[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6594916,"mediaKeyId","3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053","parentId",3047120,"title","Alamosa marks Arbor Day and recognizes local volunteers and educators; city introduces new firefighters and Explorer program participants","audioSeconds",118,"startMs",1131000,"endMs",1249000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053&start=1131&end=1249","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053/thumbnail_1131000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6594916/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/Alamosa-marks-Arbor-Day-and-recognizes-local-volunteers-and-educators-city-introduces-new-firefighters-and-Explorer-program-participants","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594916-d6c7a031f7908249bba4c1e009e2726a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439117&Signature=S~hKGrJ1cm2wuhhV5Xoq77SOmwIPFQ4IxtJNLwWBD~4YbxZ5c0uqgdpajdcmgMaFdUaIky1HxWsM0GBnlGkvHFQEiYoQiE242IHYz9-ECqYQ1NZ5YnG~GpAsHlaHSWef1Xe0RtSKH82jLWXnwXhTKA1W6oVTs7hG5qOq6Kdx0zwlLtWWN4ikauGyCO53PeOrwCNnG0JRGmR8aQBcN~QI13m6IuJbpS0RNA3Me3Ny6BKwKfcd~7wrnyDVBEg7GOe2E3hq1KWxoQCoQ6SbL2m9booXVujCbWVPAnhkFkKluEmCl7B~nqFQdzs7BuK3iZ-z7r7KtcKPP1knijG7BQBrQg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Alamosa","date","2025-04-17T20:58:09.83Z","article","Mayor Ty Coleman read a proclamation declaring Friday, April 25, 2025, as Arbor Day in Alamosa and urged residents to support tree-planting and tree-care efforts.

The city’s tree board and Parks & Recreation staff used the ceremony to present Marilyn Loescher with the Colorado Tree Coalition’s Community Distinguished Service Award. Andy Rice, parks staff, said Ms. Loescher served roughly 10 years on the tree board and led efforts that helped the city secure multiple planting and maintenance grants.

“Her dedication has inspired and engaged countless residents in planting and caring for trees,” Rice said while presenting the award.

Tree-board members also briefed council on the city’s 35th consecutive year as a Tree City USA and described a pending U.S. Forest Service/Iron Reduction Act urban-forestry grant application worth roughly $200,000 to support plantings focused on the city’s south side. The board announced an upcoming public tree-planting event with the Boys & Girls Club and a street-tree cost-share program that subsidizes up to $250 or 75 percent of a street-tree purchase, whichever is less.

Councilors praised the board’s long-term work and noted the planning and volunteer training that supports maintenance and canopy growth.

Separately, the council issued a proclamation recognizing Michelle Wilson as the 2025 Colorado Distinguished Elementary Principal of the Year. Wilson, principal at Alamosa Elementary, told council, “I love this community...it takes all of us,” and thanked staff and colleagues for their support.

Fire Department leadership introduced four new firefighters — Jose Alporta, Jaden Isanaga (sp.), Joseph Rivera and Ryan Haney — and presented a roster of five youth fire explorers who will participate in training and community outreach. Explorer coordinator Adam Lopez and Captain Esteban Alonzo described the program’s hands-on training and the value of early recruitment; several councilors thanked the department for the investment in youth programming.

