Baca National Wildlife Refuge is a 93,000-acre protected conservation area located in the northeastern portion of the San Luis Valley near Crestone, Colorado. Managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, it operates as a vital component of the San Luis Valley National Wildlife Refuge Complex. The refuge encompasses a highly diverse combination of natural habitats, including shrublands, grasslands, wet meadows, playa wetlands, and riparian corridors, all set against the Sangre de Cristo mountain range.

The primary mission of the refuge is wildlife conservation, serving as a sanctuary for migratory birds and resident wildlife while protecting the broader northern valley ecosystem and its water resources. Notable species under active management and biological monitoring include an automated tracking initiative for the endangered Rio Grande Sucker, populations of the Rio Grande Chub, and a resident herd of over 1,500 American Elk. Beyond its ecological function, the landscape preserves rich archaeological sites detailing over 12,000 years of human history, including the historical remnants of the Luis Maria Baca Grant Ranch.

Address: 69812 County Rd. T, Crestone, CO 81131

Phone Number: (719) 256-5527

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