{"id":3079,"date":"2019-11-18T11:08:55","date_gmt":"2019-11-18T11:08:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/?p=3079"},"modified":"2021-07-26T01:03:01","modified_gmt":"2021-07-26T01:03:01","slug":"are-there-alligators-in-colorado","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/familytravelfever.com\/are-there-alligators-in-colorado\/","title":{"rendered":"Are there Alligators in Colorado? (Gators Reptile Park)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

NOTE*** The content on this page may contain affiliate links, we may make a commission. And, as an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.<\/em>\u00a0\u00a0More information: disclosure page<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Are there alligators in Colorado?<\/g><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Colorado<\/g> is an unexpected place to see alligators. Surprisingly, you can find over 300 alligators (and other reptiles) basking in the Colorado sunshine and soaking in a natural hot spring in the San Luis Valley at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

According to the Smithsonian\u00b4s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute<\/a>, alligators can be found from North Carolina to Texas, in freshwaters such as rivers, lakes, swamps or marshes. Alligators are not native to Colorado, due to its colder climate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, we found a special place in Colorado where you can visit alligators: The Colorado Gators Reptile Park. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Where are the Alligators in Colorado and How Did they get There? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Living in Colorado, of course we had heard of this unusual place. So we decided to add this to our Mother’s Day visit to the Great Sand Dunes National Park. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Colorado Gators Reptile Park is a alligator<\/g> and reptile resue located in Mosca near the town of Alamosa, in south-central Colorado. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The “Gator Farm” first started as a Tilapia farm. Erwin and Lynne Young, coming from Texas to the San Luis Valley, discovered the geothermal water conditions in the area were perfect to grow this species of fish. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, they decided to grow warm water fish in the hot springs instead of inviting people to swim in their pool. A rather unique decision for Colorado given all the hot springs resorts in Colorado. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to the owners’ conservationist values, they felt like throwing away the dead fish was a waste, so they decided to feed a group of baby alligators. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, over time, locals became interested in watching the alligators. So the owners decided to open it for the public. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now, you can not only see alligators or tilapia but also, other many other reptiles that have been rescued. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Today, the main focus of the Colorado Gators Reptile Park is conservation and education. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We figured this was just a basic tourist trap to see some alligators in Colorado. We were so surprised! The kids loved interacting with all the different types of reptiles. The owners and staff are warm and friendly and amazingly knowledgeable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an authentic experience at a working farm and animal rescue. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

You can hold a baby alligator, pet tortoises, and feed the fish and more. This is not a well-manicured zoo. You will have to be careful to navigate turtles walking at your feet and ongoing construction projects. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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We spent a couple of hours walking through the park, feeding the alligaotrs<\/g> and fish and talking to the owners and handlers. We did not take advantage of any of the classes or gator wrestling though. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Reptile Classes and Gator Wrestling <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

They do offer classes about how to handle and care for reptile<\/a>, such as lizards, tortoises or snakes. You will learn about their diet, proper care, their lifestyle, the maximum size. They will answer the question of whether a reptile would make a good pet for you and which one. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The class costs $100 and includes a t-shirt. For $20 you can buy pictures of you holding some of the reptiles. These introductory classes are mostly targeted at children starting at 4 years old <\/p>\n\n\n\n

On the other hand, if you ware an adult and want a bigger challenge, the gator wrestling class comes with a \u201cCertificate of Insanity\u201d. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The gator wrestling class can only be joined if you are 18 or older and costs $100. The purpose of these classes is to help check on the gators, that tend to be physically aggressive to one another, medicate them or move them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

We didn’t think that would be a good family activity to watch Dad come face to face with an Alligator (honestly neither did he).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A word of caution for your little ones – some of the gator wrestling photos and stories are graphic. One corner of the entry way<\/g> is dedicated to this activity and easily bypassed with kids. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Visiting the Alligators in Colorado<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Gator Farm should be added to your Sand Dunes National Park trip<\/a> or next drive through the San Luis Valley. The entrance to Sand Dunes National Park is only about a half hour<\/g> east. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In case you you<\/g> want to just pop in for a visit, it is important to know that the Colorado Gators Reptile Park <\/a>is open every day<\/p>\n\n\n\n