by George Gramlich
San Luis Valley native, Cleave Simpson, was gracious enough to visit the Sentinel last Friday along with our current Colorado Senate District 35 Senator, Larry Crowder. This is Larry’s last year as he is term limited. Running to replace him is 4th generation Colorado rancher/farmer, and lifelong Republican, Cleave Simpson.
Cleave has had quite the career so far. Born in the San Luis Valley, Cleave grew up on a large ranch. After graduating from Alamosa High School in 1979 he attended the Colorado School of Mines and obtained a B.S. in Mining. He then went to work for nearly two decades in surface coal mines in Texas and Australia primarily in management. He oversaw large, complex projects involving hundreds of workers. Often in very difficult situations.
Finally returning to the San Luis Valley he resumed ranching/
farming and getting involved in local community affairs. Cleave joined the Rio Grande Water Conservation District and eventually became the General Manager of the organization. He also serves as a representative on the Rio Grande Basin Roundtable and the Colorado Inter Basin Compact Committee. Cleave is also a member of the Colorado Water Congress and has served on the Farm Service Agency County Committee and the Alamosa County Planning Commission.

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