The Crestone Eagle, February 2007:

Winter returns! Citizens deal with bitter cold, snowy roads, cars that won’t start, frozen water pipes, head colds & maybe just a touch of cabin fever
by Mary Lowers

Everywhere you go, and even if you don’t go anywhere and are just tuning into the mass media, weather in the West is big news this winter. It’s what we are all talking about—an informal assessment of the impact the first “real winter” in seven or eight years is having on our community.

Saguache County Sheriff Mike Norris sees the big picture. “The much needed snow,” he says, “has been a blessing to Saguache County. This gives us a favorable outlook for the summer to come. All the moisture and more to come are sure encouraging. As we have seen, the major storms have caused problems. Fortunately for us, our power stayed on, cattle were fed, and there were no medical emergencies complicated by the weather.”

Sheriff Mike wants everyone to keep in mind we are only halfway through the snow season. “What happened to folks in the north and east part of the state could just as easily happen to us. I want to emphasize that everyone needs to stay prepared. Make sure you have plenty of provisions at home and in your vehicle.” Local mechanics suggest checking fluid levels often and giving our hard working vehicles that extra time to warm up. Park where the sun hits your car!

Then there are the roads. Randy Arredondo, Saguache County Road and Bridge Supervisor, told me that very cold temperatures make it hard to get the snow pack off the roads. He said the County was pretty well prepared for the cold and moisture. “It’s not too bad if storms happen during the week,” Randy said. “Overtime hours really add up for weekend storms.”

Shawn Hollmer, head of maintenance for the Baca POA, takes the long view on winter weather. “In an old winter this would have been normal. We’d be plowing snow at least once a week.” Shawn told me he is making sure one of his crew is always on “plow call.”

He appreciates the community understanding that the crew is plowing as much and as quickly as they can. He told me the POA crew waits until the snow stops to plow, and the county crew will be out during a storm on the main roads. “The county can afford more plowing.”

Darla Tiernan of the Baca Grande Water and Sanitation District told me the winter weather had them “going nonstop.” She said, “There have been lots of calls about broken water lines. We are not technically responsible for lines from the main line to the house, but we have been helping folks.” The biggest problem W&S has encountered is a frozen water main and line up on the Old Mine Road where many of the spiritual centers are located.

Darla told me the district is in the process of buying a super-powerful generator to keep lines warm. They are seeing about heated water or kytec pipe for that sewer line. “The crew is working 18 extra hours on average and getting night calls,” Darla added.

District School Superintendent Eli Dokson says that at Moffat School heating has been a big issue. He told me, “All the thermostats in the Moffat building had to be reprogrammed to warm up earlier.” The schools are using more propane. Moffat School was dismissed early once due to snow, and Crestone Charter School had one snow day. On Tuesday, January 23 the Moffat School was closed due to a broken water pump, which may be due to the cold. Dokson says everyone is driving slower to keep staff and students safe.

Moffat Family Health Clinic has been busy, but they are not scheduling appointments before the plows go through! Joanna Dokson of the clinic told me respiratory ailments are up due to the dryness and cold. “Sinus problems, coughs, rashes and skin stuff are problems.” She recommends moisturizing before you dry off after a shower to ‘trap’ moisture.

Livestock all over the Valley are sporting good thick winter coats this year. They are eating more and hay prices are up! Joanna Dokson told me that for the first time in four years, she can see the creek running under the ice at the Baca Grande Stable.

At local retail outlet, Crestone Mart, manager Carol reports they are going through tons of ice melt and salt. She can barely keep soup in stock and the propane exchange is selling out quickly. (A friend of mine up north of Lazy KV Estates actually had his propane freeze!) Lynn at Crestone General Store reports a run on teas and hot chocolate. In an odd Crestone twist, both stores report ice cream sales are way up!

So stay safe and prepared, keep moist, warm and dry, drive slowly and who knows why, but eat ice cream!

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