Alamosa, County seat in San Luis Valley, Colorado, United States
Alamosa is a town in Colorado's San Luis Valley, sitting at around 7,500 feet (2,300 meters), and serves as the seat of Alamosa County. The settlement stretches along the crossing of two highways, surrounded by open farmland and pastures that extend between mountain ranges on either side.
The railroad from Denver reached this point in the high valley in 1878 and established a junction for lines heading south and west. Over the following decades, the settlement grew into a trading and supply hub for farmers and ranchers working in the valley.
The town takes its name from the cottonwood trees that once lined the waterways in this high valley. Around 10,000 people live here today, and they shape their daily routines around farming, ranching, and access to the surrounding mountain ranges.
A small airport on the edge of town offers flights to the state capital several times a week, making access to this part of Colorado easier. The streets in the center are laid out in a grid and can be explored on foot or by car without much difficulty.
The nearest peaks over 14,000 feet (4,200 meters) in the Sangre de Cristo range stand less than 25 miles (40 kilometers) away and can be seen from town. This proximity to several high mountains makes the settlement a starting point for hikers and climbers.
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