Raton Pass
Also known as Old Raton Pass
About Raton Pass
Ratón Pass is a 7,834 ft (2,388 m) elevation mountain pass on the Colorado–New Mexico border in the western United States. It is located on the eastern side of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains between Trinidad, Colorado and Raton, New Mexico, approximately 180 miles (290 km) northeast of Santa Fe. Ratón is Spanish for "mouse". The pass crosses the line of volcanic mesas that extends east from the Sangre de Cristo Mountains along the state line, and furnishes the most direct land route between the valley of the Arkansas River to the north and the upper valley of the Canadian River, leading toward Santa Fe, to the south. The pass now carries Interstate 25 and railroad tracks.
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PDFRead the original nominationThe form that put it on the Register, with its history, photos and a map · 100 MB · National Archives↗1960 to today
- 1960Named a National Historic Landmark
- 1966Added to the National Register of Historic Places
- 2026On the Register for 60 years
Finding Raton Pass
U.S. 85-87, CO/NM border, Raton
No other National Register listings within 3 miles.
Memories of Raton Pass
The record says what it is. Neighbors know what it means.
Your answer becomes a post in Town Square.
Sources: National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places (05/22/2026) · National Archives catalog record 84127892 · Wikidata. Map tiles © OpenStreetMap contributors.