Category Archives: Uncategorized

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Custer Student Pursues Football, Signs with Tabor College

Right to Left: Mark Grundy, Dad, Assistant Coach; Aundrea McCormick, High School Principal, Athletic Director; Wyatt Grundy; Clayton Stallones, Head Coach; Lea
Grundy, Mom, Reggie Foster, President of the School Board; Alexis Grundy, Sister.
Photo by Lily Bomgardner
Wyatt Grundy Photo by Lea Grundy

On April 3rd, we gathered to celebrate a historic moment
for Custer County:
Wyatt Grundy’s signing to play football for Tabor College! This achievement marks a remarkable milestone as Wyatt becomes the first student from our community to pursue college football in
15 years.
We couldn’t be more proud of Wyatt’s dedication, perseverance, and passion for the sport. His journey is an inspiration to us all, and we wish him the very best as he embarks on this exciting new chapter.
Congratulations, Wyatt! You’re not just representing yourself; you’re making your community proud. We can’t wait to see the incredible things you’ll achieve at Tabor College!

Uncategorized

Oak Creek Grade Fire Department Congratulates Six New Firefighters

 

New Firefighters, Chip Doxzon, Assistant Chief Rick Madrigal, Tony Edwards, Briana Waggoner, Tyler Waggoner, Board President Bob Vanatta. Not pictured: Jerry Madrigal.

In a joint training exercise with Wet Mountain Fire Protection District in Westcliffe on March 28th and 29th, the Oak Creek Grade Volunteer Fire Department was able to certify six new firefighters, and recertify one firefighter. After many hours of study online and in-person, the new firefighters were able to participate in live training on the finer points of controlling a fire.
Oak Creek Grade Fire Department is located approximately 18 miles south of Cañon City, on Oak Creek Grade, encompassing the area from the Stultz Trailhead to the Custer County line. Informally in existence for many years, the department called itself a Brigade where residents came together to assist in fighting fires as a community. In 2018, the department formally incorporated and is striving for professional status today.
Assistant Chief, Rick Madrigal, one of the newly certified members, proudly stated, “I’m really excited about the direction our
department is on and the success we have made.”
“We are grateful to Wet Mountain for allowing us to certify with them”, Rick added.
OCGVFD Board President, Bob Vanatta, has years of experience as a first responder in medical and fire, and was able to recertify for the department. “I have been with the department for about 1-1/2 years and have seen a great change in the attitude of the department. Rick’s team accepted the challenge and did a great job. Assistant Chief Rick Madrigal did an excellent job spearheading the effort”.
If you are in need of assistance in the Oak Creek Grade Fire Department community, call 911. For further information, check out our website, http://oakcreekgradefirebrigade.com/, or call Rick at
719-557-2925.

Uncategorized

Discover the Wild West Era at Beckwith Ranch

Press Release
The Friends of Beckwith Ranch
Discover the Wild West Era through Informative Displays, Presentations, Artifacts, Demos and Exhibits at Historic Beckwith Ranch weekends in April from 12 pm – 3 pm (except closed for Easter Sunday). The Mansion, Bunkhouse, Black-smith Shop, Tack Barn, and Horse and Dairy Barns will be open, weather permitting. There is something new and different every day.
The Historic Beckwith Ranch is located 6 miles north of Westcliffe, CO on Highway 69 North. The Ranching Heritage Center has 10 buildings on the National Register of Historic Places and is owned and preserved by Friends of Beckwith Ranch, Inc. as a 501(c)3 non-profit.
Throughout the month, great live presentations by Colorado historians will be offered in the mansion ball room including:
• Carl Wulsten meets Elton Beckwiih, portrayed by Dr. Gary Mohr and Courtney Miller
• Mountain Man Meek, David and Beverly Meek portray their still famous relatives, Joe & Virginia Meek
• Dick Jones presents his new book “Walking the Same Ground”
• Courtney Miller presents his new book “The Beckwith Dynasty” Proceeds go to Beckwith Ranch
• Julie VanLaanen, with Filter Press, Presents “The Women of the Colorado Gold Rush”
• Goodnight meets Beckwith, portrayed by Gary Ziegler and Courtney Miller;
• Roping Clinic by local Rodeo star, Creed Ingram. Creed will demonstrate and teach roping techniques
• Ken Butler will be providing Blacksmith Demos in the Blacksmith Shop
For times and dates go to www.beckwithranch.com .
Explore the fascinating stories of the Wild West Era on Displays featuring “The Beckwith Story”, “The Kennicott’s Story”, “The Rustlers”, “Mining”, and “Cattle Ranching”. Admire our new collection of period clothing. We will have authentic artifacts from the era displayed throughout. And the “Discovery Room” will have interactive exhibits for the young and young at heart including games played during that era like Triangle Peg, Jacks, Jack Straw, Checkers, and many more.
Admission fee for the event is $5/person for those older than 12. Note: Beckwith Ranch Members bring your Membership card and get in free. Learn more at www.beckwithranch.com

