Commissioners approve permits for two events

by Larry Patrick
WALSENBURG — Hippie Days and the annual Battlemoor event both received approval by the Huerfano County Commissioners at their Wednesday meeting.
J. Riviezzo spoke to the commissioners about the Battlemoor event to be held over the Labor Day weekend outside of Walsenburg. For two years, the even had been held on the July 4th weekend but conflicts with other things going on in the area prompted them to move the date this year. John Stroh has allowed use of his land near the base of Greenhorn Mountain northwest of Walsenburg. Riviezzo is expecting 900 to 950 people this year, which is down from previous years, but he says the change of date and holiday is the main factor. Information about Walsenburg and Huerfano County is being distributed to those attending who wish to use hotel rooms and other amenities.
Danielle Seawell obtained approval for Gardner’s Hippie Days. A new non-profit organization, the No Bad Vibes Project, will host the event. Seawell explained being a non-profit group will allow them more flexibility for doing other things in the Gardner community. They are currently operating off donations and are starting out small while they build up the organization. Hippie Days is slated to be held Aug. 24th and 25th. Commissioners had noted several weeks ago they had yet been approached for the required permit. All is now fine, and the event is moving forward.
Shell Energy talked with the Commissioners about approval of some of their agreements. Mike Bergstrom said Shell is hosting a Walsenburg open house next Wednesday August 22, at 5:30 pm at the Museum of Friends building, at the corner of Main and 6th in Walsenburg.
The August community forum will be the following evening, Thursday August 23 from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Huerfano County Community Center in Walsenburg. The forum topic will be on safety and the selection of a specific well location in the Gardner area. They expect to drill one well initially beginning in early November.