Alamosa was settled in 1878 and is now the seat of Alamosa County, located in the San Luis Valley. The settlers found an area shaded by cottonwood trees and named their new home "Alamosa", Spanish for cottonwood. Alamosa became the transportation and trading center for the San Luis Valley when the Denver and Rio Grande Western Railway moved in.
The goal of the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge is wildlife conservation. Among the inhabitants are ducks and geese, who arrive in early spring; bald eagles, mule deer, beaver and coyotes are visible year-round. The refuge was established in 1962, and has a visitor center with exhibits on the wildlife.
Address: Alamosa / Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex, 9383 El Rancho Lane, Alamosa, CO 81101-9003, United States
Phone: 1 (719) 589-4021, Fax: 1 (719) 587-0595
Hours:
March 1 to November 30: 9am-4pm; Closed: Sun, Sat
Tips: Hours shown are for the visitor center; refuge is open daily from dawn to dusk.
The San Luis Valley Alligator Farm is located between the towns of Mosca and Hooper. The alligators are able to survive in the thermal waters of an artesian well all year round.
Read More
Read Less
