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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 2, 2026 San Luis Valley, Colorado — This May, in recognition of Historic Preservation Month, the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area is calling attention to the real, often challenging, and time-consuming work it takes to preserve the historic places that define life in the Read more

National Heritage Areas (NHAs) play a vital role in preserving America’s history, culture, and landscapes while fueling locally driven economic development and conservation efforts. Across more than 35 states and one U.S. territory, these partnerships empower hundreds of communities to celebrate their unique stories, protect treasured resources, and create Read more

It’s that time of year again when the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area comes together to honor the local veterans who have served our country with courage and pride. We’re gathering stories, memories, and photos of our hometown heroes — and we’d love to include your loved ones. Read more

The Bain’s building was listed on the Colorado State Register of Historic Places on September 13, 1995 (Site (5AL.529) and the City of Alamosa Historic Registry on March 15, 2017 (Res. 08-2017). The Bain family constructed its department store near the end of the Great Depression utilizing salvaged brick, Read more

Just two years after Colorado became a state, a narrow-gauge train loaded with expectant settlers and their belongings stopped at a protected bend in the Rio Grande shaded by a grove of cottonwoods. In 1878 Alamosa—Spanish for cottonwood grove—was founded and is currently the largest town in the Sangre Read more

ALAMOSA, CO — The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area (SdCNHA) proudly awarded $4,000 in scholarships to eight exceptional students whose projects brought local history to life during the 2025 Regional History Fair. Held at Adams State University and hosted by the ASU Department of History, Anthropology, Philosophy, Political Read more

The Colorado Byways Symposium 2024 (35th Anniversary), May 1-4, 2024, is an event to bring together our Byways and Partners, with National and International Partners. The location is along the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway, within the culturally rich and beautiful Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Read more

Wide range of articles, stories, and accounts of San Luis Valley history, originally published from 1969-2017.   All proceeds benefit our youth programing: Field Trip Grants History Fair Scholarships Caminos del Valle Youth Walking Tours Heritage Camp Each issue costs $10! To purchase visit: https://paypal.me/sangreheritage?country.x=US&locale.x=en_US leave your contact information and Read more

Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Byway Audio Tour- Free Event!!!To participate in our scavenger hunt, download the following form, you'll need to download our tour on the TravelStorys App (https://travelstorys.com/download) and you'll need to keep an eye on the portal signs along the Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic & Historic Read more

Organization Background In 2009, Congress passed legislation establishing the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area with the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (S.22). That legislation designated the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, Inc. as the local coordinating entity and names the National Park Service as providing Read more