Spanish Peaks Country is alive with the energy of new beginnings, timeless traditions, and mountain-town magic. From revived ski slopes to community festivals and hidden gems, here’s your guide to what’s happening this season.
Cuchara Is Back
Generations of families made their first turns at Cuchara Mountain Park, and now the mountain is stepping into a new era. Panadero Ski Corporation, a nonprofit, has secured a 40-year agreement to bring the slopes back to life.
What to know this season:
- Lift 4 is on track to reopen for the 2025–26 ski season.
- Winter activities when the snow flies: ski bus service, sledding, and snowshoeing.
- Summer adventures: disc golf and outdoor recreation are already in play.
- Affordable fun: staying true to its community-driven roots, Cuchara is focused on keeping mountain access accessible.
This revival is a true grassroots story, powered by volunteers, local support, and the people who love this mountain most.
Celebrate La Veta Oktoberfest
La Veta’s annual Oktoberfest, on October 4, brings the community together with music, food, and local flavor. Beginning at 11 a.m., enjoy brats, Bavarian pretzels, and locally brewed beer.
Festival highlights:
- Stein hoisting and costume contests
- A courtyard market featuring artisan goods and handmade creations
- An after-party with food, drink specials, and live music until 8 p.m.
It’s the perfect way to toast the season in Spanish Peaks Country.
Ghosts of the Taos Trail: The Ruins of Badito
Not all ghost stories begin with haunted houses — some begin on the trails that once carried thousands of travelers through Spanish Peaks Country.
Tucked just off the old Taos Trail, the ruins of Badito tell the story of what was once the hub of Huerfano County. This was the place for court, records, and business — a bustling stop for traders and travelers moving through the region.
Today, only remnants remain. A historic marker shares its past, but if you visit on a crisp fall day, you might feel the echoes of wagon wheels, distant voices, and perhaps even the whispers of spirits who never left.
Step off the beaten path this season and discover a haunting piece of Colorado’s history. Learn more here.
Discover Uptop: A Ghost Town on Old La Veta Pass
High on Old La Veta Pass lies Uptop, Colorado — a ghost town that refuses to disappear.
Founded in 1877, Uptop once thrived with railroads, mining, and logging. When the highway bypassed it in the 1960s, the town was nearly lost. In 2001, two sisters began restoring what was left: cabins, a schoolhouse, a chapel, and barns.
Today, visitors can explore this hauntingly beautiful place, learn its history, and feel its quiet resilience.
Note: Uptop is technically private property but the owners allow visitors to explore so long as they are not disruptive to the property.
Want more to explore? Venture out onto other Huerfano County roads to discover other “phantom” relics such as old schoolhouses, graveyards, and numerous coal camp ruins with features like “YMCA’s Stairs to Nowhere,” and the Ideal Coal Camp ruins. A Historic Map of Huerfano County is available at numerous retail outlets and museums.
Step Back in Time at the Walsenburg Mining Museum
Discover the stories of Colorado’s coal miners at the Walsenburg Mining Museum, housed in the original jail built in 1896. This one-of-a-kind museum brings the mining era of Huerfano County to life through artifacts, photos, and exhibits that capture what life was really like in the mining camps.
From hard hats and tools to tales of grit and perseverance, every display shares a piece of the history that shaped this region. You can even step inside the old jail cells that still stand as a reminder of the past.
Next time you’re exploring Spanish Peaks Country, make time to stop in and experience the history that continues to echo through these stone walls.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re here for fresh mountain air, historic charm, or community celebrations, Spanish Peaks Country has something new — and something timeless — waiting for you this fall and winter.