Salazar and Allard Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Passes Another Milestone

Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senators Ken Salazar (D-Colo.) and Wayne Allard (R-Colo.) announced today that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources approved their bill to create the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area.

“My family’s ranch is located in the San Luis Valley, not far from in the proposed Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area. There are few other places on earth that touch the soul as deeply as this area because of the geography, history and culture that exist and existed there,” said Senator Salazar. “I am deeply proud to have grown up in the Valley, in the shadow of the Sangre de Cristos, and I am just as proud to have sponsored this bill to preserve the history and landscape shaped by their presence.”

“The proposed Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area, located in the San Luis Valley of south-central Colorado lies in one of highest alpine valleys in North America,” said Senator Allard. “It represents profound religious, cultural and historical significance, once serving as a staging ground for a new nation that was being redefined. Hispanic, Anglo and Native American cultures interacted in this area, witnessing the convergence of the old with the new. In addition, the language included in this legislation will protect and strengthen water rights within the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area boundaries. I’m pleased to see this legislation move forward.”


The bill would designate an area in Southeastern Colorado as a National Heritage Area, which makes the area eligible for federal grants and funding, and will help to preserve it unique character.
“Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla counties and communities from across the entire San Luis Valley came together at the right time and worked together with Senators Salazar and Allard to make this proposal a win-win for everyone,” said Ann Marie Velasquez, secretary/treasurer for the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Steering Committee. “We all have much to be proud regarding this project.”

“Over the five years we have worked together on this project, this had been a true grass roots effort; good old fashion sweat,” said Rick Manzanares, co-chair of the Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area Steering Committee. “The committee, along with many San Luis Valley individuals raised money for the feasibility study rather than going to the government and asking for the funds. This project has had so much community support and involved a great deal of folks in the community. We’re all very grateful for the support from both of our Colorado Senators in recognizing the resources and heritage of this area as worthy of protection.”

The Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area would encompass Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla counties and the Sand Dunes, Baca Wildlife Refuge, and the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge. The following counties and municipalities have passed resolutions of support the bill: Alamosa, Conejos and Costilla counties, Alamosa, Antonio, Blanca, Manassa, San Luis and Sanford.”

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