Colorado National Heritage Areas
South Park National Heritage Area
PO Box 1373
Fairplay, CO 80440
(719) 836-4273
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South Park was built on the mining and ranching industries of the Old American West. It is located in a valley surrounded by towering ranges of the Rocky Mountains. Rich in plant life, the area hosts three rare species found nowhere else in the world and is home to one of the largest stands of Bristlecone pines in the United States. Visitors can enjoy visiting ghost towns, shopping, art galleries and dining. Relax in the outdoors by fishing for trout, boating, wildlife viewing, hunting, horseback riding, cross country skiing, hiking and camping.
http://www.southparkheritage.org
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Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area
PO Box 844,
Alamosa, CO 81101
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The Sangre De Cristo National Heritage Area is the newest National Heritage Area in the U.S. Designated in 2009, the corridor showcases the rich history of south-central Colorado’s San Luis Valley, home to the state's earliest civilizations, and a bounty of natural and historical assets. The massive area includes portions of the Sangre De Cristo Range, Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve, three national wildlife refuges, a national forest, two forest wilderness areas, 15 state wildlife areas, a nature conservancy preserve, 20 cultural properties listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the headwaters of the Rio Grande River system. There is no shortage of activities, as visitors can ride the Cumbres & Toltec Scenic Railroad, explore Spanish settlements, view wildlife at the Monte Vista National Wildlife Preserve, and visit many small towns on the scenic byways.
Cache la Poudre River National Heritage Area
8313 West F Street
Greeley, CO 80631
(970) 295-4851
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The Cache la Poudre River Heritage Area extends for 45 miles, beginning in Larimer County at Roosevelt National Forest’s eastern border, through Fort Collins, and ending east of Greeley. The 120-mile Cache la Poudre River originates in the Rocky Mountains and flows across the plains to merge with the South Platte River. Visitors can explore the river front’s 31 miles of paved trail on foot or bike. Day trips include visits to the Fort Collins 1883 Water Works, the Centennial Village Museum, Fort Collins Museum & Discovery Science Center, or drive the Cache la Poudre-North Park Scenic Byway. There are ample venues for shopping, dining, and visiting art galleries within the historical districts. State parks and wildlife refuges offer year-round outdoor adventures.