MONTE VISTA, Colo. — The Bureau of Land Management, in partnership with The Great Outdoors Fund, is holding a celebration to commemorate the completion of the new Lobatos Bridge outdoor classroom on Sept. 26, 2025. The new enhancements to educational and recreational opportunities are achievements of goals set decades ago by land managers and the public alike.

“This location has a particularly rich and complicated history that spans thousands of years,” said Dale Culver, the manager of the BLM’s San Luis Valley Field Office. “This is a spectacular achievement for the public, our community partners, and the BLM.”

The BLM partnered with The Great Outdoors Fund to raise the capitol necessary to bring the project to life. The idea, said its founder, resonated with the organization’s vision of private investment and public land creating a shared future.

“The Lobatos Bridge project proves what’s possible when local vision is matched with the support of both public and private partners,” said Lori McCullough, founder and CEO of The Great Outdoors Fund.

The outdoor classroom is designed to provide unique educational opportunities for students. Working closely with Native Tribes, students have an opportunity to learn about daily life before European immigrants settled in the valley. The classroom includes a series of new panels on the history of the area, ranging from prehistoric times to the modern day. Additional features include artwork from local students and artists. The site is ADA-accessible.

As a popular spot for anglers and river sports, recreational improvements include a new boat ramp and on-site restroom facilities to augment existing recreational opportunities.

“The new educational signs highlight some of this area’s unique history and are a great supplement to the interpretive trail. It’s a great spot for a picnic,” said Mick Daniel, executive director of San Luis Valley Great Outdoors. “This project has transformed the space.”

“My family were ranchers and farmers here, living in large part off the land and working in tandem with the community. I know how deeply this community treasures the Rio Grande and how it has shaped our nation’s history and culture for generations,” said Ken Salazar, former U.S. Ambassador to Mexico, Secretary of the Interior, and Senator. “By blending private investment with public commitment, we are not only honoring our past but also ensuring that future generations can learn, recreate, and connect to this river that sustains us all.”

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 26, 2025. It will be hosted by the BLM and The Great Outdoors Fund at the historic Lobatos Bridge, County Road G, spanning the Rio Grande between Conejos and Costilla counties. RSVPs should be made on the event page by Sept. 19.

For media enquiries, please contact Levi Spellman, the Department of the Interior public affairs specialist, at 719-269-8553.

gravel parking lot with view of the historic lobatos bridge which is a metal bridge — The historic San Luis Valley Lobatos Bridge Photo Credit: BLM Colorado

-BLM-

Published on: September 18, 2025

The BLM manages about 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.