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UPDATES FOR SCLA AND COVID-19 IN THE SLV

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Due to the constant updates around Public Health Orders, Recreation and Requirements due to COVID-19, below is a brief summary with links to give you the latest information.For current information, visit slvemergency.org. This is an important website that is updated daily.

FIRE BAN Resolution 4-14-2020 – Conejos County has issued a Fire Ban Resolution due to the continued drying trend and wind. Conejos County Sheriff Garth Crowther has initiated Stage 2 fire restrictions for all of Conejos County. Links to Conejos-County-Fire-Ban-Resolution-4-14-2020.pdf (1836 downloads ) and Conejos County Website

ALL TRASH must be in a bag before putting in the dumpster.  The Governor is requiring NO unbagged trash can be taken to the Landfill.  PLEASE do your part, and do not throw loose trash in our dumpster, BAGGED TRASH ONLY!

SEASONAL HOMEOWNERS – Letter from Conejos Co. Public Health Dept. 4-13-20 – PLEASE READ  Conejos-County-Seasonal-Homeowners-Letter-1.pdf (1710 downloads )

Letter from SCLA Board of Directors 4-9-20 – COVID-19-Sheep-Creek-Letter-BOD.pdf (1725 downloads )

The Rio Grande National Forest announced an order on 4/7/2020 to temporarily close developed recreation sites and to implement fire restrictions. Developed recreation sites are temporarily closed while dispersed camping, hiking, and river uses are allowed as long as people are maintaining social distancing and staying aware of how they may impact local EMS services. Closed developed recreation sites include campgrounds, day-use areas, picnic areas, and any other constructed facility amenities – such as potable water stations, fire rings/grills, picnic tables, restroom facilities with flush or vaulted toilets, trash cans and trash collection services. Parking facilities, trails, and trailheads remain open. Dispersed camping includes camping on a national forest or grassland where recreation facilities or services are not provided.

Repeat message from Governor Polis: “I’m going to say this again and again: This is not a vacation; it’s a pandemic. Stay home unless absolutely necessary. There are still an alarming number of people traveling to our mountain and rural communities, putting themselves and others at risk. Whether you’re a second homeowner or weekend warrior, please stay home.” 

Testing supplies are extremely limited at this time, so not all who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested. For those who experience mild symptoms, testing does not change the treatment. Those experiencing mild symptoms can care for themselves at home as they would for a regular cold while following isolation instructions below.

The best thing everyone else can do is to follow the state and local public health orders to stay at home. Businesses and health care workers are making some serious sacrifices during this pandemic. Let us, as a community make sure that those sacrifices have not been in vain. Continue to stay at home as much as possible, without visitors, even if you feel fine. Because the truth is with this virus, sometimes people can transmit it to others before they even know they have it. 

LAST REMINDER OF HOW COVID-19 can effect you here in the Conejos Canyon. 

  • Resources: Our local health care system, Conejos County EMS and Conejos County Sheriff are not equipped to handle cases of the Coronavirus that could arrive with increased population.
  • Grocery stores: Please be aware grocery stores in Conejos county have limited quantities of stock and availability.
  • Healthcare: Valley Wide Health Services and SLV health are extremely limited in their capacity to care for those affected by COVID-19. SLV Health hospitals have very limited testing resources. Hospital beds and ICU capabilities throughout the SLV are very limited. An influx of population will potentially put added pressure on nearby regional hospitals that will be taxed by other areas too.
  • Altitude: Conejos County’s high altitude is not well suited for a respiratory illness such as COVID-19.
  • Quarantine: Conejos County is requesting you to self-quarantine in your home for 14 days upon returning to our County for the prevention of spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

IMPORTANT Letter from SCLA BOD and CONEJOS CO PUBLIC HEALTH

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Letter from Conejos Co. Public Health Dept. CCPH-Seasonal-Homeowners-letter-4.9.20-DRAFT.pdf (1718 downloads )

April 9, 2020

Dear Sheep Creek Neighbors,

Sheep Creek Board of Directors has been advised by the Public Health Directors and Emergency Managers to ask you all to STAY AT HOME.

Colorado Governor Polis has extended a state-wide lockdown through April with an extension expected until June 1.

“This is not a vacation; it’s a pandemic. Stay home unless absolutely necessary. There are still an alarming number of people traveling to our mountain and rural communities, putting themselves and others at risk. Whether you’re a second homeowner or weekend warrior, please STAY HOME.”

                                              Colorado Governor, Jared Polis

Colorado counties and our neighboring Conejos communities are requesting that seasonal homeowners and visitors wait before coming up.

Recreation areas are being closed. If you get sick here, hospital beds in Alamosa are extremely limited. We are asking that you please STAY HOME. 

