The Outdoor Citizen

Though we just scratched the surface of the The American Rivers study “The Economic Value of Water Resources in Colorado’s San Luis Valley” in the latest episode of the Outdoor Citizen podcast, Emily Wolf, Claire Sheridan, and Heather Dutton give us a great look into the impact water has on the Valley’s recreation.

On the latest episode of the Outdoor Citizen, we are joined by Colorado Parks and Wildlife Aquatic Biologist Estevan Vigil and Alamosa Parks and Recreation Director Andy Rice.

On the latest Outdoor Citizen, we talk with birders and Friends of the San Luis Valley Wildlife Refuges members Evert Brown and Lisa Clements about birding in the Valley. They give us information on a series of Wildlife Refuge Safaris taking place this spring and summer.

We’re joined again by Mick Daniel from San Luis Valley Great Outdoors. Mick and Marty discuss the railroad proposal to abandon 27 miles of track between Monte Vista and South Fork and convert it into a fully functional recreational trail.

On this episode, we’re joined by the SLV Cliffhangers high school climbing club and “Spirit of the League” award winner Caden Jackson. Jackson and coaches Shawna Lease and Sean Sluyte talk about how the club started after Jackson had the idea to bring climbing to the youth of the San Luis Valley. The idea behind creating a high school climbing club helps to diversify the options students have for an extracurricular activity.

On this episode, we’re joined again by Jenny Nehring and first-time guest Amy Engle to talk all about the 42nd Annual Monte Vista Crane Festival. There are plenty of cranes arriving and plenty of things to do in Monte Vista during crane fest week. Nehring and Engle discuss the festival’s impacts on the San Luis Valley and the wonder of being a stopover for the Sandhill Crane migration. It’s a wonderful, natural spectacle that everyone can partake in.

On this episode, we’re joined again by San Luis Valley Great Outdoors Health and Wellness Coordinator Esteban Salazar. He and host Marty Jones talk about health and recreation equity in Alamosa and the San Luis Valley. SLVGO! has been driving this conversation forward and they hope to have an ongoing sense of stewardship that community members can take part in and feel proud of.

On this episode, we’re joined by Sean Noonan, Bureau of Land Management Recreation planner for the San Luis Valley Field Office. Noonan provides updates on the Lobatos Bridge project, gives us a look at some upcoming projects, and recommends some great spots to get outside. We asked Noonan about what the Trump Administration may mean for local recreation. He said he's hopeful for continued support through local partnerships.

In the first episode of 2025, we talk with the City of Alamosa’s Dalton Carleo and Sean Sluyter about the Rio Frio weekend happening later in January. They set up the course and ask for the public to pray for the cold so that the Rio Grande freezes over. Sluyter and Carleo reflect on the past few years and note that each year there is marked increase in 5K race participants.

Director of the Colorado Avalanche Information Center Ethan Greene is the most recent guest on The Outdoor Citizen Podcast. Greene has been with CAIC since 2005. His work comes from an early passion for winter outdoor recreation. Greene delves into the beginnings of CAIC and the work the organization does.