Alamosa, CO

Alamosa, Colorado

Introduction to Alamosa, Colorado

Located in Alamosa county, the city of Alamosa, Colorado, is 87 miles SW of Pueblo,Colorado (center to center) and 110 miles SW of Colorado Springs, Colorado. It has a population of 7,960 residents.

Alamosa History

The earliest settlements in what is now the area in and around the San Louis Valley were created more than 11,000 years ago by the native American tribes Clovis and Folsom, whose main occupation was hunting. During the 1500s Spain claimed the land, and attracted many settlers through establishment of land grants. In the 1850s, the area had its first permanent settlements. Two years after the State of Colorado was formed, many settlers traveling by narrow gauge train across the country would stop at a sheltered bend in the Rio Grande, where there were huge groves of cottonwood. The population of this area grew rapidly, eventually resulting in the forming the city of Alamosa in the year 1878; the name Alamosa meaning "cottonwood" in Spanish.

Alamosa and nearby Attractions

• Fort Garland Historical Museum
• Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge
• San Luis State Park
• Cattails Golf Course
• Rio Grande National Forest

Things To Do In Alamosa

Alamosa is the home of historic Fort Garland. Another popular spot in the city is the Alamosa National Wildlife Refuge, which attracts migratory birds and other animals. San Luis State park also is a haven for a variety of wildlife.

Alamosa Transportation

The closest airport to Alamosa is the San Luis Valley Regional Airport.

Alamosa Higher Education

There are several schools for higher education in Alamosa. Among them are the Adams State college, Pueblo Community college, University of Southern Colorado, and the Western State college.

High Points

Alamosa strengths, compared to Peers (similar size places nationally) or State (other places in Colorado):

Category	Trophy
Short Commute Times (vs. Peers)	Top 1%
Walking and Biking to Work (vs. Peers)	Top 2%
Racial Diversity (vs. State)	Top 8%
Affordability of Rents (vs. Peers)	Top 13%
Affordability of Property Taxes (vs. Peers)	Top 15%

Comparative Profile of Alamosa, CO

Comparing Alamosa to similar size places nationwide (Peers) and to other places in Colorado (State):

Ratings range from (lowest) to (highest).

The People

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Racial Diversity
Children Under 5 Years Old
Female Share of the Population
Male Share of the Population
Senior Citizens
Well-Paid Single Men
Age of the Population

Families

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Average Household Size
Portion of People Married

Wealth

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
College Educated Adults
Median Family Income
People in Middle Class or Better
People Above Poverty

Commute & Sprawl

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Short Commute Times
Walking and Biking to Work
Working at Home
Public Transportation Use

Housing

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Studio & One-Bedroom Rentals
Affordability of Rents
People Living Alone
Affordability of Property Taxes
Housing Recently Built
Seasonal and Vacation Housing

Crime

Characteristic	Compared to Peers	Compared to State
Low Property Crime
Low Violent Crime

Alamosa Almanac

Alamosa Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

• Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
• Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

Alamosa Population (2000)

(From 2000 Census, as reported by individuals)

Neighborhood and Nearby Area Names

According to the US Postal Service, Alamosa, its neighborhoods, and/or surrounding areas are also referred to as:

Note that not all alternate names are acceptable for use in US Post Office addresses.

Nearby Cities and Towns

Alamosa Public Libraries

More Information for Librarians

Alamosa Hospitals

SAN LUIS VALLEY REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER
(Voluntary non-profit - Private)
106 BLANCA AVE
(719) 589-2511
Emergency Service: No

Starbucks in Alamosa

Wal-Mart in Alamosa

Alamosa High Schools (2004)

ALAMOSA HIGH SCHOOL
805 CRAFT DRIVE
719-587-6000
Serves 648 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 15

ALAMOSA OPEN SCHOOL
216 VICTORIA STREET
719-587-1640
A Non-traditional School
Title I eligible, not participating.
Serves 76 students.
Student/teacher ratio: 13.3

Alamosa Colleges

Click school name for a detailed profile.

Adams State College

(List of All Colorado Colleges)

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