Category Archives: Uncategorized

2025, Uncategorized

New Fun Kingdom For Kids Opens in Florence

GOKIDZ OPENS!

by Fred Hernandez
Hear ye, hear ye! This is a heads up for all parents of kids between the ages of one and 17: there is a new place in the City of Florence where the kids can safely enjoy hours of good, clean fun and healthy, physical activity in an ultra clean environment.
GOKIDZ officially opened its magic doors on Wednesday, April 23rd. Their hours and days of operation are seven days a week, Monday through Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Oh my, what great joy for all the children who visit this magical place called GOKIDZ. The young ones can climb up ladders or stairs and slide down into pools of colorful plastic balls, crawl in and out of tunnels, swings of all types and many attractions to ride on, climb or bounce on. Truly a joyful place that guarantees hours of safe fun for the young ones and the adults who accompany them. The very reasonable price of $20 per child for three hours of fun includes one adult. The adult can join the child and go through all the attractions or may prefer to sit in the dining area which offers delicious pizzas, sodas and other snacks.
Florence Mayor Steve Wolfe was at the GOKIDZ indoor playground Monday, the 21st of April during the unofficial dry run opening of the newest business in the city. The mayor welcomes GOKIDZ as a wonderful addition to the commercial area on Church Avenue and congratulated business owner Henry Usmin and his family for the innovative concept that will surely delight all parents and children who will enjoy this facility for many years to come. The mayor also said that Florence is a kid friendly city and welcomes everyone to come visit soon. GOKIDZ is located at 111 Church Avenue in the City of Florence. Call 719-372-1647 for more information.

Uncategorized

SDCEA Board Names New Member

SDCEA Board Names
New Member

Press Release

Michael Robinson

Sangre de Cristo Electric Association (SDCEA) is pleased to announce the selection of Michael Robinson as the new At Large director on the SDCEA board.
Robinson, who previously served on the SDCEA board, has extensive experience in the telecommunications field and investment firms. He is a resident of Chaffee County and serves as a board member of the Chaffee County Community Foundation.
Robinson steps into this role following the resignation of former director Jeff Fiedler earlier this year and will serve the remainder of Fiedler’s term, which concludes in June 2026. Robinson will be eligible to run for the seat at that time for a full  3-year term.
Robinson was selected by the board after interviews with four candidates who applied for the position. Per SDCEA bylaws, the board must appoint a director within 3 months of a resignation. He will be formally seated as a director during the cooperative’s April 23 regular board meeting in Buena Vista.

About the Election Process
Director terms on the SDCEA board are for 3 years, with elections held annually on a rotating basis for each seat. Board members are elected by SDCEA’s membership, comprised of account holders in the cooperative. This democratic process ensures that all members have a voice in the direction of their electric cooperative. While board members are elected to represent specific geographical areas of the cooperative, they are elected to serve all members. Two board seats are designated as At Large.
Current board officers include:
• Sandra Attebery, representing Custer County, Chair
• Charlie Abel, Rural Chaffee/Lake County, Vice-Chair
• Blake Bennetts, town of Buena Vista, Secretary & Interim Treasurer
The board also includes directors Mark Boyle, Rural Chaffee/Lake County; Sandy Long, At Large; Rob Canterbury, Fremont County; and now Robinson, At Large.

Uncategorized

Obituary James “Jim” Herbert Littrell

Obituary
James “Jim” Herbert Littrell

 

