Are you ready to have your mind BLOWN?! Okay, here it goes… the Western Slope has been invaded by alligators! Don’t worry; you shouldn’t have to watch your step as you walk down the street or fish beside a lake, as these giant reptiles are all housed at the Colorado Gators Reptile Park in Mosca! Intrigued? Here is what you need to know:

When founders Erwin and Lynne Young moved from Texas in the mid-1970s, they learned of the geothermal water supply in the Mosca area and decided to grow Tilapia on their 80-acre farm. In 1987, they bought 100 baby alligators to help clean up Tilapia carcasses and waste, and soon had 100 of these large adult reptiles on their hands, inspiring them to open their farm to the public in 1990.
Yelp/Kara G.
Soon after opening to the public, people with unwanted reptiles began dropping them off with the family, which sparked the Young's decision to make the park into a full-blown sanctuary for these unwanted animals.
Roxanne M./Yelp
Today, visitors can expect to see a wide variety of both reptiles (including, of course, alligators, tortoises, snakes, iguanas, and much more) and birds at the sanctuary.
Roxanne M./Yelp

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Not only does the park offer viewing opportunities, it also give visitors a chance to impress their friends by either handling exotic reptiles or wrestling with an alligator.
Colorado Gator Farm Facebook
(Each of these classes costs $100.)

For more information on the Colorado Gators Reptile Park, be sure to visit its website.

Colorado Gator Farm Facebook
Colorado Gator Farm Facebook
Colorado Gator Farm Facebook

Have you had the opportunity to visit this hidden (and epic) Colorado gem?

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