The La Veta - Cuchara Valley Blog

Snow is falling in Cuchara this morning with rain showers in lower elevations.  Already 10 inches of new snow on the mountain.  The thunder booms in the lower valley while a mix of sleet drizzles down.  The spring moisture is a welcome site.

After a week in the 60’s, temps. will be in the 40’s today and forecast for 80’s by Saturday.  Springtime for sure.

Monument Lake Park near Stonewall was evacuated for a short time Wednesday afternoon as winds pushed a 100 acre wildfire.  Two buildings were destroyed before the fire was contained. 

 Another small fire burning 30 miles west of La Veta is “mostly contained”, in the Trinchera Ranch region of Costilla County.  Smoke lingers on the horizon from the Spring Creek Fire that still smolders this morning with gusty winds fueling embers.

We are seeing smoke this afternoon coming from west of La Veta Pass and also from west of Stonewall.  Two small wildfires are burning in these area.  The dry windy springtime conditions have the entire SE portion of Colorado under a Fire Danger Alert.

Tomorrow’s forecast calls for scattered rain/snow showers.  With higher humidity and dying winds, we hope to have these fires extinguished quickly. Watch for our post Thursday morning for updated details.

Alison Rice has been drawn from the hat, winning the free night lodging.  Congratulations Alison and please contact me for reservations.  jerry@lavetarealty.com

Winning site design was BLUE SKY, by a landslide.  Thanks to all of you for your valuable input.  It was great to hear from so many friends (and relatives).  Our designers will be sorting through the comments,  making changes and improvements where appropriate.  Then we will undertake the task of developing each page for new displays of Listings and MLS database links.  I think you will like the new property profiles.  

Several new Listings have come in and Buyer traffic is picking up too.  If you have property to List, contact me soon so we can get it into our new Spring Catalog.  We will get busy posting more new local news and gossip now that the webpage design survey is complete.  Thank you each and every one for your participation.

You might win 1 night of Free Lodging for just giving me your opinion. That’s right, just REPLY to this, and qualify for the drawing of one Night’s Lodging here in La Veta.  And it’s FREE.  

I am currently working with Creative Lab 208 to redesign my website,  www.lavetarealty.com.   I’m working hard to make it a professional, interesting and easy to use site for you, my readers and potential clients.  And I want your opinion.
Each of the 2 links below represent a different home page design. Since this site is for you, your input is very important to me. Which version do you prefer, the Blue Sky or West Peak? What would you like to see on www.lavetarealty.com?  What suggestions do you have?

I need your help and value your opinion, so all respondants to this, get their name in a hat for a drawing and one  lucky person (or couple) will get one night free lodging  right here in La Veta. There’s no obligation whatsoever.  But to get in the drawing, you must give me your opinion of the 2 design concepts. Please leave a comment here on my blog, or email me at Jerry@LaVetaRealty.com. Just click and open the links below, review and then let me know the name of your choice design and any other comments. Don’t wait to respond. Winner of the Free Night will be drawn from respondants on April 27 and announced April 28, 2008. (only one response per person please - offer is void where prohibited by law)

Blue Sky Design: http://stage.lavetarealty.com/r2.0.c1.htm

West Peak Design: http://stage.lavetarealty.com/r2.0.c3.htm

(click Responses below to view or post comments)

The annual Spanish Peaks Regional Health Fair will be held this Saturday at the County Community Center in Walsenburg.  Hours will be from 9:00 AM til 12:00 noon. Results of previous blood draws will be confirmed, plus a wide variety of free exams and other tests. It’s a great opportunity for everyone.  

Well, this should surely be about the last snow of the season.  We woke to heavy snows that dumped 10 inches on La Veta and over 15 inches in Cuchara.  Nice wet snow full of moisture. It pushed the elk back down to the valley which was a beautiful sight.  And by late morning, my horses were anxiously waiting for their hay ration.  Forecast is for mid. 60’s tomorrow and into the 70’s on Saturday. Springtime in the Rockies.

Two firefighters died en route to the scene of yesterdays fires near Ordway, CO.  In a bizarre accident, while driving through smoke-filled canyons, their rig drove onto a burned-out bridge and fell into the burning ravine below.  This tragedy hits close to home for me as both of my sons are firefighters/paramedics and my brother-in-law as well.   And it points out just one more of the many risks these angels of mercy face on a regular basis.  Read the entire fire story in the Pueblo Chieftain, http://www.chieftain.com/metro/1208412000/2/

Rangeland fire outbreaks are reported north of us tonight around Ft. Carson and east of there toward Ordway.  Reports say people are being evacuated there and several buildings are threatened. High winds and dry conditions are limiting the ability to control the fires until weather pattern changes tomorrow.   

Last week’s unsettled weather produced just a trace of snow down in La Veta but over 10 inches above Cuchara.  After a beautiful Sunday and Monday, this afternoon’s brisk winds predict another cool front coming thru Wednesday afternoon.  Good chance of rain showers and snow-flurries again.  We do welcome the moisture to prepare for the summer and to prevent spring grass fires.  

I just Listed a great home right here in La Veta.  Originally built by Woody Arnold, this nice 2000 sq.ft. home offers commanding views of both the valley and the West Peak. Really priced right, at $330,000.  This will be posted to MLS and my own site by end of week.  For more listings, go to www.LaVetaRealty.com