Community

The Cuchara Valley

Shaped by the power that formed the Rockies and polished by abundant waters flowing down its slopes, the Cuchara Valley is a gem of southern Colorado. The valley begins in alpine meadows at 13,000 feet then descends through thick stands of pine and aspen that add brilliance to the area’s scenery.

Cuchara holds a gentle beauty, a landscape that has absorbed an influx of recent growth without losing the harmony created by wildlife and water, forest and field. These natural features abound in the valley, along with broad vistas and unique geological outcrops that make the region a popular tourist destination, a prime site for vacation properties, and home for residents who appreciate the local beauty, recreation, and climate.

At the downriver end of Cuchara Valley is La Veta, a town of 900 people that lies at 7,100 feet elevation amidst expansive vistas of mountain and prairie. La Veta was founded in 1876 and has retained its history and small town charm that invites newcomers to enjoy its breathtaking setting and many attractions.

The Fort Francisco Museum, art galleries, community theater, seasonal festivities, and Grandote Golf Course (ranked as one of the finest courses in Colorado) add to the ambiance of this peaceful, yet thriving, community.

Traveling south from La Veta, the historic Highway of Legends (State Highway 12) winds through Cuchara Valley flanked on the west by the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and on the east by the twin Spanish Peaks of volcanic origin (called Huahatoya or ‘breasts of the earth’ by the Native Americans).

This unique landscape provides spectacular views of mountain scenery interspersed with massive lava-wall outcrops as the road rises through ranchland meadows towards the mountain community of Cuchara.

Beginning in the early 1900’s, Cuchara has drawn summer visitors from Texas, Oklahoma, and southern Kansas who appreciate not only its beauty but also the fact that Cuchara Valley is their closest destination for enjoying the scenic Colorado Rockies. Located above 8,000 feet, ‘Cuchara Camps’ evolved over the decades into a picturesque mountain community that annually welcomes an influx of winter skiers and summer residents from throughout the nation. Nearby mountain lakes, hiking trails in the surrounding National Forest, abundant wildlife, and fishing opportunities make Cuchara the hub of a recreational paradise with plenty of space to welcome new arrivals to discover its beauty and bounty.