Costilla County, CO

R.G.R. UNIT 46 BLK 16 LOT 12 CONT. 5.00 AC

5 acres

The San Luis Valley is one of the highest and largest intermountain valleys in the world. Bordered on the East by the Sangre De Cristo Mountains and the San Juans on the West, you will find a multitude of historical, cultural and recreational activities including: Monte Vista & Alamosa Wildlife Refuges, San Luis Lake State Park, Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Penitente Canyon, Thunder Mountain Speedway, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, Colorado Gator Farm, Del Norte, Monte Vista, etc. The San Luis Valley is one of Colorado’s last large agricultural areas. It is also is one of the nation’s largest potato producing areas, and produces a lot of barley and hay. If you drink beer brewed in Colorado (either Coors or Bud), chances are good the barley it was brewed from was grown in the San Luis Valley. The agricultural output of the Valley is amazing, since it sits at around 7,500+ elevation and has a relative short growing season. It averages generally less than 8 inches of precipitation per year and is totally reliant on irrigation. Winters can be very cold, but with relatively little snow on the valley floor. The valley is also cool in the summer with few days topping 90 degrees. The oldest settlements and the oldest continuously operating church in Colorado are in the Valley. There are some great local restaurants where one can find authentic southern Colorado/northern New Mexico “New Mexican” food. There are many neat things to see in the Valley–the Great Sand Dunes, an alligator farm (really!), the Stations of the Cross sculptures in San Luis (an absolute must-not-miss, regardless of one’s religious persuasion), the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad and the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad (both not to be missed), just to name a few.