Conejos County

Conejos County is an administrative county in southern Colorado that covers about 1,290 square miles (3,340 square kilometers) across the San Luis Valley. The landscape includes mountain terrain in the west and open valley areas that define the region's geography.

The Colorado legislature created this county in November 1861 as one of the original 17 counties in the state. It was briefly called Guadalupe County for just one week before receiving its current name.

The chapel dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe in Conejos was Colorado's first church and reflects the spiritual importance of this early settlement. It continues to shape community life and shows the Spanish colonial influence that remains visible in the region.

The county includes five incorporated towns and several smaller communities, with government offices in the unincorporated town of Conejos. Visitors should expect rural distances and scattered services across the region.

One of the most notable features is the Cumbres and Toltec Scenic Railroad, which runs from Antonito through mountain passes toward Chama, New Mexico. The railroad operates its original 1880 route, offering travelers a journey through high mountain scenery by vintage rail.

Location: Colorado

Inception: November 1, 1861

Capital city: Conejos

Shares border with: Rio Grande County, Alamosa County, Costilla County, Taos County, Rio Arriba County, Archuleta County

Website: http://conejoscounty.org

GPS coordinates: 37.21000,-106.19000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:22