UFO Watchtower - Hooper, CO
N 37° 47.313 W 105° 53.229
13S E 421886 N 4182725
Strange lights, unusual objects in the sky and cattle mutilations are only a few of the bizarre tales you will hear at the UFO Watchtower.
Waymark Code: WMGCRG
Location: Colorado, United States
Date Posted: 02/15/2013
Views: 9
[Judy Messoline] heard about the strange lights and even stranger aircraft that were part of the [San Luis] Valley's lore for decades... Many of these unusual sightings don't fit the parameters of known human technology. These vehicles are cigar- or saucer-shaped, for the most part. Some are odder, and some are seen only as a few bright lights. Usually, they move unlike anything anyone could even guess was technically possible. "We don't have just the usual flying saucer sightings out here." (Getz, Weird Colorado)
The UFO Watchtower is a fun place to visit, even for nonbelievers. Cutouts of little green men and women affixed to fence posts are perfect for gag photos... and the watchtower platform offers a clear panoramic view of the mysterious valley. (Pohlen, Oddball Colorado)
Weird and unusual stories abound throughout the San Luis Valley in south central Colorado dating as far back as the 1600s.
[visit link] Author Christopher O'Brien calls the valley "Area 52" in his book,
Secrets of the Mysterious Valley. In fact, it was after hearing the valley mentioned repeatedly on paranormal TV shows that Judy Messoline, a cattle rancher, was inspired to build a
UFO Watchtower. The "tower" is a 10-foot high platform located above a dome-shaped gift shop and also features a healing garden and campground. The watchtower has attracted more than 20,000 visitors since its opening in 2000 and garnered world-wide attention.
Visitors come from all over come with hopes of experiencing some of the strange phenomenon often associated with the San Luis Valley. The watchtower is located about 2.5 miles north of Hooper along the "Cosmic Highway" (State 17). Billboards along the side of the road point the way to a small ranch with a sign welcoming UFO visitors (see Additional Coordinates below). Admission is $2 per person or $5 per car and primitive camping is available for $10 a night.
Near the gift shop, a "healing garden" is located on the site of two vortexes: psychic portals to a parallel universe. [visit link] The point at which they intersect is known as the "Eye of Pisces". Both vortexes and the center point are visually marked with stones and visitors often bring trinkets to leave at the garden.
