Ratzlaff announces run for Rio Grande County Commissioner

MONTE VISTA — Tyler Ratzlaff, of Monte Vista, is running for Rio Grande County Commissioner.

His family moved to Monte Vista when he was 7 years old. Ratzlaff is known in the community as a long-time veterinarian who recently retired. His career spanned more than 30 years, and as the owner of Alpine Veterinary Hospital, he took the business from a one-doctor, one-location practice to a five-doctor practice with two locations. Coworkers have remarked that he is honest and has a strong work ethic.
Ratzlaff is running to be a commissioner for Rio Grande County because of his desire to serve the community.

As a veterinarian, he served the community through people’s pets and livestock. He also served by being on the Monte Vista School District Board for two terms and was board president for most of the second term.

Ratzlaff has also served as president of the San Luis Valley Veterinary Medical Association and was on the Scientific Review Committee for the Regional Science Fair for more than 10 years. Retirement has provided him with the time and energy needed to devote to being a commissioner.

As owner of Alpine Veterinary Hospital, Ratzlaff managed a staff of 20 to 25 people. This allowed him to develop his management skills and he will use those skills as a commissioner. His management system is to put good people in place and let them do their job. This creates a good working environment and strong morale.

The budget is always foremost in any decisions in operating a business and it is the same in the county. The funds should be used where they give “the biggest bang for the buck.”

The San Luis Valley’s water is the center of attention again. The county already has a resolution against RWR exporting water from the Valley and Ratzlaff would push for the county to do everything it can to oppose RWR.


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