Set in the center of the vast San Luis Valley of southern Colorado, Alamosa serves as the region's hub for tourism. Millions of years ago, eruptions and massive earthquakes formed the largest alpine valley in the world, in which the floor lays 7,500 feet above sea level. Nestled high in the Colorado Rockies, protected by 14,000 foot peaks, the San Luis Valley offers breathtaking scenery year round. The San Juan Range on the west is the continental divide. The spiny Sangre de Cristo Range on the east is one of Colorado's tallest mountain ranges. Mt. Blanca, the fourth tallest peak in Colorado, at 14,345 feet, towers over the San Luis Valley. The valley floor is a semi-arid vista receiving approximately eight inches of moisture a year.

In June of 1878 a narrow-gauge train loaded with expectant settlers chugged west from Fort Garland to settle a new town on the Rio Grande River at the center of the vast San Luis Valley. They found a protected area shaded by cottonwood trees and named their new home "Alamosa", is Spanish for cottonwood. The Valley was settled and began growing due to the agricultural production. Over the next ten years rails were laid in all four directions and Alamosa became a veritable center of the San Luis Valley. The little town soon grew into a rail, agricultural, mining and educational center.

San Luis & Rio Grand Railroad is Colorado's newest tourist train! Be one of the first in over 50 years to ride these historic rails over the Sangre de Cristo Mountains. Your ride includes a lunch stop in the quaint mountain town of La Veta, before returning to downtown Alamosa.

Colorado Gators, brought to the valley over 20 year ago to act as garbage disposals for this thriving Tilapia fish farm, the gators have become the San Luis Valley's most unusual attraction. 17 miles north of Alamosa on Highway 17. The Two Mile Creek Wildlife Habitat provides the opportunity to view gators in a natural setting, to fish and go boating, nature trail hiking and picnicking.

The wildlife and water of San Luis Lakes have attracted visitors for more than ten thousand years. This unique desert area includes approximately 9 miles of easy, level hiking and biking trails. Waterfowl, shorebirds, songbirds and raptors fill the sky over this outstanding watchable wildlife area most of the year. In addition, big game such as deer and elk can be seen roaming the surrounding ranch land. Bison are found at the nearby Rocky Mountain Bison Ranch.

The Los Caminos Antiguos Byway starts in Alamosa and continues through San Luis, Fort Garland, Antonito, and into Chama, New Mexico, following the trails of the Spanish Conquerors. The byway is 129 miles long and takes about three hours to travel.

America's second largest river originates in the San Juan Mountains northwest of Del Norte (west of Alamosa). Twisting its way through the San Luis Valley on its 1,900 mile journey, the river has prime and gold medal trout fishing, float fishing, rafting, tubing and wildlife viewing. There are pleasant walking trails running along the river and through the town of Alamosa.

The Sand Dunes Pool is a Natural Hot Artesian Water. The water enters the pool at 118 degrees, but is maintained between 98-102 degrees depending on the season. The recent addition of an enclosure at one end of the pool assures comfort from the weather and covers the baby pool. A Therapy pool for 25 people is maintained at 105-107 degrees. Never as crowded as the better known Glenwood Springs pool, but just as family oriented and relaxing -- a true getaway!

Great Sand Dunes National Park, a 20-minute drive from town, is a unique geological juxtaposition -- the nation's highest sand dunes (topping out at 750 feet) against a backdrop of 13,000-foot mountain peaks. Visitors come to hike, sled and even ski the dunes, and also picnic and explore the trails and wildlife preserve that are part of this new national park. Deer, bears, mountain lions, foxes and coyotes make their homes here, along with some rare species of insects.

Jeeping along the Alamosa River to Platoro is a scenic loop from the San Luis Valley on the eastern slope of the Continental Divide. It will take you through the old town sites of Stunner and Jasper, and over Stunner Pass. Another trail takes you through Medano Pass along the Great Sand Dunes Trail.

Visitors should also check out the 18-hole golf course and other nearby attractions, such as the alligator farm in Mosca or the Zapata Falls waterfall. The Alamosa-Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge is a bird-watcher's paradise, especially in spring.

Cole Park, Alamosa Colorado 81101; 800-BLU-SKYS (258-7597).

Visit Alamosa Convention & Visitor's Bureau at www.alamosa.org