Cute, soft and serious business: The truth behind raising alpacas

Alpaca lovers can expect show rings, pronking (trot-hopping) and selfies with the fluffy and gentle animals at the Alpaca Owners Association National Alpaca Show this weekend. But for fans of ultra-soft socks, sweaters and scarves, the delicate alpaca fiber itself is the real showstopper.
“It’s a particularly nice fiber that’s warmer than sheep wool,” said Judy Stevens, co-owner of Stevens Llama Tique and Suri Alpacas in Cañon City. “It’s not itchy. Mos