SCLA Board of Directors Meeting, Tues., May 18, 6:30 p.m. MDT – Important COVID Info *Please read*

Please read the message below from the Conejos Co. Public Health Dept. regarding the signficant rise in cases we have had here in the past week. Important points to note:
  • Both the Conejos Co Hospital and the SLV Regional Medical Center are almost at capacity. 
  • Cases are rising from young to middle age and older.
  • IF you have not been vaccinated, you are asked to still wear a mask. 
  • If you’ve had COVID or been exposed you SHOULD STILL wear a mask. 
  • If you’ve had COVID or been exposed you SHOULD STILL get vaccinated! 
  • BE RESPECTFUL of each other, your neighbors. IF you choose to not follow the guidelines, please understand if your neighbors, family, and friends do not want to invite you to their next event, or hang out just to visit.  

Key Things to know about COVID-19 Vaccines

FAQ’s about COVID 19 Vaccines 

This message is being sent to you by Conejos County Public Health.  
 
As we are experiencing a rise in our positive cases in Conejos County we ask that you spread the word for these testing clinics. (Attachment)  The SLV has one of the highest positivity rates in the state right now. The providers listed below also continue to offer vaccines. Online signup links for these providers can be found at www.slvphp.com.
If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you can also get tested through our regular testing providers besides these two testing clinics:
  • Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990
  • SLV Health Respiratory Clinic 719-589-3000 ext. 9 
  • Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)
We would also like to remind you to continue safe practices of wearing masks, social distancing, and proper handwashing.  There has been a trend in our community to get a little lax in these practices and we want to get our County back to a healthier state and stop the spread.  
 

Resolution Restricting Water Resolution – Town of Antonito/Conejos

PLEASE note the water restrictions for our area. We should always be conscientious about water resources living here in Colorado, but we tend to forget when coming from other states that don’t have the same issues. This was posted 4-8-21 during the Antonito Town Meeting. Thank you everyone!

COVID News and Vaccination Update (Includes seasonal residents!)

SAN LUIS VALLEY – There have been 3,139 cases of COVID-19 in the San Luis Valley since the pandemic began. Our region has 25 known active cases today. We have not seen a number this low in over 5 months, since the first week of October. At our peak on December 18th, there were 346 known active cases in our six-county region. 

Our local COVID-19 related hospitalizations peaked around the same time, with 27 local hospital admissions in the second half of December. In contrast, there were only 6 local COVID-19 related hospital admissions in the most recent two-week period ending March 13th. To date, the San Luis Valley has had 195 COVID-19 hospitalizations, 58 deaths among cases, and 31 deaths due to COVID-19. 

While conditions have drastically improved, COVID-19 is still with us and presents a potential danger in our community. Please continue to take precautions against the spread of illness. Wear a mask and practice physical distancing. If you feel sick, stay home, and get tested if you have symptoms of the virus. To pursue testing for COVID-19 through our regular testing providers call:

    • Rio Grande Hospital 719-657-4990

    • SLVHealth Respiratory Clinic 719-589-3000 ext. 9 

    • Valley-Wide Health Systems 719-589-3658 ext. 4 (M-F), 719-589-2562 (Sa/Su)

Widespread vaccinations are a key to ending the pandemic. Eligibility for vaccine is expanding on March 19th to Phase 1B.4. More information on who is eligible can be found at https://covid19.colorado.gov/vaccine. COVID-19 vaccinations continue to be available through local vaccine providers. In most cases appointments are required. To sign up to receive a vaccine, contact a local public health agency, hospital, clinic, or pharmacy. Online signup links for these providers can be found at www.slvphp.com. 

Vaccine events in the San Luis Valley are part of this effort to increase vaccine accessibility.

This Saturday, March 20th, Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Alamosa will host a vaccine clinic using the Moderna vaccine from 10am to 4pm at Faistl Hall on 715 4th Street in Alamosa. Please register at www.sacredheartalamosa.org. This event will be able to serve people who are eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine through Phase 1B.4. Sponsors are Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Los Promotores del Valle de San Luis, the SLV Area Health Education Center, and CDPHE. For more information contact Lisa Lucero (719) 588-5363. 

On Friday, March 26th, a vaccine clinic will be hosted at Sargent School (7090 N County Rd 2 E, Monte Vista) from 8:30am to 4pm at. Please sign up online at https://forms.gle/vqkFpe4SLmVbTqa98 or by calling 719-852-3322. This event was organized with agricultural workers in mind but is open to anyone who is eligible for the vaccine through Phase 1B.4. Sponsors are Valley-Wide Health Systems, Rio Grande County Public Health, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Sargent Schools, and CDPHE. 
 
