Table of Contents

Rich History of Conejos County by Beverly Miller

Conejos County is in a broad, high mountain valley of south central Colorado. It has an area approximately 825,446 acre or 1,290 square miles. Roughly, half of the area is on the nearly level floor of the valley, where the average elevation is about 7,700 feet. The Western half of the area ranges from gently rolling to steep foothills and mountains that rise in elevation from about 7,600 feet to about 13,000 feet. Conejos County is situated between National Forest to the west, the Rio Grande River to the east, Rio Grande and Alamosa counties to the north, and the state of New Mexico to the south. Only about 34 percent of Conejos County is privately owned and the other 66 percent are National Forest, Bureau of Land Management (BLM) or State lands.

In 1848 Mexico ceded land which included the San Luis Valley to the United States. In 1851, part of Colorado including the San Luis Valley became a part of the Territory of New Mexico. When the territory of Colorado was created in 1861, the major part of the San Luis Valley was divided creating two Colorado Counties, Costilla County, taking in the eastern and northern part of the San Luis Valley, and Guadalupe County, which included the western part of the valley north to the Rio Grande. As part of the Colorado Territory, Guadalupe County was quickly renamed Conejos County. Today, Conejos County has become one of the five counties that make up the San Luis Valley.

Becoming a territory of Colorado was a stretch for the Spanish-American settlers. The settlers traditionally had strong family and cultural ties to Northern New Mexico, in particular, Taos and Santa Fe. The connection that la gente, (the people) in Conejos County has culturally with New Mexico its cousin and neighbor, still colors life in Conejos County today.

The settling of Conejos County began with the traders and trappers. They explored the San Luis Valley and traded with the Native Americans. Their exploration of the wilderness made them valuable scouts for both exploration and military expeditions. Then followed a group of Spanish speaking people who traveled into the San Luis Valley from Abique, New Mexico in 1850 and settled on the north bank of the Conejos River just below the spot where the town of Conejos now stands.

In 1854 Jose Maria Jaquez led a group of settlers to a location on the north side of the Conejos river. This settlement was called El Cedro Redondo. At the same time, Major Lafayette Head lead families from Abiquiu to a spot four miles down stream. The name of this settlement was Plaza de Guadalupe. The group from El Cedro Redondo decided to join forces with the settlers from Guadalupe. Guadalupe, near the present town of Conejos, became first settlement in Conejos County.

In 1861, when the land became part of Colorado, Guadalupe County was renamed Conejos County. The county acquired the new name because of the abundant rabbits in the area, (Conejos means rabbits in the Spanish language). Also, the settlement of Guadalupe lost its position as the seat of county government in 1863 to its new neighbor, Conejos. Conejos was established on the south side of the Conejos River. Soon a lovely church was built in Conejos. A big three-story courthouse built of rock, stood in Conejos and was in use until 1980 when it burned to the ground. One year to the day of the tragic fire, a new courthouse stood in the exact spot of the old one. It was dedicated that day in 1981. Conejos now consists of the new courthouse, post office, Menke Abstract Co., and several homes. Today, Conejos is still the county seat of Conejos County and home of Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church, "oldest church" in Colorado.
Although Guadalupe is considered the first established settlement, other villages such as Capulin sprouted up. Settlers from Ojo Caliente established it in 1867.

By 1870, there were scattering of villages along the rivers and waterways. In 1877, Mormons, or Members of the Latter Day Church, led by John Morgan came into Conejos County. They were from the Church's Southern Mission. They settled mainly in and around the Manassa and Sanford area. The give and take between the Catholic-Hispanic, and the Anglo-Mormon, makes up a big part of the story of Conejos County. Also to be considered in the story though is the ancient whisper of the Native American, the influences of the Presbyterians, Mennonites, Syrian merchants and Jewish business men, Japanese farmers, Swiss, English, Irish, and German farmers and ranchers. A part of this saga too is the ever-changing voice and perspective that the newcomer brings. And there is too, the unique outlook of those who remember their past and have come back home. Although the people of Conejos County come from various backgrounds, and have very different perspectives, what unites us, is the inherent wisdom that in the land lays our history, and in the land lies our hope for the future.

The Conejos Land Grant

"In 1742 a group of Spanish livestock producers, farmers, trappers and miners petitioned the Spanish crown for a land grant. The land was a high mountain valley surrounded by High Mountains the birthplace of the Rio Del Norte, today known as the Rio Grande and the San Luis Valley. After Mexico won its Independence from Spain: on February 8, 1833 four individuals; Jose Maria Martinez, Julian Gallegos, and Seledonio Valdez petitioned the Mexican Government for the lands along the Conejos River. The boundaries of the grant they petitioned were: the south, El Cerro De San Antonio; on the east, El Rio del Norte; on the west, La Sierra Montosa; and on the north, La Loma de La Garita. The hostile Navajo Indians never let them establish a permanent settlement. Hostile Navajo Indians chased them back to New Mexico many times. It took 10 years to finally establish a permanent settlement at Guadalupe. The first Church was built on higher ground in Conejos. In 1846, War broke out between Mexico and the United States. After the United States victory, the Conejos Land Grant became the territory of the U.S. The treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, Article VIII of that treaty stipulated, that it would honor property rights of all Mexicans in the newly acquired territory. The treaty was not honored."
-- Demetrio Valdez

Los Hermanos

 

 

Forklorico
In 1863, by their own count, Felipe and Jose Espinosa killed 32 settlers. After many futile efforts to apprehend the killers, not to mention a letter to governer Evans from the Espinosa's stating that "he (Evans) would be next" if they were not granted amnesty and 5000 acres in Conejos county, the U.S. Army called upon the frontiersman and bounty hunter Tom Tobin to use his tracking skills to find them and bring them in dead or alive. As with most stories on the verge of legend, the details are murky, the versions are many and opinions of the tale vary greatly. Felipe Espinosa claimed to have had a vision from the Virgin Mary telling him to kill 100 anglos for every member of his family lost during the Mexican-American War, a total of six including his parents. The brothers declared war against all anglos and in less than a year they had ambushed and killed twenty-two persons, mostly miners in the California Gulch region. Felipe's brother Jose was killed, but his place was taken by a cousin and their deadly vendetta continued as eight more victims fell before their guns.

A posse of miners set out to kill or capture them, but failed in the several attempts. Following the ambushing of a man and his wife on La Veta Pass, Colonel Sam Tappen, commanding officer at Ft. Garland, contacted Tom Tobin for help in stopping the Espinosa's reign of terror. The colonel insisted on providing a detachment of fifteen soldiers for additional support in the capture of the brothers and their band, Tobin left them in camp and went ahead, accompanied only by a young Mexican boy, whom he left behind when he actually located the band of killers. At this point historical accounts differ in some respects from Tobin's story and what was recorded of the event by records from Ft. Garland. Official records state the teamster ambushed on La Veta Pass escaped with his life and reached Ft. Garland to report the event.

Governor Evans offered a reward of $2,500 for the Espinosas, dead or alive; and that $500 subsequently was paid to Tobin by the Colorado territorial government, and $1,000 by the Colorado State government. This is also a point of contention. Although this claim still shorts Tolbin $1,000 of the reward promised. An interview taken on October 10, 1946 in Sanford Colorado, Kit Carson III, proprietor of the "Kit Carson's Trading Post" located in that same town here in the Valley, spoke of his noted grandfathers. His paternal grandfather was the famous scout and Indian fighter, Kit Carson; his maternal grandfather was Tom Tobin. The following are excerpts from that interview: "When arriving at Ft. Garland the Colonel, some of his officers and their wives had been out riding, an announcement was made that grandpa was there to see the Colonel, he was brought into a large room, where the officers and wives relaxing after their ride. The Colonel asked 'Any Luck, Tom' Grandpa said, 'So-so,' and he held the gunnysack upside down rolling the heads out on the floor, ladies where screaming, the officers and the Colonel even looked a little green. Grandpa finally got $400 reward and never saw the remaining amount of the original reward of $2,500.

