of them but “it came down to one for me”. Canda then said the same thing and said, “We have one superstar”. Day agreed in his fashion. They moved to offer the superstar the job at a salary of $80k per year. Human Resources Director, Bob Smith, then called the lucky one and she accepted. Her name is VIcki White.
And that was another joyous day in Happy Valley.

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Obituary- Lucy Gaide

 

Lucy Gaide

In the spirit of gratitude, Lucy Gaide peacefully made her transition on Thanksgiving Day, November 28, 2024, at Brookdale Monument Valley in Colorado Springs.
Lucille (Copelin) Gaide was born in Pueblo, Colorado, on January 29, 1925, and enjoyed a full and productive life of nearly 100 years. Other than ten years spent in California as a child, she lived in Colorado. In 1941, Lucy married Art Gaide and went on to have two children. As a young, married mother she held several professional positions: telephone switchboard operator, beautician, and State Hospital attendant. She then earned her Practical Nursing degree and her Psychiatric Tech-nician certification. She pursued her passion working for years as Charge Nurse on the night shift at the Colorado State Mental Hospital in Pueblo. Later she kept books at the Standard Oil Bulk Plant that she and Art owned in Pueblo before retiring to Westcliffe.
Once in Westcliffe, she designed and had her dream home, a gingerbread house adorned with hearts, built on Granada Court. For a time, she lived with her husband and grandchildren, Mike and Shawn, and was an active participant in the community. She was called to the ministry and graduated from Unity School of Christianity in 1985. Her prayer ministry was part of her daily practice, and she provided guest sermons at multiple Sunday services and readings at weddings and funerals. She held a special place in her heart for all animals and provided loving care for many dogs and cats over the years. Lucy and Art divorced
after 42 years of marriage and she lived quietly in her home in Westcliffe, taking care of herself until she was 98.
Lucy is survived by her children: Michael (Midori) Morgan-Gaide
of Seattle, WA, and Dove Cogen of West Brookfield, VT; grand-children: Michelle (Claude) Kerno, Mike (Robin) Gaide, Shawn (Brenda) Gaide, ldania (Christian) Mathews, Mark (Samantha) Morgan, Kent (Sharon) Bulloch, Kristali (William) Cameron; daughter-in-law Sandi Gaide; her dear
niece Cheryl (Don) Breeding; 19 great-grandchildren; 6 great-great-grandchildren; 10 nieces and nephews; and many loving friends. She was predeceased by her parents, Charles and Lucille Copelin, her brother, Charles Copelin, Jr., son-in-law David Cogen, grandchild Jef Cameron and former husband Art Gaide.
There will be an intimate graveside service Saturday, December 14th at noon at Ula Cemetery, Westcliffe, Colorado.
“In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Humane Society at https://www.hsppr.org/donate.”

2024, Uncategorized

Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church Nativity December 14

Canon City, Colorado

Saturday, December 14th, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m. Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church will continue its traditional re-creation of the birth of Christ as a Living Nativity presentation.

Visiting the Living Nativity has become a tradition for many viewers, as well as the participants. New visitors are invited to join in the tradition at 801 N. Sheridan Avenue in Canon City to help celebrate the Christmas season.  Visitors are invited to stop in the Church to warm up and enjoy soups, hot drinks and cookies.

The cast, consisting of members of Shepherd of the Hills and Christ Episcopal Churches and other volunteers from the community, includes the Holy Family, angels, shepherds and wise men, all outdoors.  Many others are involved as support staff behind the scenes.  The live animals are provided by the Juan and Marlissa Gonzalez family from Wetmore, who have been involved since 2018.  Donations of nonperishable food and cash will be accepted and given to Loaves & Fishes Ministries of Canon City, which distributes food boxes to Fremont County families in addition to other services it provides.

Upon arriving at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, 801 N. Sheridan, Canon City, visitors may either drive through and observe the Nativity from their vehicles, or they can park their vehicles and walk along the changing scenes as the story is told through Bible readings and music.  Either way, visitors will be participants in the reason for the season, the story of the birth of Christ the Savior in Bethlehem over 2000 years ago.

2024, Uncategorized

December 5-8 The Cliffs Celebrate Christmas Season

Friends of the Library
Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair

December 5, 2 to 5 p.m. & December 6 & 7, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair to benefit the West Custer County Library@ Hope Lutheran Lange Hall, 312 South 3rd Street Westcliffe.

