ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the efforts of the people in and around the small rural town of San Luis, Colorado, USA to diversify the economy of their community. Colorado’s San Luis Valley has a long history of economic hardship and the graduating high school seniors have long been a major export. “The year 1987 marked the turning point in the economic life of San Luis, the oldest town in Colorado, whose colorful history dates back to 1851. “The “bootstrap” approach to sustainable economic development in San Luis began when Father Pat Valdez of the Sangre de Cristo Parish re-evaluated the Church’s position within the community. The community, in conjunction with the newly-formed Costilla County Economic Development Council, Inc., and the Sangre de Cristo Church identified a number of community development projects as a way to begin the process of building community pride, encouraging self-help and leadership and improving the local economy.
