What actually is the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area?
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A National Heritage Area is designated by Congress for its unique nationally significant qualities and resources. It is a place where a combination of natural, cultural, historic and recreational resources have shaped a cohesive, nationally distinctive landscape.
A National Heritage Area employs a partnership approach to heritage development involving collaborative planning around a theme, industry and/or geographical feature that influenced the nation’s culture and history. This planning strategy encourages residents, government agencies, nonprofit groups and private partners to agree on and prioritize programs and projects that recognize, preserve and celebrate many of America’s defining landscapes.
A National Heritage Area seeks short- and long-term solutions to conservation and development challenges by fostering relationships among regional stakeholders and encouraging them to work collaboratively to achieve shared goals.
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Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area and Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway are Stewardship Members of the Care for Colorado Coalition.
Featured Stories from Our Heritage Area
Covering histories and adventurous tales from our heritage!
Bain’s Building – Rainbows End
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
Emperius Building – Milagros Coffee House
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 SangreRead more
Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Awards History Scholarships to Students
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, PoliticalRead more
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