For current information, visit slvemergency.org. This is an important website that is updated daily.

We will continue to give you updates and revised recommendations as we receive them.

Be safe!

Sheep Creek Board of Directors
Clint Crowe, James Eanes, Neal Lummus, Leah Thomas, Vicki Bader, Michael Hardin, Bob Newcomer

————————————————————————————————————————–

Conejos County Public Health . P.O. Box 78 La Jara, CO  81140 . Phone: (719) 274-4307  

Thinking of visiting your part-time home in Conejos County to enjoy the abundant trails, waters, peaks and sunshine? Please Think Again.

While the primary residents of Conejos County work to weather the coronavirus (COVID-19) health crisis, they are experiencing some of the complications of living in a rural area. These complications include, but are not limited to the following:

  • Resources: Our local health care system, Conejos County EMS and Conejos County Sheriff are not equipped to handle cases of the Coronavirus that could arrive with increased population.
  • Grocery stores: Please be aware grocery stores in Conejos county have limited quantities of stock and availability.
  • Healthcare: Valley Wide Health Services and SLV health are extremely limited in their capacity to care for those affected by COVID-19. SLV Health hospitals have very limited testing resources. Hospital beds and ICU capabilities throughout the SLV are very limited. An influx of population will potentially put added pressure on nearby regional hospitals that will be taxed by other areas too.
  • Altitude: Conejos County’s high altitude is not well suited for a respiratory illness such as COVID-19. 
  • Quarantine: Conejos County is requesting you to self-quarantine in your home for 14 days upon returning to our County for the prevention of spread of Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Help Conejos County by simply not visiting or re-locating to your second home at this time. We miss you. We value you. We can’t wait to see you again. Just please, not until we begin to reverse the aggressive trend of this global pandemic in our neck of the woods.

For the most recent information on COVID-19 numbers in the San Luis Valley, please see www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION for Sheep Creek Residents & COVID-19 Information for the San Luis Valley

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PLEASE READ THIS IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR THOSE WHO ARE NOW IN SHEEP CREEK OR ARE PLANNING TO COME SOON!

  • ALL TRASH must be in a bag before putting in the dumpster.  The Governor is requiring NO unbagged trash can be taken to the Landfill.  PLEASE do your part, and do not throw loose trash in our dumpster, BAGGED TRASH ONLY!
  • UPDATE ADDED 4/3- Gov. Jared Polis announced Friday that he’s asking Coloradans to start wearing cloth, non-medical masks for any essential trip outside the home, to the grocery store or for any other purpose, to further help prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. Combining face coverings with frequent hand washing reduces transmission of the virus, Polis said, donning a mask several times during his Friday news conference.  “Let’s make it cool! Show everyone what you’re doing to be clever and cool about wearing masks,” he said, and have fun with it. Joining him was musician Nathaniel Rateliff via video-conference to encourage people to wear masks and to launch a state partnership with the Colorado Mask Project. 
  • Excerpts from 4/2 daily briefing:
    1. SAN LUIS VALLEY – We want to start today with a message from Governor Polis: “I’m going to say this again and again: This is not a vacation; it’s a pandemic. Stay home unless absolutely necessary. There are still an alarming number of people traveling to our mountain and rural communities, putting themselves and others at risk. Whether you’re a second homeowner or weekend warrior, please stay home.” 
    2. In this troubled time, it is also important for those with more than they need to remember our local food banks.  The Food Bank Network of the SLV is accepting donations of food and household or personal supplies to be distributed across the valley. To make a cash donation, send a check to Food Bank Network SLV, 513 6th St. Alamosa CO 81101. Your donation can be designated for a particular food bank community (on your check)
    3. The statewide stay-at-home order is for everyone, all the time, except for brief essential activities like getting groceries or performing work that has been deemed as essential.
    4. If you have felt ill since March 1st, please complete our SLV Symptom Tracker Survey at www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19 to help us get a better understanding of what is happening in our community. The survey is anonymous. 

In order to keep you updated with the ever changing current status of the COVID-19 here in Conejos County and the San Luis Valley, go to  SLVEmergency.org  A complete count of known cases are listed on this site as well. 

April 2nd Daily Briefing 

SAN LUIS VALLEY – We want to start today with a message from Governor Polis: “I’m going to say this again and again: This is not a vacation; it’s a pandemic. Stay home unless absolutely necessary. There are still an alarming number of people traveling to our mountain and rural communities, putting themselves and others at risk. Whether you’re a second homeowner or weekend warrior, please stay home.” 

Testing supplies are extremely limited at this time, so not all who are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19 will be tested. For those who experience mild symptoms, testing does not change the treatment. Those experiencing mild symptoms can care for themselves at home as they would for a regular cold while following isolation instructions below.

