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FACILITIES AND SERVICES: CHURCHES Reflecting the Spanish heritage of the area, the Catholic Church is the largest church of the San Luis Valley. However, there are other churches nearby with virtually every denomination represented in Alamosa and other nearby communities. DOCTORS AND DENTISTS There are doctors and dentists at the San Luis Health Center in San Luis, just 23 miles away. Many other doctors, dentists, clinics and hospitals are located in La Jara and Alamosa. FIRE PROTECTION The San Luis Fire Department, with equipment in San Luis and Fort Garland, serves the Ranchos. POLICE The Sheriff of Costilla County, located in San Luis, provides police protection and assistance. HOSPITAL AND AMBULANCE The Sangre de Cristo Health Center in San Luis furnishes emergency and outpatient hospital care. Long-term patients are usually cared for in the larger hospitals located in La Jara and Alamosa. The Alamosa Community Hospital is the main hospital facility of the San Luis Valley. Ambulance service is available for the Sangre de Cristo Health Center and the hosptals in La Jara and Alamosa. SCHOOLS Elementary, junior high and senior high schools are located in San Luis. These schools serve the Ranchos and free bus service is furnished. The schools are accredited. Adams State College is located in Alamosa. Tuition is required. CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENT The San Luis Valley is the oldest settled part of Colorado. The climate is known for pleasantly cool summer days rarely reaching 90 degrees, with no humidity. The beauty of fall, with the golden-hued leaves of the Aspen tree, is characterized by crisp mornings and clear sunshine-filled day. Wintertime brings seasonal weather and occasional snowfalls, but it is pleasantly surprising to find bright, unpolluted skies allowing maximum effectiveness of the sunshine. An average winter’s day temperature is a clear and dry 37 degrees. The spring rains herald the warming trend and the completion of nature’s cycle of life for the flora and fauna. This Rocky Mountain environment is a fresh alternative to the lowlands and metropolitan population centers. Wide open spaces and low humidity in a countryside free of the unpleasant nuisances and pollutants of the city. USE OF THE LAND AND RESTRICTIONS Rio Grande Ranchos are intended as a recreation hideaway or home site, but not for any visible commercial purpose. Currently, we have 14 families living full time in the Rio Grande Ranchos Subdivision. To assure your enjoyment of the land, protective covenants and restrictions have been placed on all lots. Read them thoroughly, as they are there to protect you. SHOPPING AND SERVICES Blanca, Fort Garland and San Luis are small, pleasant country towns. Their stores adequately provide the goods for most of your daily needs. San Luis also has a medical center, clothing and hardware stores, vehicle repair shops and is the county seat of Costilla County. The main commercial center for the San Luis Valley is Alamosa, just 42 miles northwest from the center of the Ranchos. Here you will find just about everything you need in the ordinary business of living. There are banks, Adams State College, complete hospital and medical facilities and movies. There are also major department, hardware and building supply stores. If you like to occasionally return to the hustle and bustle of the big city, to see an opera or major sporting event, you can get to Denver or Albuquerque by car in approximately 4 hours. Colorado Springs, Pueblo and Santa Fe are even closer and offer most big city events and services. |