James Littrell

James “Jim” Herbert Littrell passed away on the morning of Thursday, April 17, 2025, at his home in Westcliffe, Colorado, at the age of 78. He was born May 23, 1946, to Jesse “Herb” and Goldie (Osborn) Littrell in Westcliffe.
After meeting the love of his life while attending Custer County High School, Jim was united in marriage to Deanne E. Crow on June 17, 1967. They were blessed with three children, Terri, Edie, and Jimmy, whom they settled down in Salida to raise. Jim spent the early years of his marriage attending and graduating from Southern Colorado State before serving his country as a member of the Army in Vietnam in February of 1969. He spent most of his adult life working on various business adventures with his wife and children, who could often all be found working together in the businesses Jim started. Throughout his career as a businessman, he owned and operated 12 businesses including Reining Blue Print and Center Printing, Western Sporting Goods and Taxidermy, Bottle Shop Liquor, Salida True Value and VS Variety, Poncha Mini Storage, Buena Vista True Value, Sante
Fe True Value, Jim’s Guns, Monarch Crest, The Crest Scenic Tramway,
J’s New and Used Guns and many rental properties.
When not working and spending time with his family or out dancing with his wife, he was known to be an avid outdoorsman that loved to enjoy God’s creation while hunting, fishing, and simply enjoying all that the Rocky Mountains have to offer.
Jim is survived by his wife, Deanne Littrell (Crow); his daughters, Terri Littrell of Hays, KS, Edie Schoenfeld (Jerry) of Salida, CO; son Jimmy (Rhonda) of Cut Bank, MT; grand-
children Courtney (Brady) Maska of Hays, KS, Kody Hageman of Cottonwood, AZ, Jake (Mykeltie) Schoenfeld of Salida, CO, Kylie Streck of Denver, CO, Jesse Schoenfeld of Westcliffe, CO, Kendrew Streck of Cottonwood, AZ, Coalter Littrell of Cut Bank, MT, Sydnei Littrell of Las Vegas, NV, and Darci Littrell of Cut Bank, MT; great grandchildren Paxton and Decker Maska of Hays, KS, and Sutton Schoenfeld of Salida CO; sisters Myrtle Schulze, Mary (Jim) Patterson, Nancy (Wayne) Hanssen; Brother-in-law Dennis Crow; Sisters-in-law Delaine Crow and Susan Crow; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. Jim is preceded in death by his parents; his in-laws George and Lois (Geroux) Crow; sisters Colleen Armstrong, Betty June Coleman,
Jesse May La Mora, and Laurel Aldridge; brother’s-in-law Les Schulze, Joseph Truskowski, Richard Saunders, John Coleman, Don La Mora, and Don Crow; and his sister-in-law, Shirley Crow.
Jim lived out his final years embodying the John Wayne quote, “Courage is being scared to death and saddling up anyway.” He faced all things in life head on and with fierce determination and instilled that trait in his children and grandchildren. He was a hardworking man that deeply loved his family and friends. Though he will be dearly missed, his memory will live on in the hearts of those that knew him best. Memorial contributions can be made to the Cut Bank Volunteer Fire Department. (911 Railroad Street, Cut Bank, Montana, 59427)
A service will be held at 10 a.m. on Friday,  April 25th at the Lange Hall in Westcliffe, Colorado (312 3rd St. ) followed by a burial service at Ula Cemetery in Custer County.
A luncheon will follow.

