The Museums of the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado was established in 1998 in a collaborative effort for the museums in the Valley. The www.museumtrail.org website went live that same year providing the first internet access for all the Valley's museums.

This collaboration and support of each museum has allowed these small, mostly volunteer-run museums to keep their doors open and continue their efforts to preserve, protect and celebrate the history of the San Luis Valley and Southern Colorado.