Attractions (in subcategory: Agriculture)

La Vega is the only Mexican-Era land grant commons in Colorado. Continuing to serve its original purpose of communal grazing, La Vega was designated by a 1863 covenant for villagers living in the Rio Culebra Basin. Allocated for seven villages, the commons extended 18 miles south to the New Mexico border at its inception. Though La Vega has dwindled to 500-acres the commons is maintained and managed by local descendants who use the pasture. Traditionally Vega rules dictate that the wetlands remain uncultivated since each family was allowed to graze four cattle or milk cows, horses, and mules.

Discover "acequias" (gravity-fed irrigation systems) in one of the oldest communities in Colorado. Serving the village of San Luis de la Culebra before Colorado was a Territory, the People's Ditch was initially a shallow hand-dug irrigation channel. Later, oxen pulling a plow widened and extended the ditch. Operating under Water District 24 of Division 3, the People's Ditch holds the first adjudicated water rights in Colorado. The People's Ditch serves 16 "parcientes" (affiliated water users) and irrigates approximately 2100 acres of hay & other row crops. A majority of parcientes are descendants of the original founders of the acequia.