When I was very young we lived at Ft. Garland in that room, grandpa said that was the Colonel's way of getting even for him rolling those heads out on that floor. The Governor gave him a buckskin coat that was lined with a red blanket, like one given to my Grandfather Carson, and the Army gave him a Henry rifle, a cousin has the coat and rifle in Durango Colorado last time I heard of them." To this day, many people in the Valley will describe Tobin as nothing more than a bounty hunter and the Espinosas as folk heroes. Others consider Tobin the folk hero and the Espinosas simply murderous outlaws. One thing remains clear, the Espinosa's exploits preceded the famous "Jack the Ripper" by five years, making them the worlds first documented serial killers.
---Rick Everett

The Society of Mutual Protection of United Workers, SPMDTU
La Sociedad Protection Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos (The Society of Mutual Protection of United Workers, SPMDTU), is the oldest Hispanic fraternal organization in the nation. The organization was founded by Celedonio Mondragon on November 26, 1900 at Mondragon's home in Antonito. SPMDTU grew into a multi-state organization of likeminded Hispanic men. The society was organized to protect its members, who were guaranteed a $1,000 insurance policy and funeral costs. Later, SPMDTU evolved into a fraternal organization for the Hispanic community. SPMDTU created a Concilio Superior to serve as the governing body. In order to house the organization, SPMDTU built a grand hall in Antonito. Built in 1926, the building was declared a National Historic Monument in 1995. SPMDTU is still an active and supportive organization today.

 

Towns & Villages

Antonito
Founded by the D&RGW Railroad in 1880, Antonito is located in the south central part of Conejos County, only 6 miles north of the New Mexico state line. It lies between the Conejos and San Antonio rivers at an elevation of 7,888 feet above sea level and is the gateway to the beautiful Conejos River canyon. Antonito became an incorporated town on November 2, 1889, and some of the leading merchants of nearby Conejos established their thriving businesses in the new town. George Riedel opened the first store in Antonito and the Colleton House became the town's first hotel. Antonito was first called San Antonio Junction. Later the name changed to Antonito, Spanish for "little Anthony", derived from the San Antonio Mountain and San Antonio River to the south of the community. Among the business firms in the town were the C.A. Moore and Wm. Barlow Star Livery and Feed Stable; and the Charles M. Sampson and Corlett Real Estate, loan and insurance office. The Palace Hotel, owned and operated by E.L. Meyers, advertised "Special Attention to Transients." George Riedel purchased wool, hides, pelts and produce. Dr. Dryden Johnson served both as the town physician-surgeon, while the postmistress was Josephine Riley. On the town board in 1892 were E.L. Meyers, mayor; S.W. Hatch, G.J. Koch, F.H. Joyce, F.B. Hatfield, Wm. Barlow and F.D. Potthoff, trustees. These community leaders were major contributors for the growth and progress of the town. When the railroad built south from Alamosa, company officials failed to get the desired concessions at the old town of Conejos, so they laid out a site of their own to the southeast. The first train pulled into Antonito the evening of March 27, 1880, and since that time the town has been a shipping center in the south end of the San Luis Valley. For many years, it was the junction of the two branches of the railroad, one west over Cumbres Pass into the San Juan country and Durango, the other into the ancient capital of Santa Fe, New Mexico. In the late 1930's, the south branch discontinued. Today, the D&RGW Railroad runs a freight train from the north and hauls cars loaded with perlite out of the area.

Conejos Canyon
The residents of Conejos County refer to the area as, "Colorado's best kept secret". The area covers a large portion of the western border of Conejos County. Conejos Canyon features some of the most Spectacular Mountain scenery in Colorado. In the 1880's, gold and silver was discovered in the high San Juan Mountain Valley. For a few summers, modest amounts of the ore was packed out. Platoro was the only real mining camp in the history of Conejos County. As in the past, today, people travel to the Canyon to hunt, fish and to be surrounded by it's beauty.

La Jara
In 1880, the D&RG railroad, in its southward movement towards New Mexico, came to the La Jara Creek. At this point, a location halfway between Alamosa and Antonito, the railroad built a water tank and a small "section house" and a sidetrack or siding. Originally this location was called "The Tank". Foreseeing the advantage of a town by the railroad, in 1883 a group of enterprising men made plans for the establishment of a post office and a town. They organized the La Jara Town Company and on April 18, 1884, the La Jara Town Company purchased land surrounding "The Tank" from the state of Colorado. On July 15, 1884, a post office called La Jara station was established. The town of La Jara took it's name from a Spanish settlement just down stream. Albert T. Clark became the first postmaster at La Jara. D.R. Smith, a merchant in Alamosa, built the first store, D.R. Smith General Merchandise, on the northwest corner of what is the present day Hometown Food Market's parking lot. From 1888 to 1890, a building boom ensued. By 1891, La Jara had developed into a small town full of activity. Today, the town of La Jara is home to the The Conejos County Hospital, and The Conejos County Library and the county's only newspaper, the Conejos County Citizen.

Los Sauces


Manassa
A group of Mormon pioneers arrived in Pueblo, Colorado. They traveled under the direction of leaders from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. The earlier settlers, because of their belief in the "Book of Mormon", called them Mormons. The bad weather forced them to remain in Pueblo for one winter season. When spring arrived, they began their exodus into the San Luis Valley and settled in Los Cerritos where a number of Spanish and Indian families were living. The Mormon pioneers were not adequately prepared to endure the cold weather, epidemics, hunger, and hardships of frontier life. The Spanish people of Los Cerritos realized they would have to help the Mormons. They were given food, teams of horses, mules, and cows. The horses and mules were used to cultivate the fields and the cows provided milk for their families. They would not have survived without help from the small community. Los Cerritos welcomed them into their homes, while their own pioneer homes were built. The pioneers began building a short distance to the northwest of Los Cerritos. They plotted out an area one-mile square with 64 ten-acre blocks and each block was then divided into four lots. The town was called Manassa after the biblical name, Manasseh.

Many residents of Manassa still operate farms and ranches that have been in their families for generations. They celebrate Pioneer Days every year around July 24, honoring the anniversary of the Mormon pioneers' arrival to the Salt Lake Valley, Utah. The celebration includes two days of parades, barbecues, rodeos, carnival rides, and dances. It is a fun time for all and a "Homecoming" for those who left Manassa and their families. Manassa is very proud of its pioneer heritage and particularly proud of the "Manassa Mauler". Jack Dempsey was buried in a quiet New York City Cemetery on Saturday June 4, 1983. He will always be remembered as one of the world's greatest sports giants in boxing history.

Romeo
The community was established in 1889 and named "Sunflower" because of the abundant sunflowers. In 1901, a Denver developer mapped out Sunflower and renamed it Romero. Another town already had the Spanish name Romero, so the second "r" was dropped and changed to Romeo. The Romeo State Bank, located in the Colonial Hotel Building was established in1920. The Culler Store, Weddington Store, and the Romeo Store Company made up part of the main area of the town. Most of the businesses in Romeo catered to farmers and ranchers. Just outside of Romeo on 285 North is a huge plaque honoring war veterans from the area.

Sanford
The site of Sanford was surveyed in the fall of 1854 and named in honor of Silas Sanford Smith. He served as the first president of the San Luis Stake of Zion, in Conejos County. The road between La Jara and Sanford was surveyed and improvements to the road were completed in 1935. Sanford holds a Pioneer Day Celebration every July. A parade with beautiful floats, made by local church members, is the highlight of the celebration. A grand ball in the evening ends the celebration. The residents enjoy the quiet life of a farming community. Students from the area enjoy the public school in the town that accommodates all grades from first through twelfth.

