Greg,
Regarding your quote: "This brings up a question. Why doesn't the railroad build some sort of C&TS motel there since there is so little in the way of options. Could be additional income and provide lodging for train riders. Could be seasonal or all year. Just sayin!!!"
I suspect that the state or states competing with private enterprise would be problematic. True, Antonito needs some better tourist infrastructure, but if you read Billy Elbrock's notes from the last commission meeting it appears that attempts at reaching out to the Antonito business community haven't gotten much response. I'm not sure how you fix this one, since it's a classic "chicken and egg" situation. Add to that a lack of qualified labor and who is going to invest in building a hotel there?
Driving to and from Alamosa is clearly the best answer at present, particularly if you don't speed when driving through La Jara!
Michael Allen