Why it matters: The awards and proclamations highlight multi-decade volunteer and staff contributions to Alamosa’s urban canopy and schools. The fire-department introductions signal near-term growth in emergency services capacity and a continuing youth recruitment pipeline.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","City of Alamosa City Council Meeting 04/16/2025","oneSentenceSummary","Council read a proclamation for Arbor Day, presented a state tree-coalition distinguished service award to Marilyn Loescher, recognized Michelle Wilson as Colorado’s 2025 distinguished elementary principal, and the fire department introduced new firefighters and youth fire explorers.","taxTitle","Alamosa City, Alamosa, Colorado","taxId",52279,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594921,"Alamosa council unanimously approves package of ordinances, intergovernmental agreements and a tavern license",1556,4330000,5886000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053&start=4330&end=5886","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053/thumbnail_4330000.jpg","/articles/6594921/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/Alamosa-council-unanimously-approves-package-of-ordinances-intergovernmental-agreements-and-a-tavern-license","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594921-0dd6d79244cd18d82876c80450bccdce/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439117&Signature=AhzLLM40SxozDl3yv-6dTy1exeza0mO5ycSXz1S3SPRLEYZQMpUcp~iZpfh0tVGHDmcCO9uThIh3rvOMql8E0vYLX-HnZzpuVVBO6p~q3IdBFwbHx1mWp1oW05IEvyevK3ZUvfMY6F9oUqnj2HjnC8pT5w~vDYxWfHpu90wkvMt5VRYec2zCZ9DkzhKLHbHryc0zUEpVWn9ax4gU74lrwUHYznlSpb2uel~PmuzyJOxyFFHjLNV81CrSahMi7DMpugxpdLeaZItcj-ENbWU1tBHzZlkpB~~DhnW6LRxJYBYZ3XVOvvXwQP0DfYjLLP1gRH7FybBa9lsm~rHzkpK2sQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Alamosa City Council on April 25 approved a package of ordinances and intergovernmental agreements addressing land use, public safety cooperation and shared services, and granted a tavern liquor license for a downtown restaurant. All final votes recorded at the meeting carried unanimously.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance No. 5-2025: Amends section 21-4-504(e) of the City Code to allow administrative security exceptions for barbed/razor wire fencing for documented security needs — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- Ordinance No. 6-2025: Amends the Unified Development Code to establish form-based review standards and an alternate method of compliance for certain multifamily uses in established and historic neighborhoods — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- Ordinance No. 2-2025: Memorandum of understanding between Adams State University and the Alamosa Police Department for short-term mutual aid — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- Ordinance No. 3-2025: Memorandum of understanding with the U.S. Marshals Service for fugitive-apprehension support — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously. Councilors and the police chief explicitly noted the MOU does not relate to immigration enforcement.

- Ordinance No. 7-2025: Intergovernmental agreement with the Alamosa Local Marketing District for joint use of the city’s mobile event stage — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- Ordinance No. 8-2025: Intergovernmental agreement with the Pueblo City-County Library District to host a “Shared Memories” digitization site in Alamosa — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- Ordinance No. 9-2025: Amendment to create a voting youth representative seat on the Historic Preservation Advisory Committee — approved on second reading, motion carried unanimously.

- First readings set / hearings scheduled: Ordinance No. 10-2025 (prohibiting long guns in parks/trails/open space — first reading passed and set for public hearing May 7) and Ordinance No. 11-2025 (authorizing the parks director to promulgate park and facility rules — first reading passed and set for public hearing May 7).

- Tavern license: Council approved a tavern license for Lucha’s Tacos & Tequilas & Taps LLC (531 Edison St.). The applicant, Jason Gonzales, described plans for an outdoor seating area, weekly entertainment and family-friendly events; council approved the license unanimously.

Councilors characterized most items as housekeeping or formalization of existing working relationships. For example, the police MOUs were described by the police chief as formalizing long-standing joint operations and enabling potential grant or asset-sharing opportunities. On the razor-wire ordinance, staff said the amendment creates an administrative process to allow security fencing where state statute or comparable guidance documents require enhanced protection.

Motions and votes were recorded on the floor for each item. Several motions used the standard language “I move that we approve” and were seconded; the clerk announced “the motion carried unanimously” in each recorded case.

Why it matters: The package reduces procedural barriers for specific security measures and housing development review, formalizes mutual-aid arrangements that can be relevant to grant eligibility, and adds a youth voice to historic-preservation advisory work. The tavern license approves a new downtown dining and entertainment option that council members said could increase evening activity and support downtown businesses.

