The purpose of ACAD is to provide for the treatment and transportation of the sick, injured, or otherwise incapacitated or helpless.  The District does not discriminate against those in need of the ambulance service due to race, sex, religion, national origin or the ability to pay for said services.

The Alamosa County Ambulance District (ACAD) was created by an election on April 30, 1991, in order to provide the only advanced life support ambulance service in the area.  At that time, it was estimated that there would be 800 transports per year for a population of 12,749 residents in the District.  The concern was inadequate funding for replacement of the existing ambulances.  In 2020, there were 2,740 runs and an ambulance cost $221,000.

The first directors were Lyle Hood, Paul Wagner, Jack Felmlee, Paul Herman, and Robert Linden, M.D.  ACAD is a quasi-municipal corporation and political subdivision of the State of Colorado, and has all the powers of a public or quasi-municipal corporation.

ACAD does charge for services rendered to patients transported.  ACAD contracts with SLV Health to provide paramedics to operate the ambulances.