History:

Las Animas is the largest of Colorado's 64 counties. It has a area of 4,773 square miles.

Las Animas was formed in 1866 from Huerfano County. Several years later, more of Huerfano was added. In 1889, part of it was split off to form Baca County.

Las Animas was named for the Animas River. The Spanish name for this river was El Rio de las Animas Perdidas en Purgatorio. This translates to the River of the Lost Souls in Purgatory.

Legend has it that several Spanish explorers were lost on the river in the late 1760s. Their bodies were never recovered, and thus they were doomed to spend eternity in Purgatory.

Protected Areas:

• Comanche National Grassland
• Lake Dorothey State Wildlife Area
• James M. John State Wildlife Area
• San Isabel National Forest
• Spanish Peaks Wilderness
• Fishers Peak State Park
• Trinidad Lake State Park