SUMMERTIME
Hello, everyone! Hope you are enjoying this warm summer skies that we are blessed with this time of year. It’s a time of sunshine, of community, and of great opportunity for all of us to come together—so I’m thrilled to share a few important reminders, a celebration to look forward to, and a call to action that will keep our town thriving long after the last note of live music fades away.
First, let’s talk summer. These long, golden days are what we live for: backyard barbecues, morning coffee on the porch, and evenings spent with friends and family. Yet with the heat of summer comes responsibility. Please remember to stay cool. Drink plenty of water—even when you don’t feel thirsty. Seek shade during the hottest hours. If you have air conditioning, use it wisely; if you don’t, consider spending a few hours in a public cooling center, a library, or a friend’s home. Wear light, breathable clothing, and never leave anyone—especially children or pets—alone in a parked car. PLEASE TAKE CARE OF YOUR PETS!
As you look out for yourselves, I also urge you to look out for each other. Summer is a season of togetherness, and checking on neighbors is one of the simplest, most powerful things we can do. A quick knock on the door, a friendly wave across the fence, or a cold glass of lemonade shared on the front porch can brighten someone’s day—and in extreme heat, it can save a life. If you have elderly neighbors or friends with health challenges, make a plan to check in on them daily, offer to pick up groceries, or help with errands. In doing so, we knit our community closer together and ensure that no one faces the summer heat alone.
Now, I have some exciting news to share. Over the past year, our Downtown Revitalization Grant has been hard at work improving the heart of our town. We’ve installed ADA ramps in our sidewalks. We’ve installed new signs that brightens our evenings and makes everyone feel safer, added colorful murals, and created pocket parks where you can gather, relax, and connect. This project has been powered by your ideas, your feedback, and your belief that our downtown can become a thriving center for business, culture, and community.
I’m proud to announce that we are officially wrapping up this grant project—and you’re all invited to celebrate with us! Mark your calendars for Saturday, July 26, 2025. From 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., our freshly revitalized downtown district will be the setting for an afternoon bursting with games, live music, hamburgers and hotdogs, and activities for every age. Bring the kids, bring the whole family, tap your feet to the sounds of hometown bands showcasing our region’s talent.
This celebration isn’t just about what we’ve built. It’s about who we are: a community that cares, that collaborates, and that celebrates together. It’s a reminder that when we combine our passions, our time, and our resources, we can turn a vision into something real and lasting. And it’s an invitation—to families, to longtime residents, to newcomers—to be part of our town’s next chapter.
So please, take a moment to share this invitation with a neighbor. Post it on social media. Text a friend. Put a note on your refrigerator. Then come walk through these improvements, dance in the street to live music, and bask in the pride of what we’ve accomplished together.
In closing, let this summer be one of compassion and connection. Stay cool, stay hydrated, and watch out for each other. And on July 26, let’s make downtown come alive in celebration of community, creativity, and the bright future we’re building—together. Thank you, and I can’t wait to see you there!
Thank you!
Mayor Charles Shupe
Contact Information
- Mayor Charles Shupe
- Address: 532 Carson, PO Box 468, Las Animas, CO 81054
- Phone: (719) 456-0806
- Fax: (719) 456-1210
- Email: mayor@lasanimas.city
Mayor’s Office
Mayor - Charles Shupe
- Email: mayor@lasanimas.city