San Luis Valley Voices

What do yurts, red & green chili, local vendors, the SLV Foods Coalition, live music, a master chef, potato sheds, 3-D printed adobe houses and an old drive-in theater all have in common? The Dish SLV is a community group in the San Luis Valley based in Center Colorado creating connection through food events. The Dish SLV is hosting a free valley preview at the Frontier Drive-Inn Theater, rescheduled for July 9th, 2022. There will be food, games, activities, a red & green chili dish cook off with prizes, live music, local vendors, a movie and so much more.

Pilots Baseball Academy brings professional training to the kids of the San Luis Valley! And the Top of the World Series Baseball Complex will bring children here from all over the world. Plus, coming up on June 11th there will be a pitch-hit-run homerun derby, held at the baseball field at Adams State University. To find out more, we sat down with the man behind it all, Coach Geoffrey West.

Alonzo Payne is the District Attorney for the 12th Judicial District, which encompasses all 6 counties in the San Luis Valley region of south-central Colorado. Concerned Citizens for a Safe and Just Valley have a recall effort underway and are collecting signatures now. SLVoices sat down with recall organizers to find out more.

Larry ‘Animal’ Garner is a local author, long time SLV resident and a man of many talents. In this podcast, we sit down with Larry to discuss such things as growing up here, his latest book, the paranormal, his views on meth and a whole lot more.

The longest running sustainable energy fair in the country is happening again this year. It’s the 32nd Annual Crestone Energy Fair, coming up on Saturday and Sunday, August 28 & 29, near Crestone Colorado. We have more of a round table discussion about micro grids, social permaculture, wood gasification, the expansion of this year’s fair, how you can attend in person or virtually, their need for volunteers and so much more with Director Lisa Bodey, onsite producer Nick Nevares and Advisor Donovan Spitzman.

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight for July 2021. Featured in this podcast are three special interviews that all tie together in regards to the new Ski Hi Complex and Event Center in Monte Vista. The first is the July 2021 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, Alcon Construction, featuring President Brian Cook. Following that is the July Featured Businesses of the Month, Spencer Architecture Studio, with Partner and Principal Architect Don Spencer, Partner & Marketing Director Andrea Spencer and Associate Andrea Bachman. Wrapping up this podcast is the Featured Organization for July, The Ski Hi Stampede Committee, with President Greg Metz, Treasurer Eric Kimberling, and Historian Charlie Burd. Please listen as they discuss their unique missions and visions, working on the Ski Hi Complex, current challenges, dispelling preconceived notions, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and even more. Please enjoy this fun and informative podcast!

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight for June 2021. Featured in this podcast are three special interviews. The first is the June 2021 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, White Glove Janitorial, featuring Owner, Operator Kalli Widger. Following that is June’s Featured Businesses, Jade Communications, featuring Director of Operations Josh Wehe and Marketing Director Jordan Wehe. Wrapping up this podcast is the Featured Organization for June, Brother’s Keeper’s Motorcycle Club, Chapter 19, featuring President Matthew Cordova, Secretary Jim Clare and member Scott Deacon. Please listen as they discuss their unique roles, their missions and visions, what drives them to do what they do, future plans, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and even more. Please enjoy this fun and informative podcast!

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight for May 2021. Featured in this podcast are three special interviews. The first is the May 2021 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, The Monte Vista Athletic Club, featuring Owner Russell Brown. Following that is one of May’s Featured Businesses, Uniquely Delightful, featuring Owner Larry Foster. And wrapping up this podcast is the other Featured Business for May, Sunflour Café, with Owner Rhoda Koehn. Please listen as they discuss their unique roles, their missions and visions, what drives them to do what they do, future plans, joining the Chamber of Commerce, and even more. Don’t miss this informative podcast!

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight for April 2021. Featured in this podcast are the the April 2021 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, Ciello, featuring Chief Executive Officer Loren Howard. Following that is one of April’s Featured Businesses, Colorado 4 x 4 featuring owner Neil Gatrel and co-owner Tammy Forsyth. And wrapping up this podcast is the other Featured Business for April, Ecodynamics, featuring CFO Marie Pescatore. Please listen as they discuss their unique roles, their missions and visions, what drives them to do what they do, future plans, joining your local Chamber of Commerce, outstanding accomplishments, and even more. Don’t miss this informative podcast.

The Monte Vista Chamber of Commerce Business Spotlight for March 2021. Featured in this podcast are the March 2021 Chamber of Commerce Business of the Month, Rain Brews, featuring General Manager Kyle Riggenbach, Barista Caily Malouff and Bartender/Barista Rhianna Bate-Fichter. Following that is one of the March Featured Businesses, Roberts Group Real Estate, featuring Owner/Broker Larry Roberts, and new agent Kristy Miller. And wrapping up this podcast is an extended interview with San Luis Valley Health, featuring Communications Director Donna Wehe and Audrey Reich Loy, Director of Primary Care Operations. Please listen as they discuss their unique roles, what drives them to do what they do, the challenges they faced during the pandemic, outstanding accomplishments, the COVID vaccine, joining your local Chamber of Commerce, where they would like to see themselves in the future, and even more. Don’t miss this informative podcast!