Capulin
Capulin Capulin means chokecherry in Spanish is so named because of the chokecherry bushs that grew around the home of Aniceto Valdez. It is one of the oldest settlements in the State of Colorado. Whose origins date back to 1832 when land had been partitioned off, recorded and dated in Taos, New Mexico. The original settlers established ranches and small communities as far north as La Loma (Del Norte) and La Garita, all part of Conejos County including the settlement of Capulin. They had close ties to Taos and Santa Fe, NM.

Conejos County became one of 17 territorial counties in Colorado to become a seat of government. Capulin in 1876 became the "first permanent settlement" by Spanish families led by Hipolito Romero. Spanish settlers from Ojo Caliente traveled until they came to a clearing surrounded by two rivers and established a new settlement. The two rivers were so named because of the trees and rock found along the river banks. Rio La Jara meaning river of cistus or river of rose rock, Rio Alamosa meaning river of cottonwood trees. Even today outcropping of jasper and other rose colored rocks can be found along the small rivers edges, and cottonwood is prolific along the Alamosa River.

Much of the Native American Spanish art can be seen through the work of the renowned artist Eppie Archuleta. Eppie is of Native American and Spanish descent and a native of Capulin. She is best know for her weavings of fine wool into beautiful blankets that drape the homes and galleries of the wealthy and has the distinction of having one of her most beautiful works represented at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington D.C. She is a National Heritage Award Winner and the only Colorado citizen honored to hold this distinction.

There were a few Jewish and Syrian families that moved to Capulin while others of Syrian, Swiss, English, French, and Irish descent settled in other parts of the County. The Spanish settlement became a booming center of trade for its local citizens and area ranchers and farmers. Much of the supplies were probably bought or traded (bartered) for farming and ranching goods, such as wool from sheep for weaving, fresh meat, butter, milk, cows, horses, sheep, etc. Mining along the Conejos Canyon probably contributed to goods and supplies purchased from an exchange of gold and silver. To liven things up the town served as an entertainment vicinity with a dance hall that probably featured live Mariachi music and as pop culture changed it included renditions of big band, rock, and the occasional Tex-Mex. Present day Capulin has undergone tremendous changes since the early beginnings of Hipolito Romero and his group of fledgling families. There is a post office located in the center of the main thourgh fare, Mauloff's Store on the south side of the main thourgh fare, and the St. Josseph's Catholic Church south of the store. Paved roads replaced the hard dirt roads, electricity replaced bees wax candles or kerosene lamps, and more modern homes replaced the adobe hacienda or modest adobe home. At present there are still remnants of that early Spanish style, abandoned adobe buildings and deteriating cemetery mark the past but continues to serve as a reminder of its proud past.

The Villages of Conejos County
The villages of San Antonio and Ortiz are located approximately one mile from the New Mexico State line. The original settlers came here from the New Mexico Territory in the 1850's and brought their sheep with them. The village of Ortiz was once a sheep ranching center. During the 1880's, the village had a population of 500 people. Northern New Mexicans settled the villages of San Rafael, Mogote and Las Mesitas between 1854 and 1856 along the Conejos River. The village of San Rafael is sometimes called Paisaje. The name has undergone several name changes, but Paisaje is the name seen on most maps. The San Rafael Presbyterian Church, built in 1895, represents a religious clash between Anglo and Hispanic missionaries. The church combines Hispanic adobe and Anglo church building styles. Like San Rafael, Mogote has had a name change; it was once called San Juan. People from the Chama Valley of Northern New Mexico established homes there and the place became a center for raising sheep.

The village of Las Mesitas is just across the river from Mogote. Located in the center of Las Mesitas Is the San Isadore Church, with its twin towers slightly tilted. The church was destroyed by fire in 1975, only the skeleton of the church remains today. Cañon, up the river, on the Mogote side, was a community of settlers with small farms. This area was sheep country, known for its fine weavers.

Villages of the Lower Conejos
The village of Guadalupe was evacuated and disappeared after a flood swept the area. The villagers moved to higher ground, it has since been re-established. Today, it has a population of approximately 39 people. Servilleta was located two miles down the river from Guadalupe. The Servilleta Ditch was one of the earliest ditches dug to send Conejos River water to farmland and is still in existence. Espinosa was one of the first settlements on the lower reaches of the river; adobe walls of once existing buildings can still be seen. Not far away, the village of La Isla was located. Its schoolhouse, still standing, was in use up until the 1950's. Little remains of Los Cerritos, a close neighbor of Espinosa. Only the foundation of a flourmill remains. One of the most beautiful cemeteries of the San Luis Valley overlooks the place were Los Cerritos once stood.

Lobatos, three miles east of Antonio, was first called Cenicero. Members of the Penitente Brotherhood, who first settled there, built the first morada (meeting hall) in the San Luis Valley. Mormon Colonies Immigrants from Utah settled Richfield, located east of the town of Sanford, in 1881. The village of Richfield was a collection of houses and farm buildings clustered around a little church made from red brick. Morgan, northwest of La Jara, was a farming district and not a village. Fox Creek is located at the mouth of the Conejos Canyon and was settled by Mormon pioneers during the time Sanford was settled. Bountiful, located between La Jara and Romeo, was plotted in 1907 on land carved from the E.K. Ball farm. Mr. Ball donated the land for the 160-acre town site. Foothill Villages El Centro, a couple of miles west of Capulin, is at the south end of the "Gunbarrel", a highway that shoots straight through three San Luis Valley Counties. A few families from Pojuaque, New Mexico established the village of Gomez in 1868. The Gomez Cemetery is all that remains of the small community.

Mining Camps
Platoro is located 45 miles up the Conejos Canyon from Antonito. The name Platoro is derived from combining the Spanish words for silver (plata) and gold (oro). Gold and silver was discovered in this high San Juan Mountain valley in the late 1880's and for a few summers, modest amounts of ore were packed out. There were mini-booms in 1913 and 1916, but it was not until 1959 that Alfred Hoyle invested in Platoro. He re-opened the Mammoth Mine and built a new mill to process its ore. The mining village of Stunner, now a ghost town, is located five miles from Platoro in Alamosa Canyon. Railroad Settlements Osier, located 38 miles West of Antonito, serves a meal stop for passenger trains crossing Cumbres Pass. The village of Cumbres is the highest settlement in Conejos County at an elevation of 10,015 feet. Despite severe winters, railroaders and their families inhabited Cumbres year round.

Climate

In winter, the average temperature is 21.6 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average daily minimum temperature is 4 degrees. In summer, the average temperature is 61.4 degrees, and the average maximum temperature is 79.6 degrees.

Seventy-one percent of the annual precipitation falls in the months of April through September. Average seasonal snowfall is 28 inches. The average relative humidity in mid afternoon in spring is less than 35 percent; during the rest of the year, it is about 45 percent. The percentage of possible sunshine is 77 in summer and 73 in winter.

Natural Resources
Soil and water are the most important natural resources of the area. Sheep and cattle that graze the rangeland, crops that grow on irrigated farm and timber that are harvested from the forests are marketable products on the soil. Irrigation water for the area is obtained from the Rio Grande and Conejos Rivers, the Alamosa and La Jara Creeks and irrigation wells. Because of the dry climate, farming is not possible without the irrigation water.