The statewide stay-at-home order is for everyone, all the time, except for brief essential activities like getting groceries or performing work that has been deemed as essential. Isolation and quarantine go beyond that. 

Isolation can be done at home or, in the worst cases, in the hospital. It is important for those who experience mild symptoms to do the right thing and self-isolate at home until you are fever-free for 72 hours without medication and it’s been 7 days since the onset of symptoms and your symptoms have improved. During this self-isolation period, do not leave your home for any reason except to get emergency medical care. As much as possible, separate yourself from household members. Some patients will experience worsening symptoms, becoming sick enough to require hospitalization.

Quarantine is for those who have had close contact with someone who is sick. If you have been exposed, you may transmit the COVID-19 virus to others before you develop symptoms, which could take up to 14 days. If you have been exposed, you must stay home for 14 days while you see if symptoms develop. Do not leave your home except to receive medical care as instructed by your doctor. Arrange for someone else to deliver your groceries to your doorstep; do not go to work or out into the community for any reason during your quarantine period. 

If you have felt ill since March 1st, please complete our SLV Symptom Tracker Survey at www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19 to help us get a better understanding of what is happening in our community. The survey is anonymous. Though it will help us track the spread, it will not help us answer the question of how many people have recovered from COVID-19 here in the SLV. There have been no new positive cases of COVID-19 identified today. Local numbers are updated daily at www.slvemergency.org/slv-covid-19

The best thing everyone else can do is to follow the state and local public health orders to stay at home. Businesses and health care workers are making some serious sacrifices during this pandemic. Let us, as a community make sure that those sacrifices have not been in vain. Continue to stay at home as much as possible, without visitors, even if you feel fine. Because the truth is with this virus, sometimes people can transmit it to others before they even know they have it. 

In this troubled time, it is also important for those with more than they need to remember our local food banks.  The Food Bank Network of the SLV is accepting donations of food and household or personal supplies to be distributed across the valley. To make a cash donation, send a check to Food Bank Network SLV, 513 6th St. Alamosa CO 81101. Your donation can be designated for a particular food bank community (on your check). 

As always, we are working diligently to minimize the impact of COVID on our community! Stay home, Stay Safe, and we will get through this together, one step at a time!

SLV COVID general questions 719-480-8719 for English, or 719-315-5019 for Spanish. You may also email your questions to slvepr@alamosacounty.org. 

CO HELP line 1-877-462-2911 (English and Spanish) for Colorado general information.

Colorado updates and guidance: https://covid19.colorado.gov 

CDC updates and guidance: https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus

Small Business – www.choosecolorado.com

Volunteer or Donate – www.helpcoloradonow.org 

We would like to thank everyone who has participated so far in our SLV Symptom Tracker survey. So far the data shows that in the San Luis Valley, around 80% of those with symptoms have mild, not severe, symptoms. That is consistent with what other parts of the country are seeing. People who are not at high risk of severe illness may not need to be evaluated in person or tested for COVID-19.  Whether symptoms are mild or severe, do not wait for a test to self-isolate. The severity of your symptoms has nothing to do with your ability to transmit the virus to others. If you have symptoms, self-isolate, or in other words, stay at home and avoid contact with others until: 

  • You have had no fever for at least 72 hours (without the use of medicine) AND
  • Other symptoms (cough, shortness of breath) have improved AND
  • At least 7 days have passed since your symptoms first appeared.
  • Anyone in your household who has had close contact with you (within six feet for approximately 10 minutes) should self-quarantine for 14 days, even if you haven’t been tested for COVID-19.

Call your healthcare provider or a local nurse line if your illness becomes more severe, especially if you are experiencing shortness of breath. You can use telehealth or a nurseline to get medical guidance; find out more and access a  list of telehealth and nurseline resources here: https://covid19.colorado.gov/telehealth-and-nurselines

If you have a medical emergency, call 911. If you have severe respiratory symptoms, especially shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, tell the 911 dispatcher about your symptoms. Do not wait for a COVID-19 test to self-isolate or call 911.

Approval of Latest Fire Mitigation Grant

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We are excited to announce that our application for the 2019-2020 Forest Restoration and Wildfire Risk Mitigation Program “Ongoing Sheep Creek Landowner Association Fuel Reduction” has been approved for funding by the Colorado State Forest Service. As you may know, applying for, collecting required data, and monitoring grants takes a huge amount of time, dedication, and effort. Thank you Bob Newcomer and James Eanes who work tirelessly for the benefit of all of us in Sheep Creek.

