CREEDE – 2024 was a year of success in Creede and Mineral County as it focused on celebrating the past while looking to the future. Throughout the year, Creede accomplished many improvements and saw local organizations celebrate milestones. 

The year kicked off with the Creede Ladies Aid announcing its quasquicentennial celebration marked with several opportunities to honor the organization and what it brings to the residents of Creede. The organization hosted another successful year of the rummage sale and gathered with the community to celebrate the pivotal moment for the organization.  

One of the largest projects for the year was the first phase of designing the downtown revitalization project for the City of Creede. The city was one of several municipalities across the state to receive CDOT grant funding for this in 2024. Construction is expected to begin in the spring of 2025. 

The Mineral County Sheriff’s Office was one of several recipients of Kevlar vests donated by Shield616. The department was gifted four vests to add to their personal safety equipment.  

The Creede School District had another successful year, welcoming a new Superintendent, Susan Birdsey, and celebrating the accomplishments of several students, including those who received recognition from the One-Act Competition. 

Students, ranging in grades from K-12, have officially received expertise in how to survive a “Zombie Apocalypse” and in doing so, swept the annual One-Act Competition awards at the Sangre de Cristo Arts and Conference Center in Pueblo. Students in the program came home with awards for Best Ensemble Performance, Best Sound Design, Best Set Concept, Best in The Booth, Best Backstage Coordination and an award for Best Young Performer that went to River Ferguson. 

Local business, San Juan Sports celebrated its 50th season, making it one of Creede’s longest standing outdoor sports businesses. The business was started in 1974 by resident George Ameel. Ameel started the business as “San Juan Hiking” in June 1974. It was located where the Creede Olive Oil company is today. When it first opened, the business focused on hiking gear and custom T-shirts but over the years it expanded to include some apparel and in 1980 moved to its current location, at 102 S. Main St., and changed its name to San Juan Sports. 

The Last Chance Mine in Creede was a hot topic during the fall of 2024 as film crews with Bodycool Media used it for a shoot. The mine was the perfect setting for the new western production that hit Amazon Prime Video in October. The film was made throughout the San Luis Valley and featured the Last Chance Mine. 

The year ended with the seating of newly appointed Mineral County Commissioner Zeke Ward and holiday celebrations.