Christmas Benefit Concert for Lighthouse Pregnancy Center— December 6th

Press Release:
Hillside Events is excited to announce a special Christmas concert benefiting the Lighthouse Pregnancy and Family Resources Center on Friday, December 6,  6 p.m. at the historic Hillside Hall in beautiful Hillside, CO, featuring the Valley’s own Sons & Brothers!
The Lighthouse Pregnancy Center exists to help families through material, emotional and spiritual support. They uphold the value of life from conception on and they strive to serve our community with love, humility and wisdom as disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. The pregnancy center is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization and relies on donations from the community to continue the essential work they do in providing support for women, children and men in Custer County. Examples
of the services Lighthouse Pregnancy Center provides include pregnancy testing, on-site ultrasounds, baby food, clothing, diapers, accessories/equipment, scholarships for high school students and many more. The center also plans to bring nurses services and new programs/groups for parents and families very soon! Pregnancy centers like the Lighthouse are an indispensable asset to communities all over the country and we hope you join us in supporting their amazing work!
Sons & Brothers are Mike, Aaron, and Joe Wolking, along with Rob Paulin on drums and guitar. The boys have been delighting audiences with their unique blend of American musical styles for more than 25 years. Now the band is focusing on bringing the
Gospel message to people through music and stories. In addition to the Sons & Brothers, the 2024 Christmas concert will also
feature special guests, so don’t miss out on the musical magic that is sure to ensue!
Drinks and light refreshments will be provided. Admission is free; however, due to very limited seating, tickets are required for entry. We strongly recommend reserving your tickets in advance. To request tickets, please call 719-207-3289, 719-371-7711, or email lighthousehelp1@gmail.com. You can also visit www.townofhillside.com or www.sonsandbrothers.com for more information. We look forward to seeing you there!

Historic Beckwith Ranch

Press Release
Soon the lights at Historic Beckwith Ranch will be turned on for the Christmas Season.
Saturday, December 7th, Friends of Beckwith Ranch, Inc. will celebrate the final event of the year, the Beckwith  Traditional Christmas.
The event begins on Saturday at 11 a.m. Bring the family out to see the festively decorated rooms of the old Beckwith Mansion and vote for your favorite. The Celtic High Mountain Strings will be there playing great Celtic music. Bring the kids for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Then the kids can make their own original Christmas Ornaments to take home for their tree. Refreshments will be offered for everyone and the Beckwith Gift Shop will be open for gift shopping.
Sunday, December 8th, Carolers will be on hand to sing our favorite traditional Christmas songs. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be there again for the kids and photos. Tour the rooms and vote on your favorite. The winners of the room decorations will be announced at 4 p.m.
And throughout the day, refreshments will be served and the Gift Shop open for shopping.
This event marks the end of the 2024 year for the ranch. It is your last chance for a guided tour and a fun day at Historic Beckwith Ranch. At the end of the day, we will announce the newest inductees into our Hall of Fame. Keeping Beckwith alive for another year is our mission and you can help with a generous donation.

Santa and Mrs Claus in Silver Cliff

December 7, 2-4 p.m.
Santa & Mrs. Claus @ Silver Cliff Town Shop
1011 Butler St.   Goody bag, hot dogs and more.

PARADE DOWNTOWN

Christmas Parade “Magical Musical Christmas”
on Silver Cliff and Westcliffe Main Streets at 4:30 p.m.
For more information or to register see ValleyStrong.us
Tree Lighting at dusk, followed by a reading of “A Christmas Carol” at the Historic Jones Theater.

 

Festival of Cheer

Custer County Elementary Festival of Cheer, formerly known as the Festival of Trees, will take place Friday, December
6th, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Saturday, December 7th, from 12 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The event will be held at Hanssen Hall at 218 Main Street. The entrance is to the right of Hayden Outdoors Realty, and the space is a fantastic open area right in the heart of Downtown Westcliffe.
All members of the community are invited to
attend!
This year, festival-goers will have the opportunity
to bid on auction items such as student-decorated
trees and wreaths, gift baskets, and other holiday items. We are also excited to introduce the NEW “Buy This Item Now” feature, allowing attendees to take home their desired items immediately!
Additionally, there will be a special KIDS ONLY TABLE with items priced for children’s wallets and purses. Refreshments and carolers will also be part of this special event!