Conejos County Artists & Craftspeople

Artist	Location	Product
Eppie Archuleta	Capulin	Rio Grande Weaving
Tom Bagwell	Mannassa 719-843-5231	Jewelry
Bristle Cone Pine, Inc.	Romeo 719-843-9211	Handcrafted Jewelry Boxes, Jars & Urns
Vincente & Rose Gonzales	Manassa 719-843-5778	6th generation Rio Grande Weaving
Dean Ross	La Jara 719-274-4069	Wood Carvings
Charles Ewing	Antonito 719-376-5832	Fine Art Oil & Watercolor Paintings
Jim Gilmore	Conejos Canyone 719-589-3456	Wildlife Sculpture
Fred Haberlein	Fox Creek	Murals
Rick Howell	Mogote	Paintings
Rusty Howsman	Manassa 719-843-5027	Clay Board Painting
June McDaniel	La Jara	Artist
Marvin Muniz	Manassa 719-843-5241	Watercolor/Oils
Silver Fox Turquoise & Jewelry, Inc.	Manassa 719-843-5241	Silver & Platinum Jewelry and Pewter

Half Way Between La Jara and Capulin

by Beverly Miller

Born under a May sky--into the green-newly green world to a family and to a place half way between La Jara and Capulin Colorado.

My parents from two different ways of life. My mother's people, with an old, rich history brought from Spain--a strong determined people-working the land, tending the sheep, praying to God. Also there were words and music. A sense of a past, and strong family bonds.

My Dad's parents, from the Midwest, traveling over much land to Nebraska finally settling in La Jara.

Land is the canvas and the ever-changing seasons, spring, summer, fall, winter, are the colors used to create the story of my family.

Growing up, spring brought February, with the warming of the land--the smell of the earth--the sounds of the sheep waiting to bring forth their young--I remember the pleasure I got when I would get of the school bus in the afternoon and smell that smell. It was the smell, that something was about to happen, winter was on it's way out. It was exciting, tingling. Inside the house, there was the smell of bread just out of the oven.

March would bring the lambs. There was a maternity ward set up in the shed where the ewes gave birth. After the birth the proud mother pranced around her young one as if to say, "This one is mine."

The kitchen became the intensive care unit for the weak ones that need more warmth, milk and attention.

In April the lambs played, they would, in a group. kick up their heels and jumping sideways they would run from one end of the field to the other end of the field.

When May came, there was planting to be done. The melting ice and the snow came down for the mountains, rivers ran high, ditches ran full, and the farmers began to irrigate their fields. The sheep had to be taken off the land and taken to the high mountains in New Mexico.

My brothers and sister and I would get to go in June with my folks, to check up on the herder and the sheep camp. Before we could start out, my dad would stop by neighbors and relatives homes to get lists of items they wanted my dad to take up to their herder. All eight of us would be packed into a green 1952 Chevy pickup. Four or five of us would be packed up with sleeping gear and supplies in the back and the youngest one would ride in the front with Mom and Dad. In the back, there was so many supplies and sleeping gear. it was a torture. There would be elbows digging into each other's ribs--some harsh words, tears. My sister and I, being the oldest, would try to create some order, dry some tears. We would eventually start out, but when we got to Antonito, it would take what seemed hours for my dad to buy all the supplies.

But after all the errands were done, the groceries bought for the sheep-herder, out of the Valley we would go, and the gradual climb into the mountains would start.

Once off the highway and on to bumpy dirt roads--the cool mountain air would take over. We would go towards the family cabin. Along the way we would stop to talk to relatives, sheep-herders and deliver the supplies. The mountains were white with sheep.

Finally arriving at the family cabin, we would be like young colts let out of a corral. We jumped out of the truck, and ran to our own secret place in the mountains.

Late summer, the smell of cut hay would delight our senses. The fields were green and there was a slowing of time. Everything seem to be overgrown.

This was the time to watch afternoon movies on television or jump into the river.

In the fall, the garden was harvested, food was either canned or frozen for the winter. Trucks would stop with peaches and pears to sell. My mom bought enough fruit to can. Fruit was a treat, so what luscious peach or pear that did not get canned, got eaten. Once in awhile we would be a little green with having eaten so much fruit.

The most enjoyable part of the fall was going to New Mexico with My mom, grandmother, sister and aunts for green chili and apples. I found it fascinating to drive up to a little home in Chamita and find a distant relative. There would be conversation in Spanish, good-byes and we would come home with our trunck filled with apples and chili.

I have the picture in my mind of my dad roasting the green chili on an old wood stove in the back yard. Most often he had a little granddaughter by his side helping out.

Fall brought blue, blue, skies the sounds of geese flying over, patches of yellow and orange in the distant mountains.

Winter crept in. The leaves would be less and less on the trees, till one morning the peaks of the mountains were white, the air cold, and the leaves gone.

The main job of winter was to keep warm, keep the stoves going, and hope some vehicle would start on a -30 degree morning. It was so cold, your breath stayed in the air. On a cold cold morning, the landscape was decorated with frosted power line, and if you listened closely, you often could hear a lone neighbor's car cranking over and over trying to come alive.

When I was young, the seasons seemed so predictable. They came and went like clock work. What mother nature seemed to do so naturally and easily when I was young, it's not a given anymore. Old cottonwood groves are dying for lack of water. So in the spring when I see a young cottonwood new leaves being touched by sunlight, I say, "Thank you" And when I hear the river running by my home, I breathe a sigh of relief. Two years ago, there was so little snow in the mountains, the river didn't run . So now, when a good snow or rain comes down, it's cause me to smile big.

Also, I don't take for granted that my family's story is still continuing. That there are still bountiful gardens being grown and food being preserved for winter. Hay being produced in the summer, and instead of lambs, calves are born in the spring. The biggest gift of all is there are young ones growing up here on the land who will have their own memories, and stories, that they will pass on to their children. And for my family that lives away mom's, grandma's is still home. They bring love gifts to their family, and leave with a bounty of homemade bread, fresh produce, meat and their hearts and souls renewed. I feel that my Dad, brother, cousin, uncle, grandparents, great-grandparents who have passed on, would be happy to see that their legacy lives on.

To me, living between La Jara and Capulin is symbolic. The influence from my dad's side came from La Jara where my grandparents lived. The influence from my mom's side came from Capulin, where the church is. The two sides meet on the land family has lived on for five generations, and this is home.

Business

Resources for Existing and Start-up Businesses

The Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at Adams State College provides free, confidential counseling to existing businesses and potential business owners. The center is part of a nationwide network of centers that are funded by the Small Business Administration. SBDC Counselors guide people throughout the business planning process and help' them find the best lending source for their particular business needs. Throughout the SBDC network, counselors are able to answer all sorts of business questions related to SBDC network, marketing, licensing, business organization, cash flow, doing business with the government, etc. The SBDC at Adams State College serves the entire San Luis Valley and counselors often meet business people at their business or local library for their convenience.

The SBDC, through a partnership with SLV Resource Development Group, sponsors the Leading Edge, a twelve-week intensive business-training course. Many successful business owners in the San Luis Valley have taken this course that guides the individual through every aspect of owning and operating a business. This statewide program is offered in the Valley at a fraction of what it costs through local sponsorship.

