Cultural Resources Survey of the Purgatoire River Region

Colorado Preservation, Inc.

From introduction: "In early 2007, Colorado Preservation, Inc. staff was invited to attend a meeting in La Junta organized to discuss the threat posed to the region’s historic resources by the proposed expansion of the Army’s Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site in Las Animas County. The local ranching community was seeking ways to raise awareness of the region’s unique natural and cultural resources. The Colorado Natural Heritage Program at Colorado State University would be partnering with local landowners to conduct a survey of the area’s biological resources. It was proposed that a complementary survey be conducted for the area’s prehistoric and historic resources. Colorado Preservation, Inc. would manage and conduct the survey with the Pinon Canyon Expansion Opposition Coalition (PCEOC) organizing access to individual ranches. The goal of the survey project was to identify and document the abundant prehistoric and historic resources in the region. With the majority of the region in private ownership, this was an exceptional opportunity to document resources to which there had previously been limited or no access. Surveyed resources were expected to illuminate the region’s ranching heritage as well as the importance of Native American and Hispanic cultures in the region. In addition to documentation, the project’s second goal was education. This would be achieved through public presentations, a historic context study distributed in the region, and through publication of survey results on Colorado Preservation Inc.’s website. The reconnaissance-level survey began in July 2008 and was completed in May 2009. The intensive level survey began in June 2009 and was completed in November 2009. During 2010, the survey team completed the survey forms, survey report, and historic context study. The project was completed in December 2010. The focus area of the survey was southern Otero County and eastern Las Animas County. The area of interest can be roughly enclosed by Highway 10, Interstate 25 (excluding the area around Trinidad), the Colorado-New Mexico border, and Highway 109. This also included small portions of Pueblo and Huerfano Counties. This area includes the military’s expressed area of interest for expanding the Pinon Canyon Maneuver Site. However, this is not simply an arbitrary survey boundary. The survey region has a common landscape, climate, economy, and history, creating a strong regional identity. The survey within the project area was selective, limited to participating private property owners and resources visible from public roadways." Funding was provided in part by a 2008 Preserve America grant to Otero County (grant number 08-08-AP-4005) for the Southern Otero County Rural Resources Survey. The grant was administered by the State, Tribal, and Local Plans and Grants Division, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior. Preserve America is a federal initiative that encourages and supports community efforts to preserve and enjoy our priceless cultural and natural heritage. The goals of the program include a greater shared knowledge about the nation's past, strengthened regional identities and local pride, increased local participation in preserving the country's cultural and natural heritage assets, and support for the economic vitality of our communities.

Cultural Resources Survey of the Purgatoire River Region

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