Wet Mountain Valley Community Chorale
 Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 8th

Season’s greetings, everyone!
Yes, it is that festive time of year again and the Wet Mountain Valley Community Chorale welcomes you to join us for a concert performance of “Lessons and Carols”.
This year’s event is being held at the First Baptist Church in Westcliffe on Sunday, December 8th, with performances at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. We are so pleased to be led once again by our wonderful Sarah Peachey, director, and amazing Cheryl Pinnella, accompanist.
The WMVCC is a non-profit organization and the concert is free to attend. Free will donations to support the chorale will be happily accepted. All funds are used to support the expenses of the chorale, including providing child care so that young parents are able to participate. We so appreciate your generous past support of us, our love of music, and our desire to add to the joy of the Christmas season as we celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ. We look forward to seeing you all there, friends and neighbors!
FBC is located at 410 S 6th St, Westcliffe.

2024, Uncategorized

Cameron Fore Joins Custer County School Board

via Custer County Schools
Facebook Page
Custer County Schools
Shared with Public

We’d like to welcome Cameron Fore to the Custer County School District Board of Education! The members put in countless hours to help make our District the best it can be and we are infinitely grateful!
Introducing School Board Director Cameron Fore:
Cameron has been a Bobcat parent for three years. Cameron brings his more than 25 years of experience in the Information Technology Industry to the District. He also serves our community as a member of the Sheriff’s Posse and serves as a 4-H Shooting Sports Leader. Cameron’s vision for the District is to improve student access to quality education while fostering a safe learning environment.

2024, Uncategorized

Nov 19 Mtg: Westcliffe to Move Forward on Grant Application for Infrastructure to Town Lots

Westcliffe to Move Forward on Grant Application for Infrastructure to Town Lots,
7th Street Rezone Approved, New Loader in the Works for Snow Removal

Westcliffe Town Meeting
November 19, 2024
by Laura Vass
The Regular Board of Trustees meeting for the town of Westcliffe started at 5:30 p.m. Pro Tem George Mowry called the meeting to order. Mayor Wenke attended remotely via Zoom through the first public hearing and vote. They had a quorum, however, without his presence.
Under New Business, the board approved the lease agreement with 4 Rivers Equipment with payments to begin January 2025. This will include one new piece of equipment deemed more appropriate for snow removal noting that currently owned attachments will also work with the new loader. Town Manager Caleb Patterson said that he got an improved interest rate.

Next the board went into a Public Hearing for Consideration of Approving Rezoning Blocks: 19 & 20, 33 & 34, and Town-owned lots in Westcliffe from Residential to Multi-Family District. (Finalizing this has been a long process.)
The Board heard a few residents and discussed ordinance 5-2024 being considered. There still seems to be a consensus among business owners that there should be protections in place to keep any future housing on the town owned lots for the workforce first, avoid overbuilding, due diligence on research of any “strings attached” to grant monies, and insuring builders provide sufficient parking. Caleb answered the the last item about parking, saying that any future builder on the town owned lots would need to provide 1.75 parking spaces per unit. Other zoning requires two paces per unit.
After the Public Hearing the Town board voted yes on #5-2024, Rezoning only the Town owned lots from Single Family to  Multi-Family District. The board voted no on the alternative ordinance #6-2024 which would have rezoned privately owned blocks.
A couple of post-vote comments that were notable were that 1) the town has made it possible for all home builders to add on to a home or home plan and ADU.  Duplexes are already allowed under current zoning for the lots in blocks 19 and 20. So flexible housing choices are already in place. 2) Mr. Schneider noted after a question about getting water to the private lots at a later time, that he could only comment as an engineer and not representer, that he hoped there would be an adjustment to the grant application for water/sewer to these lots (which will be completed and submitted at the beginning of December by Caleb) that would ensure that the infrastructure to the lots would accommodate any future extension of lines into the other blocks not being considered for rezoning.

The board went back into a new hearing for ordinance #7-2024 on Rezoning 106 South 7th Street. From Residential Single Family to Traditional Neighborhood per the Planning Commission’s recommendation.
The owner has plans to create housing and a rentable/leaseable event space and off-street parking. The owner’s plan is to create another venue for the dance studio, the VFW, etc. to use. A Caterer’s kitchen is also being considered in his plans. Ordinance #7-2024 was approved.

Next on the regular meeting agenda was a request to hire a part-time/ at will IT employee for the town’s website. The Town office staff has been doing their own IT. That was also approved.

The last item of business was to approve paying the bill on construction of the EV charging station via Black Hills Energy. The cost went over in construction by $8,047.60. The board approved this.
Under staff reports, Erin Christie said the audit is complete and has been filed with the state. It did not affect their sales tax income. The request for an extension was due to the auditor who was out for a period of time due to personal circumstances.
Caleb Patterson gave a short report on his preparations for the next Housing Needs Assessment.