The SBDC also hosts and sponsors workshops. These workshops are based on the needs of the local business owners. SBDC clients are notified of these workshops through direct mailings and postings on the SBDC website. Prior held workshops include Business Taxes, Financial Check-Up, Marketing Made Easy, etc. Contact the SBDC for an appointment: 719-587-7372 or visit the center's website at http://sbdc.adams.edu

San Luis Valley Development Resources Group
SLV DRG is an economic and community development organization. SLV DRG assists projects that have potential for development and provide economic benefits for the region. DRG has developed a range of tools needed to assist existing or new start businesses. They include a Revolving Loan Fund, Enterprise Zone tax benefits, all types of statistical information, economic reports and forecasts, and a wide range of financial and grant information." The RLF provides low interest (usually prime) gap financing loans for business expansion, new startups, and retention's. Businesses must be able to provide permanent jobs in the assisted projects and fill a majority of the positions with low or moderate-income persons. Contact the SLV DRG at 719 589-6099 or visit the group's website at http://www.slvdrg.org

The Society of Mutual Protection of United Workers, SPMDTU Celedonio Mondragon is the honored and revered founder of "La Sociedad Protecion Mutua de Trabajadores Unidos" (SPMDTU), the oldest Hispanic fraternal organization in the nation. The organization was founded on November 26, 1900 at Mondragon's home in Antonito and grew into a multi-state organization of likeminded Hispanic men. The society was organized to protect its members, who were guaranteed a $1,000 insurance policy and funeral costs. Later, SPMDTU evolved into a fraternal organization for the Hispanic community. SPMDTU created a Concilio Superior to serve as the government body. In order to house the organization, SPMDTU built a grand hall in Antonito. Built in 1926, the building was declared a National Historic Monument in 1995. -- James Shea

Business Directory

Films Produced in Conejos County
Many movies have been filmed on location in Conejos County and the town of Antonito including filming of the scenic Cumbres & Toltec train ride. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets along the valley floor and mountain vistas provide perfect background settings for Hollywood filmmakers. Without a doubt Lucasfilm Ltd.'s production of "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" is one of the most famous movies to have been filmed here. The industry studio names include: Columbia Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Stik Int'l, CBS Productions, Lucasfilm Ltd., Earp Productions, Scenic Ltd. Productions, Pritchard Productions, and TNN. Gene Hackman, Candace Bergen, Harrison Ford, Shawn Connery, Kevin Costner, and Dennis Quaid to name a few have starred in the many films that have entertained movie goers.

Columbia Pictures starring Gene Hackman and Candace Bergen filmed "Bite the Bullet" in 1975 in Conejos County and the Cumbres & Toltec. Richard Lester directed "Butch and Sundance, The Early Years" in 1978, 20th Century Fox. Stik Int'l filmed Proof of the Wild in 1978. CBS Productions filmed in 1988 "Where the Hell's That Gold?" Burt Kennedy director. Oscar Award Winner Steven Spielberg directed "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade" in 1988 starring Harrison Ford and Shawn Connery, Lucasfilm Ltd. In 1993 "Wyatt Earp" was filmed and directed by Lawrence Kasdan starring Kevin Costner, Gene Hackman and Dennis Quaid; Earp Productions. Other films of less notoriety: "Stock Footage", Scenic Ltd. Productions and "Gary Allen Music Video", Pritchard Productions.

http://sbdc.adams.edu/film_history.htm

Education
Adams State College was named in honor of state senator William H. Adams, who provided the primary push to establish a college in Alamosa. It is reported that Adams began his work as far back as the late 1800's, but did not win the support of the state legislature until the early 1920s. Construction began in 1925 on a sixty-one acre site. The original brick building still stands (Richardson Hall). On June 15,1925 Adams State Normal School opened instruction offering Bachelor of Arts degree and Life Certificates for teacher education. That year the student body consisted of thirteen students and three faculty members. Casa Del Sol, built in 1929, is the first housing unit built on campus for faculty. The President's home was built in1931and Rex Gym in 1939. Student housing opened in 1936 with the completion of Kit Carson Hall for men and Casa Bonita Hall for women. The majority of the thirty-one buildings were built between the late 1950s and the early 1970s. ASC now enrolls about 2,200 students of numerous faiths, from 38 states and 11 countries. Classes are small and taught by 100 full-time faculty members; 71 percent hold the highest degree in their field of study. The entire faculty serves as student advisors; ratio is 18:1. ASC Program Council charters over 40 student clubs and organizations. Throughout its 70-year history, Adams State College has striven to provide its students with excellence in education. ASC has proven that "quality education with a personal touch" is more than a motto - it is a commitment. Visit ASC's website at http://www.adams.edu for class schedules and college activities.

Trinidad State Junior College / SLV Educational Center
Trinidad State Junior College (TSJC) is the oldest two-year college in Colorado. The main campus is in the city of Trinidad while the sister campus is located in Alamosa. The North Central Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools accredit the San Luis Valley campus. TSJC's mission is to enhance and enrich the academic experience and provide students with opportunities to participate fully in extra-curricular and co-curricular activities and programs. TSJC provides Associate Degrees in Applied Science and Certificates of Completion in the following areas: Aquaculture, Business, CISCO, Certified Network Associate Diesel Engine Mechanics, Certified Nursing. The Valley Campus is located at 1011 Main St. in Alamosa. TSJC's telephone number is 800-411-8382, or visit TSJC's website at www.trinidadstate.edu/valleycampus

North Conejos School District RE-1J
The mission is to provide the opportunity for each student to reach his/her full potential and provide leadership that has a vision of the future and places the welfare of the students first in each decision. North Conejos School District is fully accredited from the Colorado Department of Education. The District serves the rural towns of Manassa, Romeo, Capulin, and La Jara. Schools within the district are K-12: Manassa Elementary School, La Jara Elementary, La Jara Second Chance School, Centauri Middle School, and Centauri High School. Manassa Elementary School Manassa Elementary was awarded the prestigious Title I Distinguished School Award and the "Blue Ribbon Status" based on high academic student achievement. It was one of five schools from the state of Colorado to be awarded "Blue Ribbon Status" from the United States Department of Education. Kindergartens through fifth grade classes are held at the school. It is located at 200 South 5th Street, Manassa 81141, telephone: 719-843-5277.

La Jara Elementary School
La Jara Elementary was awarded the Governor's Distinguished Improvement Award for distinguished academic improvement. Kindergartens through fifth grade classes are held at the school. Located at 214 Poplar Street, La Jara 81140, telephone: 719-274-5791. La Jara Second Chance School Located at 104 Spruce Street, La Jara 81140. Centauri Middle School Centauri Middle School participates in Knowledge Bowl, Science Fair, and Science Olympiad as well as a strong athletic program. Students enrolled participate based on outstanding academic achievement. The students have advanced to regional competition at Adams State College for Science Fair and advanced to state competition at Colorado School of Mines. They also participated and advanced to state competition for Science Olympiad at Colorado State University in Fort Collins. It is located at 17891 State Highway 285, La Jara 81140, telephone: 719-274-4301.

Centauri High School
Centauri High School home of the Centauri Falcons is a four-year public high school that prepares students for two to four year post-graduate studies and technical or vocational trade schools. It is fully accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Approximately sixty-five percent of students receive scholarships for outstanding academic achievements and demonstration of leadership potential. The graduation rate is over eighty- five percent while the drop out rate averages one-half of a percent, 1.2 percent lower than state drop out rates that average 1.7 percent. Other programs that are offered at Centauri High School are designed to enhance the educational opportunities for students wanting to pursue more than a high school diploma. Certified Nurse Aide Program prepares students in the medical profession through the Trinidad Jr. College program. Extended Studies from Adams State College gives students an opportunity to earn college credits for the work they do at Centauri High School. Early Childhood Education, Automotive, and other vocational programs are designed to facilitate student-enhanced education. Centauri High School is the only school in the San Luis Valley that has a federally funded program called GEAR UP. GEAR UP mission statement is to increase support and opportunities for students to have access to education beyond High School. It is located at 17891 State Highway 285, La Jara, 81140, telephone: 719-274-5178.

South Conejos School District
The South Conejos School District is located in the rural town of Antonito and is a K-12 school district. There are three schools in the district: Antonito High School, Antonito Junior High School, and Guadalupe Elementary School. The high school was originally built in the 1930's and administered and instructed by Catholic Nuns. In the 1960's enrollment reached one thousand students. The reshuffling of demographics has student enrollment down to three hundred fifty students. Reasons for the reshuffling: parents and students leaving the district to find employment.

