Colorado’s San Luis Valley: Premier Potato Powerhouse

November 2, 2026 | 5 min to read

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Consumer demand continues to shift toward smaller potato packs, with 3-, 4-, and 5-pound bags gaining popularity as shoppers move away from traditional 10- and 15-pound sizes. PHOTO COURTESY POTATOES USA

The valley has become one of the top potato-producing regions.

Tucked snugly among Colorado’s mountain ranges is one of the country’s major potato-growing regions. The San Luis Valley’s unique combination of fertile soils, favorable climate, and long growing season allows farmers to produce high-quality potatoes across a wide range of varieties, while its central location supports distribution to markets nationwide.

“At more than 7,600 feet above sea level, the San Luis Valley is one of the premier potato-growing regions in North America,” says Les Alderete, executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Monte Vista, CO, and general manager of Skyline Potato Company, in Center, CO, a division of JV Smith Cos., in Yuma, AZ.

“Our warm days, cool nights, and nutrient-rich soils set our region up perfectly to grow amazing potatoes.”

The 85-year-old Colorado Potato Administrative Committee serves San Luis Valley growers and shippers. The committee advises emphasizing the nutritional benefits of potatoes.

“Nutrition is top of mind for most consumers these days,” says Tara Artho, executive director of the Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, adding a medium potato is naturally fat-, cholesterol-, and gluten-free, while providing complex carbohydrates, vitamin C, fiber, and more potassium than a banana. “Studies have shown how good potatoes are for athletes, and those with a regular workout routine.”

Currently, the potato committee is emphasizing nutrition through a marketing agreement with the Colorado Rapids soccer team and its mascot, Rapids Man.

HARVEST, DIVERSITY

Their long season allows Colorado growers to harvest 2.3 billion pounds of potatoes a year, which places the state among the leaders clustered behind Idaho and adjacent Eastern Washington.

Colorado’s San Luis Valley produces about 2.3 billion pounds of potatoes annually, with a long growing season supporting a diverse crop led by russets, followed by yellow, red, and fingerling varieties. PRODUCE BUSINESS/AIMEE TENZEK PHOTO

Potato harvest in the San Luis Valley mirrors the varieties grown nationally, with russets followed by yellow potatoes, then also reds and fingerlings.

“The San Luis Valley offers a lot of product diversity in those 2 billion pounds,” says Alderete. “Russets are still king in this area, but growers produce more than 70 potato varieties, including russets, reds, yellows, fingerlings and specialty potatoes.”

Additionally, the state’s internationally recognized potato breeding program at Colorado State University works to introduce new varieties that address changing market demands.

In recent years, there has been a shift in the size of bags most demanded by consumers. “Over the last five years consumers have demanded smaller packs — 3-, 4-, and 5-pound packs are in high demand,” says Alderete. “They are replacing the 10- and 15-pound bags from past years.”

Letting consumers know where the potatoes were grown may also help in merchandising.

“Being able to say, ‘Locally Grown’ is a huge advantage these days,” says Artho. “That is what shoppers look for. It makes them feel good to know their dollars are staying within their community. I would love to work with a retailer that wanted signage to draw attention to what the consumers already want.

“We get calls all the time asking how they can get a Colorado potato. That leads me to believe retailers may be missing an opportunity to promote what they already have on their shelves.”

— Tara Artho, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Monte Vista, CO

“We get calls all the time asking how they can get a Colorado potato. That leads me to believe retailers may be missing an opportunity to promote what they already have on their shelves.”

GROWN FOR FRESH MARKET

The Colorado harvest is shipped almost entirely to the fresh market. “We are the second-largest fresh potato-growing area in the United States and are home to around 100 multigenerational farming families dedicated to producing high-quality potatoes for both domestic and export markets,” says Alderete.

“We are the second-largest fresh potato-growing area in the United States and are home to around 100 multigenerational farming families dedicated to producing high-quality potatoes for both domestic and export markets.”

— Les Alderete, Colorado Potato Administrative Committee, Monte Vista, CO, and Skyline Potato Company, Center, CO

Around 95% of the crop is shipped to the fresh market, and 20% of that is bound for Mexico.

Location benefits San Luis Valley potato growers, as they are closer to cities in the East and Midwest than Idaho and Washington, and closer than the Red River Valley to markets on the West Coast.

“Geography is another competitive advantage we have here in Colorado,” says Alderete. “Shipping a Colorado potato often means shorter transit times and lower freight costs.”

San Luis Valley potatoes have developed strong loyalty among Colorado consumers, and the industry rewards that loyalty.

“Each year, we hold a Potato Festival with craft and food vendors, farm tours, a professional chef competition featuring multiple Colorado-native chefs, numerous free games for kids, and free baked potatoes,” says Artho. “We are celebrating our 20th anniversary.”