Getting There

By Car -- Alamosa is at the junction of U.S. 160, which runs east 73 miles to I-25 at Walsenburg and west to Durango; and U.S. 285, which extends south to Santa Fe, New Mexico, and north to Denver. Because of a jog in U.S. 285, however, a more direct route into the city from the north is to take Colo. 17 the last 50 miles.

By Plane -- The San Luis Valley Regional Airport (tel. 719/589-9446), 2500 State St., 3 miles off U.S. 285 South, has service to and from Denver with United Express (tel. 800/241-6522).

Visitor Information

The Alamosa County Visitor Information Center, Cole Park (Chamber Dr. at Third St.), Alamosa, CO 81101 (tel. 800/258-7597 or 719/589-4840), operates a visitor information center, with summer hours from 8am to 6pm Monday through Friday and from 9am to 4pm Saturday and Sunday; and winter hours from 8am to 5pm Monday through Friday.

Fast Facts

The San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, with a 24-hour emergency room, is at 106 Blanca Ave. (tel. 719/589-2511). The post office is at 505 Third St., off State Avenue. Contact the U.S. Postal Service (tel. 800/275-8777) for hours and other information.

Special Events

Crane Festival, mid-March, in Monte Vista; Rodeo, late June; Farm and Ranch Heritage Days, early July, Monte Vista; Early Iron Festival (classic cars and hot rods), Labor Day weekend.