Alamosa Daily Digest Thursday, July 16, 2026
Ty's Take
Word came down this week that a missing hiker made it out of the high country alive, which is how these stories usually end around here when folks know what they're doing—but it's also a reminder that the San Luis Valley doesn't forgive carelessness, not at 7,500 feet with weather that can turn in an afternoon. Meanwhile, the valley's got bigger fights on its plate: the La Sierra fence dispute finally has some wildlife data to work with, Costilla County's moving faster than Denver on the AI data center question, and Alamosa's marking a hundred years of existence with real plans instead of just cake and speeches. It's a week that shows a mountain valley doing what it does—wrestling with growth, managing what little water we've got, and remembering where we came from all at the same time.
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Alamosa News
La Sierra fence battle receives wildlife study results
A wildlife study commissioned by both sides in a dispute over an 8-foot fence on a San Luis Valley ranch has found the barrier threatens more than 30 species, including federally protected Canada lynx and Silverspot butterflies. The 83-page report validates concerns raised by local residents who...
Marking the centennial with beautiful plans for Alamosa’s Centennial Park
Alamosa city officials unveiled architectural plans Wednesday night for upgrades to Centennial Park, with funding redirected from an underbudgeted downtown alley project. The improvements were celebrated by the city council and will benefit from donations of military flags and landscaping provided...
Valley Courier office temporarily closed for renovations
The Valley Courier's downtown Alamosa office at 2205 State Avenue is temporarily closed for renovations with no set reopening date announced. Staff remain available to assist readers remotely for subscriptions, delivery questions, and other customer service needs during the closure.
ASO investigating attempted homicide
A 68-year-old Alamosa County man has been arrested and charged with first-degree attempted murder following a shooting on July 4 that left an adult male with a gunshot wound. The victim was treated at San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center before being transferred to a Front Range hospital, and...
Missing hiker found safe after two days in wilderness
Search and rescue teams found a missing prospector safe Tuesday afternoon after he spent more than two days lost in the Colorado wilderness near Fox Mountain Road in Mineral County. The man, who set out for a short half-mile walk Sunday and became disoriented, was located with help from drone...
Alamosa steps back to 1878 for July’s First Friday
Alamosa celebrated its 1878 founding during a First Friday event July 3, transforming downtown into a 19th-century living history with period-dressed officials and community members honoring the city's pioneer and railroad heritage. Mayor Ty Coleman read a proclamation highlighting how Alamosa's...
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Valley Courier
Costilla County, South Fork getting ahead of AI data centers
Costilla County and the town of South Fork have enacted moratoriums on artificial intelligence data centers to give themselves time to develop land use regulations before any projects are proposed. The preemptive measures reflect growing concern in the San Luis Valley about potential data center...
Brown recognized by his peers for service
Larry Brown, the Colorado State University Extension agricultural agent serving the San Luis Valley, received the 2026 Colorado Distinguished Service Award from the National Association of County Agricultural Agents. The honor was presented during the association's national conference in Denver in...
Anglers asked to give fish some relief
Colorado Parks and Wildlife has asked anglers to voluntarily avoid fishing during afternoon hours on stretches of the Rio Grande and South Fork of the Rio Grande due to low water flows and elevated temperatures. The closures aim to reduce stress on fish populations during summer months when...
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