Statue of Old Mose, King of the Grizzlies.

Statue of Old Mose the Grizzly Bear

The 12-foot-tall "King of the Grizzlies" was the largest and "most dreaded" bear ever shot in Colorado, according to the plaque on the base of his life-size statue. Named "Old Mose" because he would "mosey" wherever he pleased, the bear was both hated and feared for what the plaque vaguely describes as "a myriad of depredations." These included the claimed deaths of over 800 cattle and three bear hunters.

Old Mose weighed over 1,300 pounds when he was shot dead by two more bear hunters -- who used a pack of dogs to corner him -- on April 30, 1904. His body, they said, had accumulated over 100 bullet wounds.

Fast forward a century. With no more grizzly bears in Colorado it was easy to love Old Mose. He became the mascot of the Adams State Grizzlies sports teams, and in 2006 the college erected this bronze in his honor.

Statue of Old Mose the Grizzly Bear

Address:: 1607 First St., Alamosa, CO
Directions:: West side of town. From US-285/Main St. turn north at the gas station (no stoplight) onto Edgemont Blvd. Drive to the stop sign. You'll see the bear statue ahead and to the right, on the north side of First St.

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