The Colorado Gator Farm began as one family's aquaculture venture to raise Tilapia, a white fish, for commercial sale. When the family was denied a permit to dump the waste from the processing of the fish on their property they had to find another way to get rid it, and there was a lot of waste. An idea was hatched, pardon the pun, to bring in alligators to act as garbage disposals for the waste and dead fish, 100 baby gators to be exact. Today the gators thrive in the geothermal pools outside, pools heated by the 2050-foot deep artesian well that consistently produces 87-degree water year-round.

The $5 for adult, $2.50 kids 6-12, tour begins in the gift shop with an opportunity to buy a bucket of gator chow. You are instructed to follow the green painted gator tracks between buildings to view gators, rescued exotic reptile pets, like: pythons, nurse sharks, geckos, boa constrictors, tortoises, etc.

There is an opportunity to hold a gator, and your photo taken as 'a record of your visit in case you are eaten by the big ones' the photographer tells you. The digital photo is processed and available at the end of your tour for purchase.

Visit their website at www.gatorfarm.com for more information or call 719/589-3032. It's an awesome experience that shouldn't be missed.