Every Friday – Valley-Wide Health Systems will vaccinate anyone who is eligible but you must go to their website and sign up for a time. It is a drive through clinic but you must have an appointment. They are also setting up a mobile unit in LaJara on Mondays.  Go to https://vwhs.org/for-patients/coronavirus-updates/ The COVID Vaccine Tab is located at the top of the page.

Thanksgiving Message from Colorado Dept. of Public Health

The Colorado Dept. of Public Health & Environment (CDPHE) has issued this Thanksgiving Message –  CDPHE-COVID-Letter.pdf (2250 downloads ) and link for Thanksgiving Do’s and Don’ts.  Please think about your plans, and decide if it is really worth the risk of traveling and seeing family members that may be at risk. 

The Colorado COVID-19 dial is a tool that allows Colorado to balance the urgent need to contain the virus with the need for localized guidance during the pandemic. “We are adding a new level to the dial in response to out-of-control levels of COVID-19 transmission across the state,” said Jill Hunsaker Ryan, executive director, CDPHE. “Coloradans must take proactive steps to reduce the spread of the virus to protect their families and communities. Wear a mask, avoid in-person interactions with people from outside your household, and wash your hands frequently. If we are not careful now, we risk plunging into the deep end of the dial, where hospitals are not able to serve everyone who needs care, whether they are COVID-19 patients or other types of patients. It’s up to all Coloradans to help our essential health care workers save lives.” The new dial levels, effective Nov. 20, are:

  1. Level Green – Protect Our Neighbors: for counties that are able to locally contain surges. Most businesses are open with generous capacity limits. 
  2. Level Blue – Caution: for counties with low transmission levels that aren’t quite ready for Protect Our Neighbors. Capacity limits are more permissive than yellow.
  3. Level Yellow – Concern: the baseline level for counties with elevated transmission levels but stable hospitalizations. 
  4. Level Orange – High Risk:  for counties where numbers are going up but not to the point where everything needs to be shut down. The capacity limits are moderate.
  5. Level Red – Severe Risk: for counties with high levels of transmission, hospitalizations, and positivity rates. Most indoor activities are prohibited or strictly limited, and outdoor activities are encouraged as an alternative. The capacity limits are significant.
  6. Level Purple – Extreme Risk: for counties where hospital capacity is at extreme risk of being overrun. At this level, all businesses must significantly curtail in person functions and people must stay at home except for necessary activities.

https://covid19.colorado.gov/data/covid-19-dial-dashboard 

https://covid19.colorado.gov/press-release/several-counties-move-to-level-red-on-state-dial

As of Sunday, November 22, 2020 at 5 p.m., the following counties will be in Level Red:
  • Alamosa
  • Otero
  • Prowers
  • Pueblo
  • Weld

County levels are reviewed on an ongoing basis, and will be regularly updated.

Continue to stay up to date by visiting covid19.colorado.gov.

We wish you all a very safe and Happy Thanksgiving Holiday.  

Power Surges and Weather Station update

We have had some power surges in our area and when that happens, it affects our weather station.  The camera is working okay but I’ll have to reset and do a little work on the weather station. I appreciate your patience and ask that you give me a few days and hopefully we’ll have it back up by first of next week at the latest.  Thank you!

Be Respectful! Turn around at Mailboxes and Garbage Shed

When picking up your mail or taking trash please be respectful of those properties along the road in that area.  When you make a U Turn and even slightly go over on to private property it starts to rut out and cause damage to the property owners lot.  It doesn’t take much effort to back up using our well maintained roads.  Thank you for doing your part in keeping our lots in good condition. 

Scholarship Report

Scholarship Fundraising Results – August/September 2020

What an amazing group of caring landowners in our Association! Even though we were denied our usual annual meeting social gathering, many folks stepped up and sent in donations to our scholarship fund. We received $3,913 in donations and sold $220 worth of maps (Thank you Leah), bringing our total to $4,133. That brings our bank balance up to $7,458.71. At the end of August we delivered 39 bottles of spray disinfectant and 2 cases of tissues to the Antonito schools along with a tray of cookies to the teachers and staff with a thank you note from the Sheep Creek Landowners Association thanking them for all they do. Thank you all for making a difference in our community.
Sheep Creek Ranch Scholarship Committee
Vicki Bader, Mary Thorne, Debra Crowe and Debra Castro

Annual Meeting Minutes and Financial reports are located in the Members only Section under “Meeting Minutes”