Photo and story by Kenneth Jessen The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad reached La Veta Pass in 1877 on its way westward into the San Luis Valley. At 9,390 feet, it was the highest railroad pass in the United States at that time. A stone depot was constructed at the pass along with other railroad facilities. A small community grew consisting mainly of railroad workers and their families. When conversion from narrow gauge to standard gauge was taking place over much of the system, the railroad elected to construct a new line over Veta Pass south of La Veta Pass.…