Uncategorized

BOCC: Big AP Amount, Annual Clean Up Day, STR Moratorium

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The March 27, 2025 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting started at 9 a.m. at the All Aboard Westcliffe meeting room. All three Commissioners were present: Chair Bill Canda and members Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Items, Epp said he attended a Colorado Wildfire Fire Protection Plan meeting where the attendees reviewed maps and zones in Custer County. County Interim Attorney Dan Slater said another ex county employee is suing the County. He doesn’t think this lawsuit “has a lot of merit”.
In New Business, Accounts Payable was first up. Epp led the discussion noting that this AP (which covers just the first two weeks of March) was high due to a lot of normal, annual expenses that come in around this time. Epp reviewed all the expense items greater than $5k. The total of $567k was approved.
Next was the announcement that the annual Towns of Westcliffe and Silver Cliff Clean Up day will be May 10th. Residents of the two towns can put out items on the curb to be taken away. No batteries, tires or household trash. No appliances that use freon. All county residents can bring their electronic items
to the Dome in Silver Cliff to
be recycled.
Eight County Resolutions were next. These supplemental resolutions were to approve money to pay for expenses that were above the budgeted amounts. The Commissioners
Health Insurance got $13.6k. The VSO got $6k for training. The VSO got another $20.8k for the new assistant. Road & Bridge received $66k for the newly acquired used roller/compactor. $49.5k was allocated for the infamous chipper.
The County Clerk got $69k for recording services and the airport was on the receiving end of $125k for improvements to the
fuel system there.
The last Agenda Item was a Resolution for a Moratorium on
new Short Term Rental applications and permits. This would last until December 31, 2026. Planning & Zoning needs time to adjust the regulations based on issues that came up in the last few years plus new state laws are coming down. (A new state regulation will control the size of the STR septics and will use the number of beds, instead of bedrooms, as the measurement tool.) The Resolution was approved.
And that was it.

Uncategorized

Hanme Clark Hearing, Transportation Issues

by George Gramlich
There was another hearing in the alleged Hanme Clark triple homicide case Thursday, March 27, 2025. It was held in the 11th Judicial District, Custer County District Court with Judge Swan
presiding. Attorney Janene McCabe led the defense team while District Attorney Jeff Lindsay headed the prosecution. Clark is being held in the Pueblo County Jail on $2 million cash bond.
The defense noted that Clark was and is “pale” and that was concerning to them. Judge Swan also noted that Clark was “pale” at the last hearing.
The main issue of the day was that apparently Clark alleged he was mistreated in the trip from Custer County to the Pueblo Jail at the last hearing. It was a bit unclear, but it appeared that Clark alleged that the seat belt was rubbing against his neck causing some pain or discomfort. The Judge stated that she looked at the photos taken at the jail when he arrived and she did not notice any “redness” in the neck area.
The defense then stated that the Custer County Posse members were the ones that transported Clark and that none of them were “post certified”.(i.e., actual deputies). And somehow this was not right. The defense also stated that the vehicle used in the transport was somehow deficient in some way.
The Judge asked DA Lindsay to comment on this and Lindsay deferred to Custer County Sheriff Rich Smith. Sheriff Smith said that it is normal and customary for jail transports to be done by Posse members and that is often the case in southern
Colorado.
Smith then noted that due to Clark’s alleged offenses and the fact that he is a trained mixed martial arts fighter and has been in official fights that a vehicle with a cage is the preferred transportation method. Smith also said the Pueblo Jail personnel had told the Custer Posse members that Clark “spends all day working out”. DA Lindsay also commented that when the Posse members went to pick Clark up he had a bad attitude declaring, “I don’t care what happens to me”. DA Lindsay said he asked Sheriff Smith to have a camera in the vehicle for all future transports.
Judge Swan concurred and ordered Sheriff Smith to have body cameras operational or have a post certified deputy in the
vehicle in all future transports.

2025, Uncategorized

Opposition Growing Against Round Mtn’s Sludge Proposal

Opposition Growing Against
Round Mtn’s Sludge Proposal

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
After the Sentinel’s front-page article (March 17, 2025) on
Round Mountain Water and Sanitation District’s (Round Mountain)
proposal to disperse the accumulated waste treatment sludge at the bottom of their sediment lagoons as fertilizer on a ranch on the valley floor, there has been a flood of citizens coming forward to object to it. On various grounds.
Note that there are a lot of facts and issues still up in the air as Round Mountain and the contractor hired to do the job, Denali Water Solutions, have yet to bring their case to the public. (This will occur on March 27th, after the Sentinel’s press deadline this week. The Board of County Commissioners decided to have a public meeting, at Lange Hall on that date concerning the sludge proposal. Denali and Round Mountain are scheduled to talk about the issue. The public can ask questions only in writing, however. The Sentinel will report on this in detail.)
Continue reading Opposition Growing Against Round Mtn’s Sludge Proposal →