The complete information is available for you to download:  Forest-Grant-Approval-Feb-2020.pdf (1787 downloads )

2019 SCLA Annual Meeting

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Once again we had another successful annual meeting of the Sheep Creek Landowners Association held on August 3.  Thank you to all who helped with setting up, donations, providing food or opening your home for our evening meal and fundraiser (Thorne’s) and to our Board of Directors for the countless hours you contribute to keeping our association going.  The meeting minutes and financials are now posted in the members only section under meeting minutes.  

Additional report from the scholarship committee:

The auction, hat sales & recipe sale brought in $2,343.  Additional donations from Landowners and Community Bank brought in $2,100 bringing our Grand total to $4,443.

Thank you Thank you Thank you!

The Scholarship Committee

Reminder – Sheep Creek 2019 Annual Meeting Aug. 3

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Sheep Creek 2019 Annual Meeting will once again be held at the Red Bear in Horca beginning at 10:00 a.m. Auction Items will be on display at the Red Bear before and after the meeting. The Potluck and Scholarship Silent Auction Fundraiser will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Thorne’s Residence,  49 River Run Drive in Sheep Creek. The Association will provide grilled brats with fixings, chips, cowboy beans and drinks.

Families with last names beginning with:

  • A-L are asked to bring a side or an appetizer
  • M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. 

Auction items will be on display and bids taken during the meal. The auction will be closed after the meal.

Updated Information from Jade Communications and our President, Clint Crowe

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Important  updates – Members, the June 20, BOD Meeting Minutes have been posted in the Members Only section now.  A “Water Leak Policy” was approved at the meeting. This policy is attached to the minutes. Please be sure to read and familiarize yourself with the policy.  Clint has an update below concerning fiber optic installation timing.  Also, remember the SCLA Annual meeting is less than a month away http://sheepcreek.org/scla-annual-meeting-aug-3/ 
 

If you are interested in optic fiber Hi-Speed Internet for your cabin, placing a pre-order with JADE will get you on their initial installation phase.  For connection contact JADE in Alamosa for info or pre-order registration: (719) 589-5140.

Clint

Hi Clint and Chris,
 
I just wanted to write you an update for people in Bear Creek / Sheep Creek.
Due to strange circumstances (such as flooding), we are progressing slower than we’d like. As a result, we have hired another contractor to help us out.  I hope to start in Bear Creek / Sheep Creek in August-ish. We will be staging a huge push later this summer to connect all who’ve signed up. 
Thank you guys for your patience!
 
Best,
 
Josh Wehe
Jade Communications, LLC
129 Santa Fe Avenue | P.O. Box 1138, Alamosa, CO 81101 
Voice: 719-206-8124 | Office: 719-589-5140 | Website: gojade.org 

joshwehe@gojade.org

    

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ANNOUNCEMENTS – SCLA Annual Meeting Aug. 3 & Labor Day Weekend Clean-up

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Read on to hear about changes this year to the Fundraiser and Dinner

Sheep Creek 2019 Annual Meeting will once again be held at the Red Bear in Horca beginning at 10:00 a.m. Auction Items will be on display at the Red Bear before and after the meeting. The Potluck and Scholarship Silent Auction Fundraiser will begin at 5:00 p.m. at the Thorne’s Residence,  49 River Run Drive in Sheep Creek. The Association will provide grilled brats with fixings, chips, cowboy beans and drinks.

Families with last names beginning with:

  • A-L are asked to bring a side or an appetizer
  • M-Z are asked to bring a dessert. 

Auction items will be on display and bids taken during the meal. The auction will be closed after the meal

Annual Labor Day Weekend Clean-Up – Have you noticed our beautiful view of Sheep Creek? Last year during our Annual Labor Day Weekend Clean-Up, we had our whole community involved and working. We were able to split into groups and get all debris and deadfall that was stacked by our roads mulched. We also have a much-improved view of Sheep Creek thanks to the time and dedication of our clean-up crews. A huge thank-you to everyone.

All Sheep Creek landowners are encouraged to take advantage of this year’s Labor Day Weekend Clean-Up by removing limbs, debris, and deadfall from your property and placing it beside Rivier Run Drive, or your side road, where it can be easily reached by the mulching machine.
 
This yearly property clean-up not only helps keep Sheep Creek the beautiful place that it is but also helps with fire prevention. We are a designated Firewise Community and our Labor Day weekend clean-up projects help us retain this status. Remember that being a Firewise Community may also help you receive a deduction on your home and property insurance.
 
So put our Labor Day Weekend Clean-Up on your calendar. Digital? Paper? Whichever you use, be sure to “save the date”. Have your property ready with debris by the road. And join us for this Sheep Creek community event! 
 
Oh, and did I mention that there is often a fun casual get-together afterward?! See you then!