Page Contents for Alamosa, Colorado

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The Colorado state capital is Denver.
The population of Alamosa is approximately 8,679 (2006), 8780 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 3,215 (2000), 3426 (2010).
The amount of land area in Alamosa is 8.998 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Alamosa is 4.0 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 0 sq kilometers.
The distance from Alamosa to Washington DC is 1639 miles.
The distance to the Colorado state capital is 168 miles. (as the crow flies)
Alamosa is positioned 37.46 degrees north of the equator and 105.87 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Alamosa elevation is 7,543 feet above sea level.
Alamosa per capita income is $ 15,405 (2000).
Alamosa median income is $ 25,500 (2005).
The Alamosa median home price is $ 97,000 (2005).
Alamosa average annual precipitation is 7.6 inches peryear.
Alamosa average annual snowfall is 41.7 inches per year.
The average winter temperature is 14 degrees F.
The average summer temperature is 65 degrees F.

Location

in south-central Colorado in the San Luis Valley. It is about 102 miles from Pueblo and about 122 miles from Colorado Springs. Other nearby communities include Alamosa East, Mosca, Hooper, La Jara, Sanford, Monte Vista, Manassa and Romeo.

Alamosa is located on the Rio Grande River. The River begins in the San Juan Mountains and ultimately continues down to the Gulf of Mexico.

Here is a for Alamosa.
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Climate

moderate with nice summers and cold winters. There are about 350 days of sunshine each year with most of the precipitation falling from April until October. Thunderstorms are common during the summer months. Snow is generally light but during the middle of winter, it will stick on the ground for extended periods. Here is a current weather page for Alamosa.
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History & History Related Items

Though Native American cultures were present for thousands of years, the discovery of gold and silver in 1870 is what brought people and settlements to the area. Once here, they remained and began to farm and ranch. The coming of the railroad also increased the number of new settlers. Zebulon Pike explored the area in 1807 and was particularly interested in the Sand Dunes. The area wasn't really settled permanently until about the mid-1800's. In 1878, the new railroad made a stop near a grove of cottonwoods, leaving behind a group of new settlers and their things. The name, Alamosa, is Spanish for cottonwood grove. The new little settlement was named for the grove of trees. Soon more settlers came and tracks were put down spreading out in all directions from the town. Alamosa became a center for commerce and trade in the valley.

A history page for Alamosa and the San Luis Valley.
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The incorporation of Alamosa

12 August 1878

Attractions

For information about Alamosa, please contact the Alamosa Visitor Information Center at: (800) BLU-SKYS

Learn all about Alamosa

Alamosa/Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge Complex
US Fish and Wildlife Service
9383 El Rancho Lane
Alamosa, Colorado 81101
Phone: 719-589-4021

Colorado Alligator Farm
9162 County Road 9 North
Mosca, Colorado 81146 Phone: 719-378-2612

Great Sand Dunes National Monument
11500 Highway 150
Mosca, Co 81146
Phone: 719-378-2312

SLV Junction - The Valley's Home Page
A community bulletin board and classified ads for the San Luis Valley and surrounding areas.
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Alamosa City Government

City of Alamosa
425 4th St.
P.O. Box 419
Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: 719-589-2593

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Alamosa is the county seat of Alamosa County.

Alamosa Historical Events

2008, March 19
A Salmonella outbreak in the city water forced the Colorado Department of Public Health to place a bottled water only restriction in Alamosa. Test continue with residents being warned to restrict their water use from the tap. By April 11, the water supply was deemed safe for general use, though the source had not been found.

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1878, July 4
First passenger train arrived in Alamosa. This service continued until 1951.

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1878
Alamosa platted by Alexander Cameron Hunt who was the director of the Denver and Rio Grande Railway and also the former territorial governor of Colorado. Alamosa became known as the Queen City of the San Luis.

Alamosa Chamber

Alamosa Chamber of Commerce
300 Chamber Drive
Cole Park
Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: (719) 589-3681

Alamosa Organizations

Alamosa Chamber of Commerce
300 Chamber Drive
Cole Park
Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: (719) 589-3681

Alamosa Libraries

Southern Peaks Public Library
423 4th Street
Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: 719-589-6592

Alamosa Schools

Alamosa School District RE-11J
209 Victoria Ave.
Alamosa, CO

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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Adams State College
Alamosa, CO 81102
Phone: (719) 587-7011

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Trinidad State Junior College
1011 Main Street
Alamosa, CO 81101
Phone: (719) 589-7000 Alamosa

Miscellany

The population of Alamosa was:
1990 - 7,579
2000 - 7,960
2003 - 8,370
2006 - 8,679

The number of housing units was:
1990 - 2,874
2000 - 3,215

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Median age:
2000 - 27.7 years

Median household income:
2000 - $ 25,453
2005 - $ 25,500

Median house value:
2000 - $ 83,100
2005 - $ 97,000

Alamosa is located in the Mountain Time Zone and does participate in daylight savings time during a portion of the year.