Dolores, Colorado

The Dolores River is the heart and soul of this small community. It provides a vital water supply and also offers many recreational opportunities to area visitors. The valley's first settlement in 1877 was at Big Bend, about 1.5 miles downstream from today's town of Dolores. Big Bend was abandoned when the Rio Grande Southern Railroad route was scheduled to bypass the settlement, and residents moved next to the tracks at Dolores' present town site. The Galloping Goose railcar and museum stands only feet from the spot where the railroad once ran.

Points of Interest: McPhee Lake, San Juan/Rio Grande National Forest, Dolores River, Anasazi Heritage Center, San Juan Skyway, Galloping Goose Museum.

Annual Events: Raft Day in June, Escalante Day in August and Christmas in Dolores during December.

Hotel & Motel Rooms: 40 units in 2 properties
Visitors Information: Dolores Visitor Center, 201 Railroad Ave., 800-807-4712
Post Office: Main Street, 882-7796
Library: Dolores Public Library, 420 Railroad Ave., 882-4127
Museums: Anasazi Heritage Center, 27501 Hwy. 184, 882-4811
Galloping Goose Museum, 420 Central, 882-7082
Sheriff: 420 Central Ave, 882-4656
Fire Department: Volunteer, 882-4096
Newspaper: Dolores Star, 211 Railroad Ave., 882-4486