2024, BOCC, Uncategorized

November 20 BOCC: Fleet Mgt Presentation, Bonuses, Meeting Location Change

BOCC: Fleet Management Presentation, Employee Bonuses,
BOCC Meeting Location Change

 

George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The November 20, 2024 Custer County Board of County Commissioners’ (BOCC) regular meeting was held in their royally appointed quarters in the Annex across from the courthouse.
It started around 9 a.m. All three Commissioners were present: Bill Canda, Lucas Epp and Kevin Day.
In Commissioner Items, Epp said the Commissioners had to sign the 2025 budget in their December 11 meeting coming up. Day said he had received a letter from the County’s insurance carrier, CTSI, warning against “mass changes” in personnel when the new board convenes in January. (That, folks, was a little strange. There is one new Commissioner coming on board in January.) Epp noted that the Board has received three applications for the Director of Human Services (DHS) Director’s opening coming up in January. Epp wants to speed up the interview/hiring
process so the newly hired Director
has a chance to train with the
retiring one.
In New Business, the first item up was a presentation by a company
called “Enterprise Fleet Management”. They manage the purchase of fleet vehicles for various government entities and private companies. This was Day’s item. The Enterprise guy gave a decent Zoom talk which went on for a bit. The Commissioners will give him the VIN’s of all our fleet vehicles and he will get back to them with a
proposed plan.
Next up was approving the Upper Ark Weed Management Area Agreement. This passed.
The annual “Dedicated Service Awards for the County Employees” bonus was next. This is a year-end bonus of around $120 gross to each county employee. (Elected officials are not included.) Epp said we have “money in the salary lines” to do this. He also said the county “should be $200k to $300k under budget for the year”. (Commissioners, give that money to Road & Bridge. They need more help and equipment.) The bonus passed.
As a comment, Day said if somebody needed to see the County’s 2025 budget, one must go to the county website and then to the HR/Finance page. It is on a tab there.

Elected Official reports were next. The Sheriff’s Office report was first up. It was written and was not read at the meeting so we don’t know what was in it. After the Commissioners spent a few minutes scanning it on heir computers, Epp stated that he was working with our IT guy Vernon Roth to get the written reports online so us peasants can see what is going on. He said hopefully in January this will be working. (Thank you Mr. Epp and Mr. Roth for doing this.)
The Treasurer’s written report was accepted.
Coroner Brad Baltzly gave his report in person. He said they had 20 deaths YTD including one from Sawatch County (a hiker died in their county but the body was pulled out to Custer so we got stuck with it). Baltzly said suicides were “way up” (the county had seven) and about 40% of our total deaths are suicides. There were no homicides this year. He noted that in 2023 the county only had 13 deaths. (re homicides: Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith has put together a top notch team of very qualified counselors to respond to suicide calls. The timing is good. Our suicide rate, per capita, is very, very high.)
Department Reports

Human Resources was a written report. It was accepted.
Our Veteran Services Office Director, Dominic Edginton, was there to give his report. He had 61 scheduled appointments last month with around 65 walk-ins. He went through his claim numbers and compensation gained which were impressive. At the end he mentioned that he was Vice President of the Colorado Veteran Service Officers organization, but now, since the President stepped down, he became the big Chief. He made a couple of comments that there were going to be some changes in the organization in terms of performance and responsibility. (Go git’m Dominic!)
Road & Bridge gave their report. He needed the Commissioners to ok the water lease with the Upper Ark Water District (they get their road water from them). It was $9,500. The same as last year. It passed. He also needs the Commissioners to approve
the cost to replace the R&B’s fuel
station. That cost was $80k for the work and equipment and another $12k to do a new concrete pad. That passed.
Human Services, Landfill and Recycling reports were all written and accepted. Planning & Zoning was also written but Epp made the comment, from the report, that all receipts (building permits, etc.) were down dramatically from last time, around $200k worth. (The building boom is over folks. We better start tightening our budgets.)
The Airport report was written. Canda said the new AvJet fuel tank is here but not installed yet. He also noted the $450k game fence project had started. (That is being paid by a private company with no cost to the county.
Information Technology’s report was written. It was noted that there are two finalists for the vacant IT assistant position.
The Office of Emergency Management and the Extension Office reports were both written and accepted.
In Additional Items, Epp said the BOCC were moving their meetings down to the All Aboard Westcliffe building in Westcliffe to avoid using their current room as the Annex is HR and Finance’s current home and the BOCC meetings are very disruptive to their operations. The time frame is open.

And that was it. Another day in Happy Valley.