San Luis
This small, somewhat rustic town has the distinction of being the oldest continually inhabited place in Colorado. It was founded in 1851, when this area was still part of Mexico. Drive around the town looking for city birds and feeders. There are often some hummingbird feeders around town, with as many as four species possible in the late summer/early fall. The two small sewage ponds south of town sometimes have a few ducks. Bendire’s Thrasher showed up about a mile west of town in 1993.
Restrictions: Respect private property - bird from the road
County: Costilla
Attractions: Historic town. Overlooking San Luis is the shrine of 'La Mesa de la Piedad y de la Misericordia' (Hill of Piety and Mercy). As visitors climb the half-mile trail they can view fifteen bronze sculptures depicting the Stations of the Cross and experience the magnificent adobe Capilla at the top of the mesa.
Directions: From US 160 in the town of Fort Garland, head south on CO 159 about fifteen miles to San Luis.
Alternate Directions: San Luis is along CO 159, 16 miles south of Ft. Garland.
Habitat: Urban/Suburban, Pond/Lake/Reservoir
Dates of Access: Open all year
Hours: Any
Ownership: Municipal
Admission or Fees: Free
Parking: Roadside
Lodging: Hotels
Handicapped: No
Handicapped Access: Some viewing from car
Delorme: 91 C7
ROC: 152 A2
Latitude: 37.2008482
Longitude: -105.4239012