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Rio Grande County was formed in 1874 from Costilla and Conejos Counties.
Welcome to the Rio Grande County COGenWeb Site
As a volunteer, I hope to provide you with valuable genealogical resources in your quest for family history information. I am making major renovations to the site. Thank you for your patience during the transition. Please feel free to contact me if I can be of any assistance to you.
Cynthia Martinez Monroe - Rio Grande County Coordinator • Email me: CmonroeCOGenWeb@gmail.com
A proud part of the The USGenWeb® Project and the COGenWeb Project
About Rio Grande County
Rio Grande County is the gateway to the San Juan Mountains and one of the highlights of the San Luis Valley. Covering 913 square miles, the county ranges from around 7,000 feet on the valley floor to numerous 13,000‑foot peaks. Its three municipalities — Monte Vista, Del Norte, and South Fork — each have unique histories. Monte Vista is the largest community and an agricultural hub; Del Norte is the county seat, known for its historic charm; and South Fork, the newest town, is surrounded by the Rio Grande National Forest and has roots as a logging center.
Rio Grande County Records & Resources
Catholic Church Records
- Rio Grande County Catholic Church Records on Microfilm
- St. Joseph's (Monte Vista) Baptisms 1920–1957
- St. Joseph's (Monte Vista) Confirmation & Communion 1939–1957
- St. Joseph's (Monte Vista) Marriages 1920–1957
- St. Joseph's (Monte Vista) Deaths 1920–1957
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Baptisms 1877–1942
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Marriages 1877–1895
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Baptisms 1942–1957
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Communion 1946–1957
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Confirmations 1913–1957
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Marriages 1876–1957
- Holy Name of Mary (Del Norte) Deaths 1911–1957
Newspapers, Books, & Periodicals
- Colorado Historic Newspaper Collection
- Del Norte Daily Enquirer (1 issue)
- The Del Norte Prospector (1929–1941, 617 issues)
- The Monte Vista Journal (1897–1924, 1317 issues)
- The Monte Vista Reporter (1899–1900, 53 issues)
- Monte Vista Tribune (1926, 48 issues)
- The San Juan Prospector (1874–1929, 2280 issues)
- San Luis Valley Graphic (1884–1892, 18 issues)
- San Luis Graphic & Monte Vista Reporter (1911, 51 issues)
- San Luis Valley Historian, Vol 1–31 (1969–1999 on microfilm)
Land, Maps, Homesteads, & Directories
- Rio Grande County Homestead Records 1875–1908 (microfilm)
- Rio Grande County Land Sale Receipts 1875–1892 (microfilm)
- Rio Grande County Serial Register Books 1908–1925 (microfilm)
- BLM General Land Office Records
- BLM Colorado Land Patent Search (by State & County)
- National Park Service - Homestead Records Request
- USGS Historical Topographic Map Collection 1884-2006
- Colorado Tract Books (Federal Land Records) – Digitized (Search)
- Colorado Tract Books (Federal Land Records) – Digitized (Browse)
Online Historical Collections
Social Media, Message Boards & Lookups
Vital Records & Requests
Cemeteries & Obituaries
Neighboring County COGenWeb Sites
Alamosa; · Archuleta; · Conejos; · Costilla; · Mineral; · Saguache;
COGenWeb Contacts
Rio Grande County Coordinator – Cynthia Martinez Monroe
COGenWeb State Coordinator – Rebecca Maloney
Assistant State Coordinator – Betty Baker
Assistant State Coordinator – M. D. Monk
Assistant State Coordinator – Norma Hass