Alamosa, Colorado

Alamosa is a pretty little town in the center of the San Luis Valley. It was founded as a railroad center when the Denver & Rio Grande Western first came into the San Luis Valley. With its' prime location right on the Rio Grande in the heart of the Valley, Alamosa is at the center of everything around here.

As Alamosa is the primary shopping center in the valley (Monte Vista runs a reasonable second), most of the sales taxes accumulate here and make this a more prosperous area than places like Costilla, Conejos and Saguache Counties. As part of this, Alamosa is also the arts, culture, entertainment and education center of the San Luis Valley. On the other hand, Alamosa County passed a tax measure to build a Convention Center in town but the plan was torpedoed through infighting among the business, religious and political leaders. Part of the argument went like this: Every town in southern Colorado is building a Convention Center and competing for the same business. It's a valid argument.

With the successful advent of the Rio Grande Scenic Railroad, the Alamosa train station has been refurbed and is Colorado's newest Welcome Center. Alamosa also recently went through the process of turning Main Street into a one way street (westbound), with the eastbound counterpart being one block south, right against the railroad tracks.

Adams State College is a four year college that is home to 2,500 on-campus undergraduates and 7,000 extended study students. The College offers associate's, bachelor's and master's degrees in 50 areas of study. Trinidad State Junior College also has a satellite campus in town.