","At its April 25 meeting the Alamosa City Council approved amendments to the land-use code and several intergovernmental agreements, and granted a tavern liquor license to a downtown restaurant; all votes were unanimous.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6594925,"La Puente reports sharp rise in demand; crisis-prevention funding credited with keeping households housed",491,1826000,2317000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053&start=1826&end=2317","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3047120-c50741fa83c2d6fed6da5af53efe7053/thumbnail_1826000.jpg","/articles/6594925/Alamosa-City/Alamosa/Colorado/La-Puente-reports-sharp-rise-in-demand-crisis-prevention-funding-credited-with-keeping-households-housed","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6594925-fd97b3094ececf14a707a484aab45155/orig.mp4?Expires=1770439117&Signature=RPu20Ck30XqeLPmcnzwYvYnYZsfEx4bcbGgwFx4LTCNS8os6wCjPKBnsGYxexWYmZttUyANQ3~Z82cuxjOqaevsdC~-GGILH6oh9-aOp8JXj4SVwc7GbhomfpDd7wTeyaGHoWyZ0kVQ5Q~LJOLAZcJZpdeWPui3Y6D4WONZC-SVviwOqOwtchYx6xrje3sxV56~Cx-L6pITTuWPtQpIkHyz5VJ3scC-mxogyOlkVebtoXetrbbTkgd7vWBxUgqJnwqYOj~6KOMB5EAKfyCIQ9g0IbdtMDKtitTVCibg~GFvWDAhs45ys0ZeBzRbRDZdQ3wnBiaXjAEodF4pq4IijxQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wilson Hamilton, development director for La Puente Food Bank, told the Alamosa City Council on April 25 that the agency’s Alamosa pantry served “2,512 unduplicated households, comprising about 6,000 unduplicated people” in 2024 and distributed roughly 30,000 food boxes.

The numbers came during a joint presentation to council about the food bank’s work and the organization’s crisis-prevention services. “That is a sharp increase from 2022,” Hamilton said, adding that the Alamosa location now serves nearly half of the valley-wide network’s clients.

The nut of the presentation was twofold: the food bank is seeing rapidly rising need, and crisis-prevention funds the city provides are producing measurable housing stability. “We used the $2,000 grant we received for a single household,” Sean Wyland, director of crisis prevention, told council, describing a case in which short-term rent assistance kept a single father housed until he returned to work. Wyland said the household has been stably housed and employed for six months following that intervention.

La Puente’s written figures, submitted to council, break client demographics out further: about one in four individuals the pantry served in 2024 was a child; about one in five was 61 or older; roughly 25 percent of clients live with a disability; and 30 percent rely primarily on a fixed income. Hamilton told council roughly 85 percent of clients were stably housed when they visited the pantry.

Wyland said crisis-prevention funding is being exhausted faster than in previous years. “We are burning through that funding at a higher rate than we ever have,” he said. He attributed the trend to a destabilized rental housing baseline: when rental housing no longer provides a stable foundation, families fall behind on rent and food and medical needs follow.

The presentation also noted programmatic developments. La Puente opened a new Alamosa location that staff and volunteers say has reduced barriers to access. The food bank also received unrelated grant dollars for “culturally responsive foods” that help it stock items clients both need and prefer. On employment, Wyland said a new partnership made La Puente a pass-through grantee for Colorado’s Rehire program, which subsidizes wages to encourage employers to hire people with high barriers to employment.

Councilors thanked the La Puente team for the work and asked follow-up questions about demographics, partners and how larger food-bank networks interact. Wilson Hamilton explained that Care and Share operates as a regional food bank that supplies bulk product, while La Puente operates as a local pantry and, in some cases, as a hub for smaller valley pantries.

Why it matters: Council’s budget and community-stability efforts rely on accurate demand data. La Puente’s presentation provided the council with both a snapshot of rising need in 2024 and examples of how modest city prevention funding can produce durable housing outcomes.

","La Puente Food Bank told the Alamosa City Council its Alamosa location served roughly 2,512 unduplicated households in 2024 and opened a new site; its crisis-prevention arm said city prevention funding stabilized dozens of households but demand is outpacing available funds.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Alamosa marks Arbor Day and recognizes local volunteers and educators; city introduces new firefighters and Explorer program participants

Alamosa council unanimously approves package of ordinances, intergovernmental agreements and a tavern license

La Puente reports sharp rise in demand; crisis-prevention funding credited with keeping households housed