2010 Map of Valdez

About this map

The Purgatoire River winds through the northern edge of this Las Animas County landscape, carving the wide Picketwire Valley where the settlements of Segundo, Valdez, and Tijeras are concentrated. This area reflects a legacy of southern Colorado industry and community, with the Madrid Plaza Mine and Frederick Mine situated among the canyons to the east. The terrain is defined by a dense network of drainages cutting into the Park Plateau, including the extensive Long Canyon and several interestingly named features like West Fork Widow Woman Canyon and Sowbelly Canyon. Local genealogy and history are anchored by the San Juan Cemetery near the river and the Tijeras Cemetery further east. The transition from the river valley to the elevated Parsons Cow Camp illustrates the traditional movement between water sources and grazing lands in this high-plains environment.