Antonito High School
Antonito boasts a ninety-eight percent graduate rate and thirty percent of those students go on to post-graduate school. Ninety-eight percent of the student body is Hispanic. They are a Division 2-A school and feature a successful athletic program. Wrestling, track, cross-country, and baseball are among the athletic programs that student athletes excel. Danz" is a high-spirited, athletic sponsored dance team that received a state championship trophy representing the Antonito Trojans student body. The high school students can participate in a college credit program from Adams State College and Trinidad State Jr. College. Trinidad State brings instructors to Antonito High School to teach and train in an accredited nursing course. To participate in the nursing program students do not have to be enrolled in the high school. School listings: Antonito Jr. - Sr. High School, 620 Pine, PO Box 398, Antonito, 81120, telephone: 719-376-5468. Guadalupe Elementary School, 900 W. 8th Avenue, PO Box 398, Antonito, 81120, telephone: 719-376-5407.

Sanford School District
Sanford School District is an academically oriented school with a zero drop out rate ratio. It is the only district in Conejos County where students PK-12 are combined in one building. One hundred percent of the seniors graduated. Approximately seventy percent of the high school is comprised of LDS students that upon graduation go to missions. At least twenty-five percent of the seniors go onto post-graduate studies upon graduation. The High School features an outstanding athletic program as well as a strong academic program that involves Adams State College and Trinidad State Jr. College. The Sanford Indians have had past state championships in basketball. Advanced placement college courses are instructed with the partnership of Adams State College. Vocational outreach programs are offered to the student with the cooperation and instruction of Trinidad State Jr. College. Located in the rural town of Sanford. Sanford PK-12 address is PO Box 39, Sanford, CO 81151, telephone: 719-274-5167.

Government
Conejos County has three county commissioners as directors of the county government. The residents of Conejos County elect each county commissioner to four-year terms. The Board regularly meets on the first Thursday of each month at the County Courthouse located at 6683 County Rd. 13, Conejos. All meetings are open to the public. Contact number is 376-5654. Also elected by their constituents are the County Assessor, County Clerk, County Coroner, County Treasurer and County Sheriff, County Surveyor. All of these offices are located at the County Courthouse also. The County Assessor is responsible for discovering, listing, classifying and valuing all property within Conejos County. Property owners receive Notice of Valuations from this office showing what your property value is for the current tax year. 376-5585 The County Clerk is responsible for issuing license plates, recording records for property within the county, conducting elections, and voter registration. 376-5422 The County Treasurer is responsible for collecting taxes for the county and any towns or other special districts within the county. The County Treasurer is also the Public Trustee, which handles foreclosure sales. 376-5919 Land Use and Planning is an important part of Conejos County. If you plan to build or buy any property within Conejos County you may want to check with this office for regulations regarding land use before doing so. 376-2014

Conejos County is composed of many small towns and villages. A mayor, a town clerk, and a town board administer each incorporated town within the county. The five incorporated towns include Antonito, La Jara, Manassa, Romeo and Sanford. Regularly scheduled meetings for the incorporated towns are as follows:
Antonito: 1st Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m., 307 Main St.
La Jara: 2nd Thursday of each month at 7:00 p.m., 221 Broadway
Manassa: 3rd Thursday of each month, 401 Main St.
Romeo: Last Monday of each month, 149 2nd Ave.
Sanford: 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m., 390 Greenleaf St.

Other pertinent Government offices are:
County & District Court - County Courthouse-6683 Co. Rd. 13, Conejos 376-5465
Conejos County Department of Social Services - County Courthouse-6683 Co. Rd. 13 376-5455 Conejos County Nursing Services - 19023 S. U.S. Hwy 285, La Jara 274-4307
Conejos County Library - 17705 U.S. Hwy 285, La Jara 274-5858
Conejos County Veterans Officer - 17705 U.S. Hwy 285, La Jara 274-5097
Colorado State University Extension Service - 17705 U.S. Hwy 285, La Jara 274-5200

Farming & Ranching
Conejos County has a "Right to Farm" regulation. This means Conejos County is an Agricultural and Ranching community and will remain this way. The rural areas of Conejos County may be open and spacious, but they are intensively used for agriculture. Persons moving into a rural area must recognize there are drawbacks, conflicts with long-standing agricultural practices and lower levels of service than in towns. The agricultural users of the land are not expected to change their long established agricultural practices to accommodate the intrusions of urban users into a rural area. Agricultural activities may generate off-site impacts, including noise from tractors and equipment, dust form fieldwork, harvest times, and animal pens. Odors can be expected from animal confinement, silage and manure, and smoke from ditch burning. Pesticides and fertilizers are also used in fields, including the use of aerial spraying.


Best Practices
Best Management Practices for Agricultural Chemical Handling, Mixing, and Storage Storage and handling of pesticides and fertilizers in their concentrated form poses the highest potential risk to surface or ground water from agricultural chemicals. Facilities for storage and handling of these products should be properly designed, sited, and managed. Colorado law (SB 90-126) requires operations handling large volumes of agricultural chemicals to comply with containment regulations. Operations who fall below the thresholds for mandatory containment should observe best management practices (BMPs) for handling these concentrated products.

The ideal facility provides: · Separate storage areas for pesticide and fertilizer, stored indoors. · Secondary containment of the stored products. · A safe mixing and loading area away from water resources. · Worker protection features, such as showers, first aid, and spill clean-up kits. The ideal management: · Minimizes the amount of chemicals stored and handled · Reduces rinsate, container, and product waste · Maintains good records of all chemical use Pesticide and Fertilizer Storage

Plan your storage facilities as a secured, single use area, separate from other activities and storage (feed, seed and fuel). Design the storage area to protect pesticides and fertilizers from possible theft, unauthorized use by untrained personnel, and temperature extremes. Federal law requires that concentrated pesticide should be stored in a secured area. Therefore, outdoor storage containers should be located within a permanently fenced area. Be sure to post warning signs near each entrance to the storage facility. In most cases, pesticides and fertilizer should be stored separately to minimize the possibility of cross contamination of hazardous waste and in case of fire or other disasters. Small operations can avoid the need for multiple storage areas by constructing separate containment for pesticide and fertilizer within the same structure. The cost of these preventive measures is far less than the potential costs of a cleanup or lawsuit.

Secondary Containment
Secondary containment is essentially a back-up system built around primary pesticide and fertilizer storage to capture products that may escape due to leaks or spills. Secondary containment protects the environment from accidental leaks and spills, preventing spills from entering the soil and surface or ground water. Acceptable Containment Methods and Strategies · Minimize volume and duration of pesticide stored on-site · Double tanks for small volumes · Concrete floor and walls · Concrete curbed areas surrounding small volume storage · Steel floors and walls · Fiberglass or plastic walls and floors · Synthetic liners over concrete or composition walls · Approved portable synthetic containment units Mixing/Loading Pads require that the capacity of the containment be 110% of the volume of the largest container when protected from precipitation, or 125% of the largest container when unprotected from precipitation.

Mixing and Loading Facilities
The areas where pesticides and fertilizers are mixed or loaded are usually vulnerable when contamination spills happen. Unfortunately, it has been common procedure to mix and load chemicals at a single, unprotected location with little thought given to surface or ground water proximity. Business operators can be liable for cleanup of these contaminated sites, even after selling the property.

