The La Veta – Cuchara Valley Blog

The Fourmile Canyon fire near Boulder, CO continues to reek havoc in that area.  Thankfully no serious injuries or deaths at this time.  But 63 country homes totally destroyed (including those of 9 volunteer firefighters).  Both of my sons are firefighters (and paramedics) so the stress and danger of fires is always on my mind.  Luckily we have not experienced a major fire in our general area of southern Colorado in many years now.

A beautiful Labor Day weekend here in the Cuchara Valley.  But cool crisp nights and warm sunny days tell me that Fall is definately headed our way.  Several sun-up morning temps dropped down to 38 degrees followed by daytime highs of 83 degrees.   Have to layer even for golf.

Bruce reports that local musicians David and Annie Enke have confirmed that 4 time Grammy nominees ‘Trout Fishing in America’ will be playing on the SPACE Stage in the La Veta Town Park on Sunday Sept 12th at 2pm.  David says that these guys recently put on one of the best concerts that Annie & he have ever been to (” never laughed so hard in my entire life!”), and this show should be a spectacular wrap up to our summer Concert Series in the Park. The concert will be dedicated to our local Children’s Music Enrichment Program, and we’re thrilled to be able to get these guys to come.

WOW.  Woke up this morning and saw frost on top of the hot-tub cover.  Thermometer is registering 39 degrees.  I knew a cool front was coming in but didn’t expect it to feel like Fall this morning.  Sure hope for long slow Indian Summer weather now.  Oktoberfest and Celtic Festivals are upcoming soon.

30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.32 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending September 2, 2010, down from last week when it averaged 4.36 percent. Last year at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 5.08 percent.

15-year FRM this week averaged a record low of 3.83 percent with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.86 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 4.54 percent.

Amy Crews Cutts, deputy chief economist at Freddie Mac, reports, “The 12-month price growth of core personal expenditures remained at 1.4 percent in July, which kept overall inflation expectations well at bay.  She continued, “House prices, however, appear to be firming. Home prices rose 2.3 percent between the first and second quarter of this year, reaching the highest level since the fourth quarter of 2008, according to the S&P/Case Shiller® National Home Price Index.

Two great Community Meetings yesterday to discuss the newly formed Foundation and plans for the Metropolitan Districy.  Both the Cuchara and the La Veta meeting halls were filled to near capacity turnouts.  Bruce Cantrell introduced the organizing leadership and provided an in-depth overview and explanation of the Plan.  We will see the beginning steps of progress as early as next summer. 

Bruce and Joan have a passion for the valley and a real committment to make this happen.  His geo-thermal background gives him a passion to also develop the project totally “GREEN”.  Very exciting. Along with the talent and background to know how.  Our friend Scott Medsker did video on the meeting to capture the live exchange and response to questions on jobs, financing, bonds, traffic, fire mitigation and more.  See videos and update posts at http://www.cucharavalley.org/cucharamtnresort.html

Another beautiful day shaping up this morning here in the Cuchara Valley.  Yesterday morning was nice for my La Veta Inn tour.  It went well, and another prospective buyer even called to check my progress too (good morning Steve). Ha   I’ve gotta remember that about 200 friends, neighbors and clients look at this little daily post so I better not give away any confidences.  Weather:  A nice rain shower last night cooled things down again.  Today we have to head up to Denver but returning this evening. 

Don’t forget the Cuchara Mountain Resort Updates this Thursday.  Principals are to be on hand for community meetings up in Cuchara at Community Rec. Center,  10:00 am and down in La Veta at Community Center, 4:30 pm Aug. 26.  Come listen, learn and hopefully feel able to support their efforts.

Yesterday was one of the very nicest nicest days we have enjoyed all summer.  More people, more energy and more fun since July 4.  Weather was fabulous for a change, for the record turn-out of the Stonewall Ride.  Years past they have endured a few cold rainey rides, but not this time.  A cool partly-cloudy day reaching  into the 80s.  Heading off this morning to show the La Veta Inn.

I confirmed with Bob up in Cuchara that the new Recreation Resort Plan is to be presented at 2 community meetings set for next week, on Thursday , Aug. 26.  Planning on presentations up at Cuchara Community Center at 10:00 AM  and then again down at La Veta Community Center at 4:30 that same afternoon.  see  http://www.cucharavalley.org/Hope  for more Cuchara  post.  Hope to see you here next week.  

Gotta run now.  It’s still early, but need to get into town to wish a big send-off to the 8th Annual Stonewall Century Ride leaving La Veta in about 20 minutes.  Looks like a wonderful day for the bike ride.   Then I take clients up to Echo Canyon Guest Ranch later this morning.  It’s gonna be a GREAT DAY here in the Cuchara Valley.

As Reported in the Colorado Springs Business Journal:  “Michael Balloun of Arlington, Texas took the property over last month through a deed in lieu of foreclosure from its previous owner. A week ago, a new contract was signed to turn the property over to the recreation district.  The newly formed district’s future is predicated on Huerfano County’s approval of the recreational district the sale of bonds to finance improvements. More than 600 jobs could be created by the revamped development which is projected to include a new hotel, conference center, lake, mountain coaster attraction, zip line, downhill skiing, a snowboarding half-pipe and a tubing hill.”

The Signature yesterday had excellent coverage, interviews and details of the entire Plan. But I don’t think that they post it on-line so you will need to call them for your personal copy. 719 742-5591 or editor@signaturenewspaper.com

The 600 jobs and and hotel/conference center has been in plans of previous developer prospects also. Some feel this part could be either an exaggeration or long-term dream forecast.  But who knows?  Clearly the votes approving  of the Metropolitan District and subsequent sale of Bonds will be integral to the Plan.  And the word on the street is that both of those stipulated requirements are felt to be in well received progress already.   hmmm    We also hear that the Principals will be speaking at a community forum later this month to present their plan in person and to answer questions.  Won’t want to miss that one.