Uncategorized

Obituary: Ralph Louis Hey

Obituary
Ralph Louis Hey

Ralph Louis Hey

Born January 9th, 1943 in Okeene, OK to Carl Mark and Alice Hey, passed away April 10, 2025 in Casa Grande, AZ. Ralph spent his earliest years in Okeene, OK, until his parents purchased the Lodge at Lake San Isabel, CO, in 1952 and the Heys moved to this location. He attended school in Rye, CO, graduating in 1961. He was a freshman on the 1958 State Champion Basketball team, scored the first touchdown for the newly established Rye High School Football team, was a member of the 1960 State Champion Baseball team and set the career scoring record for the Basketball Team. In 1961 Ralph moved to Cañon City, CO, and played fast pitch softball, American Legion baseball and went on to be a two-time Cañon City Champion in Singles and Doubles competing in Tennis. He accomplished both the Tennis Championships again in 1969. He decided to attend Adams State College and compete in Basketball, Baseball and Tennis. Ralph graduated from ASC in 1966 and moved to Los Angeles, CA in 1967. Later in life he continued his education at the University of Southern California, Western State College, and the University of Northern Colorado.
In 1969 he began teaching and coaching at Vona Public Schools in Vona, CO. The following year the neighboring school in Seibert, CO, burnt down causing the schools to consolidate. Mr. Hey was asked to assist with the newly established school by naming it Hi- Plains, making the mascot the Patriots and the colors Red, White and Blue. He also started and coached the football program in 1970. Coach Hey was very proud to be the Guest of Honor at the 40th Anniversary of Hi-Plains High School in 2010. In 1972 Coach Hey relocated to Custer County High School in Westcliffe, CO, to teach and coach for the next 26 years. From 1972-1974 the Boys Basketball teams placed at the state tournament and set many state records, while some are still standing. He started Girls Basketball at Custer County in 1974. Some of Coach Hey’s career accolades are coaching High School Basketball for 8 years with a record of 140-39 with 6 League/District Championships and 4 Regional Championships. In Basketball he coached 16 All-State Players and 3 All-American Players. His Junior High Football record was 186-43 over 25 seasons. For 29 years he coached Jr. High Basketball accounting for a record of 1,067 wins with only 188 loses during this time. While coaching the Jr. High Track and Field team for 26 years, his boys’ teams won the West Central League 24 of those years. Coach Hey became the first Athletic Director for Custer County High School and held that capacity for 20 years, in 1993 he was named the State Athletic Director of the Year. Mr. Hey influenced thousands of student athletes over the course of his career.
Ralph served 14 years on the CHSAA Board of Control, many tournament committees for Basketball/Volleyball and has been honored for contributions in football, basketball, and track at the State level. He was the Meet Director for 19 Regional Track Meets and was a State Track Official for 41 years (21 years Head Finish Judge and 8 years on the Games Committee and Jury of Appeals). In 2002 he was honored as a member of the Colorado Football Association. Coach Hey oversaw 7 State Football Playoff games, 17 District and 11 Regional Basketball Tournaments, 6 Regional Wrestling Tournaments, and 6 District and 3 Regional Volleyball Tournaments.
Mr. Hey held a license as a Colorado Guide and Outfitter. He was hired out by multiple movie crews to take them fishing and tour mines in the Custer County area during filming of local movies. He even was an extra in a few throughout the years. He loved hunting and fishing; he fished in 50 of the 53 lakes in the Sangre de Cristo Range and climbed a few 14ers.
In 1975 he was one of the four original founders and board members of The Valley Park Recreation and Youth Center in Westcliffe, CO. He helped organize the beginning of
the adult softball program in 1979 and was one of the original owners of Shadow Ridge Sub-Division established in 2003.
Coach Hey attended many big-time sporting events such as 6 Super Bowls, 3 Final Fours, 1 World Series, 1 Stanley Cup and worked as a Marshall at the 1985 U.S. Open Golf Tournament. He was a season ticket holder for the Denver Broncos and the Colorado Rockies throughout the years. He always loved the University of Oklahoma because his father played football and basketball there.
Ralph was an avid golfer and won multiple tournaments in Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. He also served as a board member for Northern New Mexico Senior Men’s Golf Association for 8 years and was President in 2007. The Association gave 11 scholarships to Custer County High School seniors in a 7-year span. His annual Pig and Putt Golf Tournament in Walsenburg, CO, carried on for 19 years.
After retirement from Custer County School District, Ralph and his wife Donna moved to Casa Grande, AZ.
He spent almost every day of the week playing golf at the area courses.
When he wasn’t golfing, he was busy making fresh lemonade from his lemon trees and watching sports on TV. He always looked forward to visits from friends. Grandpa Ralph cherished every time his or Donna’s grandchildren came to Arizona.
Ralph Hey is survived by his loving wife Donna Paschall of Casa Grande, AZ, sister Cathy Hey (Bruce Olson) of Sioux Falls, SD, son Grady Camper of Walden, CO, son Tanner (Lindsey) Camper of Westcliffe, CO, Donna’s daughter Anne (Evan) Miller of Lampe, MO, Donna’s son Nathan (Susan) Ruhl of Seattle, WA, grandchildren Sawyer and Savanna Camper of Walden, CO, Caroline
and Harvey Camper of Westcliffe, CO, Donna’s grandchildren Taylor (Gage) Luketich and family of Wasilla, AK, Travis and Trey Leiker of Aurora, CO, and Asha Ruhl of Seattle, WA.
There will be a Celebration of Life on Saturday, June 21, 2025, in Westcliffe, CO. It will be held in the Town of Ula at 403 County Road 175 from 12-3 p.m.

2025, BOCC, Uncategorized

BOCC April 10- County Records Retention Policy Proposal, Citizen Wants State to Audit County

BOCC: County Records Retention
Policy Proposal, Citizen Wants
State to Audit County

by George Gramlich,
News and Commentary
The April 10, 2025 Custer County Board of County Commissioners regular meeting was held at the Wetmore Community Center and started at 9 a.m. All three mighty Commissioners were present: Chair Bill Canda and members Lucas Epp and Paul Vogelsong.
In Commissioner Items, Epp said he attended a Upper Arkansas Area Council of Governments (UAACOG) meeting the day before. The UAACOG board appointed a new Executive Director, Dave Paul. Continue reading BOCC April 10- County Records Retention Policy Proposal, Citizen Wants State to Audit County →

Uncategorized

Service for Mark Evert

Obituary
Mark Evert

Mark Evert

Mark Steven Evert was born in Zumbrota, Minnesota, on May 25, 1954. He went to Heaven April 7, 2025, in Pueblo, Colorado. He was preceded in death by his parents Ina and Lawrence Evert, sister Patricia Anderson, and brothers Jeffrey and William Evert. He is survived by his brothers Lawrence (Sherri) and Michael (Sharon) Evert, wife Dawn Evert, and children Johnathon (Brianna) Evert and Michelle (Chris) Segura, along with stepchildren Mikaela (Robert) Goodwater and Tyler (Lindsay) Carlock. They also shared eight grandchildren and one great grandson.
Mark moved to the Wet Mountain Valley in 1990 and raised his children there and built countless beautiful homes. He retired to Pueblo two years ago where he spent his time relaxing and enjoying every day. He had a wild spirit and his love for the outdoors was contagious. He was an avid hunter and fisherman and didn’t know a stranger. His pride and joy were his children and grandchildren, he will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
His memorial service will be held Friday, April 18th at 2 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in Westcliffe, Colorado, located at 410 S. 6th Street.

Uncategorized

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!

2025, 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.

2025, 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