Facilities Maintenance
A regular maintenance routine can extend the life of pesticides and fertilizer storage, containment, mixing, and loading facilities. Inspect the facility on a seasonal basis to stay ahead of maintenance requirements. Preventative maintenance can minimize factors that cause deterioration, and prevent small problems from becoming large ones. Good housekeeping procedures are also important. Cleaning up fertilizer or pesticide spills promptly will prolong the life of the structure. Keeping the sump, pipes, tanks, and fittings clean and free of corrosion is also important. Waste Management Dealers, commercial applicators, and farmers who handle agricultural chemicals must contend with the proper disposal of rinsate, empty containers, and other waste. To minimize waste at the agricultural chemical handling site: · Purchase only the amount of chemical needed for each season. · Return unused chemicals to avoid over-winter storage. · Mix only the precise amount of chemical needed for the immediate job. · Calibrate sprayers properly so the application rate is correct. · Use rinsate as make-up water for the next spray batch. Be sure rinsate water is compatible with chemical. · Use mini-bulk and two-way containers to eliminate container waste. · Mix chemicals and clean equipment at the application site to reduce rinsate water. · Recycle empty pesticide containers whenever possible. · Use direct injection spray systems and mini-bulk containers to reduce pesticide waste. · Roof mixing pads and secondary containment to reduce storm water-handling accumulation. Record keeping Record keeping is an important aspect of managing an agricultural chemical facility. Good records document problems and help managers improve their operations. Emergency and Discharge Response Plan The operator of a fertilizer or pesticide storage facility should prepare a written emergency and discharge response plan for the storage facility. Operators of storage facilities should provide a copy of the plan and a current chemical inventory for the local fire department. For more in-depth information or specific inquiries about BMPs or containment facilities, contact CSU Cooperative Extension or the Colorado Department of Agriculture. They have publications; programs and specialists that can help you prevent water pollution.

Healthcare/ Safety

Conejos County Hospital
Conejos County Hospital is the only hospital in Conejos County located south of La Jara. The well-qualified medical staff is dedicated to provide a high level of quality service and care with over forty years of distinguished service. The hospital collaborates with the San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center in Alamosa. The Alamosa hospital serves as a sister hospital helping to maintain and improve the quality health care for the local community and surrounding area of Conejos County. Conejos County Hospital is committed to a level of excellence providing a physician staffed 24-hour emergency service department. They work closely with the EMS and feature a helicopter emergency service (helipad) from Denver or Taos, New Mexico…very quick emergency response (ER) service. They feature full services in the following areas: Acute care…medical services; Swing bed services…step down unit. Swing bed implies that as the patient is cared for he/she will go through a series of transitional care units; certified long term care unit, short and long term stays, daily exercise and activities, rehabilitation services, and individualized care plans; continuum care, home health agency; therapy services; physical, occupational, speech, and respiratory; federally certified rural health clinic, providing reduced fees; physician family practice; full service lab and radiology department; standard x-rays, CT-scan, and ultra sound.

Other Health Services include the following: SLV Family Resources Counseling featuring DUI Level 1 &2 Programs, Out patient individual and family counseling is located at 304 Walnut, La Jara, 274-4369. The San Luis Valley Comprehensive Community Mental Health Center provides individual, group, family…for children, adolescents, & adult programs, they are located at 322 Walnut, La Jara, 274-5154. The Conejos County Nursing Service is located at 19023 S Hwy 285, La Jara, 274-4307. Casa De Oro Adult Day Services provides nursing home facilities, they are located at 413 Main St, La Jara, 274-4350. There are two dental practioners: Darrel Jackson, DDS, 421 Walnut, La Jara, 274-8948, and Eugene Christensen, Dahlia & 10, Antonito, 376-2295. For pharmaceutical products visit or call the La Jara Pharmaceutical located at 421 Main, La Jara, 274-5109

Hantavirus
Hantavirus is a family of disease causing viruses that occur naturally in mice and other rodents. In humans, the Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, (HPS), is a rare disease that eventually affects the respiratory system. In Colorado, the deer mouse is the primary carrier but not all deer mice carry the virus. People may become infected after direct contact with nests, urine or feces, especially if someone touches those items with their hand, and touches their face, particularly the nose or mouth. If bitten, the virus can also spread throughout the infected mouse's saliva. Symptoms are flu-like and include fever, chills and severe muscle pain, especially in the lower back and legs. In the last stages of the disease, the lungs fill with fluid, making it difficulty to breathe. When these symptoms occur contact your physician immediately (within eight weeks of contact). Spray droppings, nest, materials and carcasses with disinfectant and let soak 5-10 minutes. Clean up with a mop, sponge or wet-vacuum. A solution of one-cup bleach to one-gallon water works well. Wear rubber gloves. Dispose of dead mouse or contaminated materials, disinfect as described, seal in a plastic bag and place in an outdoor trashcan. For more information: Colorado Department of Public Health Communicable Disease Epidemiology (303) 692-2770

Lyme disease
Lyme disease is an infection caused by the bite of deer or western-blacklegged ticks. They infect victims with bacteria. The deer tick is usually in the Northeastern or North-central U.S. In their larval or nymphal stages, the ticks are the size of a pinhead. Ticks feed on blood by inserting the hypostome (upper part, not their whole bodies) into the skin of a host animal. Although the majority of cases reported are not in this area, Lyme disease is still a risk. Campers, hikers, outdoor workers and others may expose themselves to infected ticks when frequenting wooded, brush, and grass regions. The risk of exposure to ticks is greatest in the woods and in the edge area between lawns and woods, but pets can carry ticks to lawns, gardens, and houses. Early symptoms and signs of Lyme Disease: fatigue, chills and fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, swollen lymph nodes, and skin rash, called erythema migraines. Treat Lyme disease with antibiotics. Recovery is usually rapid and complete if treated in the early stages. Most patients, treated in the later stages of the disease, respond well to antibiotics. or more information, please contact the Public Health Department or your doctor.

Bubonic Plague
Plaque is an infectious disease of animals and humans. Yersinia Pestis is the bacterium that gets transferred to humans from fleas or infected animals. The plague bacterium comes from infected rodents. Modern antibiotics are effective against plague, infected people must be treated promptly; otherwise, the disease is likely to cause severe illness or death.

West Nile
West Nile is a disease that first appeared in the United States. New York reported the first ever incident of this disease in 1999 and soon thereafter made its way to Colorado. The disease is transmitted by mosquitoes to humans or birds to mosquitoes and then to humans. Mosquitoes bite the infected birds, and pass it on to humans, horses, and pets. Fortunately house pets are not carriers of the disease. There is a vaccine for horses but not for humans so try not to touch infected birds that might harbor the disease. Always wear gloves instead of using bare hands if an infected bird is handled. Most infections are mild and symptoms include fever, headache, body aches, and occasionally include skin rashes and swollen lymph nodes. For more information visit www.fightthebitecolorado.com/disease.htm

Recreation/Attractions

Summer Sunshine
Summer is a beautiful time in Conejos County. Since about half of the land in the county is federal or state owned there are lots of areas to explore and enjoy. Fishing is a large part of the summer recreation enjoyed by residents and tourists alike. There are hundreds of miles of rivers and creeks along with several reservoirs to enjoy. Browns, cutthroats, rainbows, brook trout and pike are among the varieties of fish that can be caught in our streams. There are many beautiful waterfalls within the forest to enjoy. Hiking and biking have also been big favorites in Conejos County with the Rio Grande National Forest holding much of the scenery. Bird watching is another activity enjoyed by many persons with numerous varieties of birds coming through this area.

Winter Wonderland
Wintertime in the Rockies can be a very playful time. With snowfall typically being plentiful, snowmobilers and cross-country skiers can be seen all over the mountains. Families also enjoy the winter wonderland by tubing or snowshoeing. Hunting is a very big sport in the county. Deer and Elk hunting bring hunters from all over the country, but there are many other species for which licenses are issued. Bear, grouse, duck, geese, big horn sheep, etc. are some of the other animals that are hunted.

