Colorado has a long rich tradition of growing potatoes dating from the early 1880’s and today is one of the top production areas in the US. The San Luis Valley is unique in that it is one of the largest, high altitude (7,600 ft.), irrigated crop production areas in the United States. The area is surrounded by 12,000-14,000 foot mountains. The Colorado State University potato program is based at the San Luis Valley Research Center which is engaged in various potato research programs include breeding and selection, pathology, crop management and field physiology, postharvest physiology, and seed certification.