Colorado’s Least Affluent County is Rich with Activities

Despite the fact that it’s the “poorest” county in Colorado, Costilla County is extremely rich in history and historic places that are significant to the story of this state. Many assume there’s nothing to see or do in the poorest part of Colorado, but the opposite is true. Costilla County is full of great outdoor activities, places to fish and get out on the water, and several museums that show us how we all got here.

Located along the Colorado and New Mexico border is the county of Costilla. The county includes 1,230 square miles of land and 304 square miles of water. Spanish Conquistadors explored the area in the 1640s opening some of the routes into Colorado that we still use today.

According to the 2020 census, the county of Costilla is home to about 3,499 residents. The top employers in the county are San Luis Care Center, Valley-Wide Health Systems, and Dollar General.

Housing in the area varies greatly, from stately cabins to new construction to tiny houses and everything in between. Prices are generally much more affordable than much of the rest of Colorado and many properties come with a generous amount of land.

Great for outdoor enthusiasts, Costilla County is full of great places to fish and see wildlife. Here you can enjoy a weekend of fishing at Eastdale Reservoir, Sanchez Reservoir, Smith Reservoir, and Mountain Home Reservoirs.

Costilla County is rich in Colorado history with several historic sites, museums, and historic old forts. The famous Great Sand Dunes National Park is nearby, along with the Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge and San Luis Lakes State Park.

Museums also about here, the most notable being the Fort Garland Museum, the San Luis Museum, the Sanford Museum, and the living history museum at the White Mountain Trading Post.

Though it’s little known and not one of Colorado’s economic power counties, Costilla County is worth checking out. Who knows? You may find it’s the new place you want to call home! And if you need any help, give Metrowest a call!