The process of building on undeveloped land and making a home on it can be overwhelming. Where should you start? Who should you call? What requirements exist for the specific locale? The county’s website is a good place to start. Our focus here, though, is to offer resources for San Luis Valley, Colorado, located in Southern Colorado. The valley contains six full counties and parts of three others, including Costilla County.
As mentioned, the county website can provide a wealth of information, but may require some digging to uncover. The following is a time-saving, user-friendly list of resources for a range of services in the San Luis Valley:
Emergency Services
–Costilla County Fire Protection District has four stations and includes the areas of Blanca, Campe Diem, Cottonwood Creek, Forbes Park, Forbes Wagon Creek Ranches, Fort Garland, Garcia, Los Fuertos, Newton Ditch, Sangre de Cristo, San Pedro Mesa, Mountain Home Reservoir, Sangre de Cristo Ranches, Sierra Grande & Ute Creek.
–Colorado State Patrol, Alamosa
Medical Services
–San Luis Valley Regional Medical Center, a 49-bed hospital and Level III trauma center in Alamosa, providing general medical/surgical, intensive care and OB hospital services, as well as more comprehensive offerings for all types of medical care (https://www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org/about-us/) in partnership with the SLV Health Foundation (https://www.sanluisvalleyhealth.org/foundation/).
–Conejos County Hospital, a Level IV trauma center, 17-bed, emergency care hospital in La Jara, CO
–Valley-Wide Health Systems, Inc. encompasses a variety of clinics in many locations and a range of services, including clinics, pharmacies, WIC, and dental care.
–Spanish Peaks Regional Health Center, a Level IV trauma center in Walsenburg with affiliated clinics, a pharmacy, and dialysis services nearby
–San Luis Valley Behavioral Health Group offers mental health services with locations throughout the valley, including telehealth options.
Government and Community Services
Particularly useful departments related to land-development and relocation are Planning and Zoning Resources https://costillacounty.colorado.gov/departments/planning-zoning/planning-zoning-resources
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfu1t2NbDK96GixnNqXXTCrA7BxkIusJ/view
Waste Management, and the phone directory.
–San Luis Valley Development Resources Group–statistical profile of the San Luis Valley
–San Luis Valley Area information
–San Luis Post Office—13 9th Street San Luis, CO 81152 (719) 672-3968
Hours M-F 8:00am-12:00pm, 1:00-3:00pm, Saturday 10:00am-12:00pm; PO Box access M-Sat 6:00am-6:00pm
–Fort Garland Post Office—313 CO-159, Fort Garland, CO 81133 (719) 379-3481
Hours M-F 8:00am-4:30pm, Saturday 8:00am-11:30am; PO Box access M-F 7:00am-5:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-11:30am
–Blanca Post Office—406 Smith St, Blanca, CO 81123 (719) 379-3654
Hours M-F 11:00am-3:00pm, Saturday 8:00am-12:00pm; PO Box access 11:00am-3:00pm, Saturday 7:30am-12:30pm
Utility and Contractor Services
–Costilla County Planning & Zoning (719) 937-7668
The County provides this helpful development guide, which includes septic and well driller vendor recommendations: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1cfu1t2NbDK96GixnNqXXTCrA7BxkIusJ/view
–San Luis Water & Sanitation District—(719) 672-4100; 811 Pedro St, San Luis, CO 81152—water available for sale, purchaser responsible for hauling water; $25 minimum for up to 500 gallons, plus fee for mileage
-Hauled water is preferred mainly by recreational and seasonal users. Wells, cisterns, or rooftop collection systems are preferred by longer-term users.
–Colorado Division of Water Resources (DWR)—(303) 866-3581—water and well permits and information; Hours M-F 8:00am-5:00pm
–Water well depth chart—by subdivision, based on DWR Data from 9/2011 for approved Household Use Only (HUO) and domestic use only wells
–SLV Rural Electric Cooperative—(719) 852-3538; 3625 US-160, Monte Vista, CO 81144; Hours M-Th 7:00am-5:00pm
–Xcel Energy—(800) 895-4999
There are a few options for internet. The links below are better for locations not directly in town:
Earthlink (800) 217-6231
Don’t let the process of making a home in the San Luis Valley overwhelm you. Resources are available. Soon you will be enjoying your very own mountain oasis and the wonder of calling the San Luis Valley home.
Visit our website to see land we have for sale in the San Luis Valley or contact us at (636) 695-8800.