Los Caminos Antigous Scenic and Historic Byway
Los Caminos Antiguos Scenic and Historic Byway follows a 129 mile route from the New Mexico state line winding through Conejos County and on to Costilla and Alamosa Counties. Along the way, you'll see wildlife, beautiful scenery, museums, galleries, shops, historic landmarks and a way of life that is deeply rooted in faith and tradition. Interpretive markers line the route as the story unfolds. Like a ribbon through time, Los Caminos Antiguos (the Ancient Roads) weave their way through one of the most culturally rich areas of the country. Along these caminos, the stories of earth, sky and water are alive and sacred, woven into family histories and into the fabric of life. As you follow the Ancient Roads, walk gently, listen to the voices and learn the story of those who came this way before you. Visit our website at www.loscaminos.com

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
The Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad is America's most authentic steam railroad, just as it was for a century, from the coal tipple to the conductor's smile. Twisting and turning through the beautiful San Juan Mountains on tracks that tamed the West, you'll cross the Colorado-New Mexico border eleven times. Count them as you look down from Windy Point, up at the spires of Phantom Curve, or into the depths of Toltec Gorge. Visit the official Cumbres & Toltec website for more information or call 1-888-CUMBRES

Jack Dempsey Museum
The Dempsey family along with 350 Mormons arrived in the year, 1880. The Dempsey family endured many hardships while starting their new life. On June 24, 1895, a short eleven days after the incorporation of the Town of Manassa, Jack Dempsey was born. The determination and the courage exhibited by Jack's parents and other members of the town became a way of life for Jack. Jack Dempsey began fighting in mining camps (1914), under the alias "Kid Blackie". He often fought bare fisted, a dollar a fight; feeling very lucky when he received two dollars. On July 4, 1919, Jack Dempsey took the championship title from Jess Willard. Jess Willard's weigh-in was 58 pounds more than Jack, five inches taller, and a reach advantage of 6 inches. Jack became the first fighter to draw a million-dollar gate. He later adopted the name of the "Manassa Mauler". Proudly, Manassa is world famous for being the birthplace of Jack Dempsey, "The Manassa Mauler". The entire house that he was born in was relocated to the Jack Dempsey Park on Main Street, between 4th and 5th Streets, moved from its original residence. Learn more about the museum at http://www.museumtrail.org/JackDempseyMuseum.asp or call (719)843-5207

King's Manassa Turquoise Mine The King Turquoise Mine is located east of Manassa in an old deposit mined by Pueblo Indians before Spaniards entered the area. Originally called Lick Skillet, it is presently mined by the King family from Manassa. Indians used tunneling until its discovery by I. P. King in 1890. Turquoise provides economic and spiritual benefits. Manassa Green is one of the more common types mined and highly desired by jewelry and lapidary designers. It contains gold and brown matrix and tints of deep to light blue colors. It is sold by the caret, which is converted to pounds or ounces when sold in large quantity.

The Rio Grande Pueblos believe that the blue color is directly associated with Father Sky and green is associated with Mother Earth. Other Native American tribes believe that turquoise provides special powers and fortune to the owner. Turquoise is a semiprecious stone that has recently gained in popularity. It has been mined world wide and found in Egyptian pyramids, and Incan, Mayan, and Axtec ruins. In the Southwestern United States some of the more popular sites where it has been found are in the ancient Anasazii ruins of Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. More than 56,000 specimens were discovered in Pueblo Bonito (one of the main dwellings in Chaco Canyon). Enormous quantities of raw, unfinished pieces are found suggesting that trading occurred to meet the large supply discovered.

The Cerrilos mine in New Mexico and the Manassa mine in Conejos County probably supplied the skilled artisans of Pueblo Bonito. The central location of Chaco Canyon to these mines probably made travel to and from the trading route ideal. The Pueblo's used stone mauls to extract the rock. They extracted the rock tunneling close to the surface. They lacked modern technology to dig deep. King's Manassa Turquoise is globally known and has worldwide appeal. Numerous websites mention Manassa turquoise for its sought after quality and color. The small town of Manassa and Antonito merchants sell Manassa turquoise retail in the form of decorative jewelry. from Branson, Oscar T. (1976). Turquoise the Gem of the Centuries, Marceline: Walsworth Press Company. Lowry, Joe Dan, Joe P. Lowry. (2002). Turquoise Unearthed. Tuscon: Rio Nuevo Publishers.

Events

MAY	Opening Day, Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad
JUNE	Annual Spring Steam Festival, Antonito Galloping Goose Run, C & T Railroad, Antonito
JULY	Pioneer Days, Various Activities and Times, Manassa
AUGUST	Bighorn Tent City, C & T Railroad, Antonito
SEPTEMBER	Annual Arco Iris Arts and Crafts Fair, Labor Day, Antonito Pike's Stockade Closing, Sanford
DECEMBER	Parade of Lights, Antonito

Transportation
Albuquerque Sun Port International Airport is approximately 190 miles from Antonito or 3 ¼ hour drive. The airport is easy to reach with no mountain passes to cross in winter months.
550 842-4366

Colorado Springs Municipal Airport is approximately 180 miles from Antonito or a 3 hour drive.
719 550-1900

To obtain or renew your Colorado State drivers license go to 715 6th St. Alamosa
719 589-4274 Transfer to in state license should be done 30 days from arrival date.
Hours 8:00 - 5:00, M - F. No photos taken after 4:30pm.

To obtain or renew your vehicle registration go to Conejos County Clerk, Conejos County Courthouse, Conejos, CO 81129 719 376-5422 Hours M - F 8:00 - 4:30. In state vehicle registration should be done 30 days from arrival date. Fees are based on taxable value, year, and weight of vehicle. Vehicle insurance and seat belt use are mandatory in Colorado.

Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad a relic of the past winds its way along the San Juan Mountains of Colorado and New Mexico. Steam powered locomotive fueled with coal stops to refill its water tank at Osier before the return home. Fares are reasonably priced but tourists should book in advance for convenient boarding. The depot is located south of Antonito at 5250 US Highway, telephone 719-376-6112 for tickets and reservations.

Antonito Senior Citizens Organization, 701 Main in Antonito provides transportation for its senior citizens. For more information, telephone 719-376-2294 for transportation services.

Northerners Senior Citizens Inc., 413 Main in La Jara also provides transportation for senior citizens and can be contacted at 719-274-4029 for transportation services.

Norm's Transportation Service provides transportation for service to the elderly and people needing wheelchair assessable transportation.

Valley-Wide Health Systems provides adult day care transportation, Medicaid approved, telephone 719-589-2266. Texas New Mexico & Oklahoma Coaches (TNM & 0) located at 8480 Stockton St. in Alamosa. For reservations and ticket prices telephone 719-589-4948.

Taxi service: Little Stinkers Taxi Cab provides round trip service to Denver, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. They are located at 6848 Malouff Rd. in Alamosa, for taxi service telephone 719-589-2500 and San Luis Valley Transportation can be reached by telephone, 719-589-5734.

Denver International Airport (DIA), approximately 250 miles from Antonito or 4-½ hour drive.

San Luis Valley Regional Airport/Bergman Field is a Denver flight service station two miles south of Alamosa and provides transportation to and from destination; L&M Auto Rental. The City of Alamosa and Alamosa County own and operate the airport, approximately ½ hour from Antonito and within 30 miles of La Jara.

For rental information contact: L&M Auto Rental located at the Municipal Airport telephone 719-589-4651.

Shuttle service to Cities of Gold Casino located fifteen miles north of Santa Fe, New Mexico, contact 719-376-5347 for shuttle service.