2025, BOCC, Uncategorized

March 20 BOCC: Some Fatal Fire Facts, P&Z Stats, Sludge/Fertilizer Comments

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The March 20, 2025 Custer County Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) regular meeting was held at the All
Aboard Westcliffe meeting room and started at 9 a.m. All three Commissioners were present: Chair Bill Canda and members
Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Items all three Commissioners reported attending several meetings. Canda noted that he is setting up a town hall meeting with the Upper Arkansas Water people to discuss Upper Ark’s plans for our county (including raising the water lever at Lake DeWeese). Continue reading March 20 BOCC: Some Fatal Fire Facts, P&Z Stats, Sludge/Fertilizer Comments →

Uncategorized

Motions Hearing for Hanme Clark in Triple Homicide Case

Motions Hearing for Hanme Clark in Triple Homicide Case

by George Gramlich
A Motions Hearing was held by 11th Judicial District Judge Lauren Swan at the Custer County Courthouse Tuesday, March 18. The hearing started at 8:30 a.m. It concerned the alleged triple murder of three Custer County residents by one Hanme K. Clark.
Clark was present at the hearing. He is currently being held at the Pueblo County Jail with a $2 million cash bond requirement.
The hearing concerned various motions by the defense counsel regarding late or missing evidence (called “discovery” items) and a request by the defense to reduce Clark’s bail. Continue reading Motions Hearing for Hanme Clark in Triple Homicide Case →

2025, Uncategorized

Stage 1 Fire Ban for  Custer County

Stage 1 Fire Ban for  Custer County
Reminder to Stay Updated for Everbridge Notifications and Know Evacuation Routes

Stage 1 Fire Restrictions Custer County Colorado

From Custer County
Sheriff’s Office

March 13, 2025, after consultation with the WMFPD Fire Chief and a thorough review of current fire danger conditions Sheriff and Fire Warden Rich Smith has implemented Stage I Fire Restrictions for Custer County.

Stage I Fire Restrictions are now in effect, and the following activities are prohibited by statute:

  • Open burning, with exceptions for fires and campfires within permanently constructed fire grates in developed campgrounds and picnic grounds; charcoal grills and wood-burning stoves at private residences in areas cleared (three feet distance) of all flammable materials.
  • The use of any fireworks without a professional display permit, outdoor pyrotechnics such as explosive targets, or model rockets.
  • Outdoor smoking, except within an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area at least three feet in diameter, barren or cleared of all flammable materials.
  • Welding or operating an acetylene or similar torch with an open flame is prohibited except in an area cleared of vegetation.
  • No internal combustion engine operation without a spark arresting device properly installed and in working order.
  • Prescribed burns: any previously issued permits for such burns are revoked.

These restrictions, which take effect today, March 13, 2025, will remain in effect until they are modified pursuant to Custer County Resolution 18-17.

For updates on restrictions and guidelines, please go to: https://custersheriff.colorado.gov/

If a fire evacuation becomes necessary the Sheriff’s Office uses the opt in program Everbridge to alert residents by cel phone, land line, text or email. To opt in to Everbridge or update your methods of contact please use the link on the page above or click https://member.everbridge.net/355009111785665/new

Do you know what the fire evacuation routes are for your neighborhood? If not use the webpage above or click https://custersheriff.colorado.gov/…/FireEVACRoutes.pdf

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(Editor Note: The evacuation route map is on pages 12 &13 of this week’s issue and can also be found on the main page of our website: SDCSentinel.com  HERE.)

2025, Uncategorized

New Custer County Assistant Veteran Service Officer

 

Press Release from the Custer County Veteran Service Office—March 7, 2025

I wanted to take a second to introduce the new Custer County Assistant Veteran Service Officer, Cortney Shank.
Cortney is a proud Westcliffe native and a proud 21 year USAF veteran/retiree. Her career field in the US Air Force was Traffic Management Office (TMO) and she also served as a First Sergeant. Her active duty experiences have helped shape her for this role; networking and seeking out additional resources are both critical components to supporting our veterans and their families.
“I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to not only support my community, but do it by helping those that made it possible for me to serve.” she said.
Cortney is currently trying to get through her initial state/federal training to garner access to systems, and become a fully accredited representative. Once completed, she will primarily be taking on initial intakes so [VSO Dominic Edginton] can focus more heavily on claims. Courtney will eventually start taking on claims of her own. Her office hours will be Monday and Tuesday 8 a.m.-4 p.m. by appointment, and Wednesday 8 a.m.-12 p.m (Wednesday morning is veterans coffee followed by a statewide CVSO huddle).
VSO Dominic Edginton remarked “I am grateful that the BOCC recognized the need for the additional support and I am confident that Cortney will be an amazing asset to the Custer County veterans community. “