Colorado Trail House offers something new to the traveler in a home that rings with echoes of the past.
Steeped in history, Leadvillle’s lively past is palpable on every visit to the town, and whether a visitor cares a whit about history or not, it’s all around them.
I have been visiting Leadville for nearly a decade, and on my most recent trip, I experienced many new Leadville sites and sounds that held echoes of past visits. This is the first in several posts about my latest Leadville adventure.
The first harmonization of the past and present was my booking at Colorado Trail House, a brand new lodging destination in Leadville that’s located in a not so new building. The Victorian home at 127 E. 8th Street has stood for more than 100 years, and while researching Colorado Trail House online before my visit, I realized that I’d been there before.
My husband, Ryan, took me on a surprise trip to Leadville for my birthday in 2007 (the year I founded HeidiTown), and we had stayed in this big blue mansion when it was a bed and breakfast.
That was my first trip to Leadville, and I distinctly remember waking up on my birthday, October 10, to six inches of fresh snow. I was ecstatic. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest and having lived in Colorado only a short time, snow was still a novelty – much to my husband’s amusement, the first snowfall of the season still turns me into a 7-year-old on Christmas morning.
Today, Colorado Trail House offers unique accommodations to Leadville visitors. It’s a place where you can choose a communal living style or stay in a room with a private entrance.
There are six rooms in the main house and a Bunk House opening later this summer that will offer shared accommodations. Guests can bunk in the Bunk House, designed after the European hostel model, for just $25/night.
Guest are welcome to use all communal areas in the house, including the kitchen that comes stocked with breakfast supplies to which guests may help themselves to on the first morning of their stay (all house guidelines can be found in a folder in your room). Outside, in the shady courtyard, guests may converse around the chiminea or soak in the hot tub.
I stayed in the Fishbowl, the room with a private entrance. It also has a king size pedestal bed, bathroom with jacuzzi tub and is large enough for a dance party – although I’d encourage you to dance softly and quietly so as not to disturb other guests.
The location of Colorado Trail House is perfect for exploring downtown or for quick access to the Mineral Loop Trail. It’s also just a literal stones throw away from Periodic Brewing Company, the world’s highest craft brewery at over 10,000 feet above sea level.
Colorado Trail House is a comfy and friendly lodging option in Leadville and with rates that range from $25 to $90 a night, the price can’t be beat. Whether you’re visiting Leadville to run a marathon or explore museums, this is an ideal spot to stay.
Thank you to Leadville Twin Lakes & the National Mining Hall of Fame & Museum for hosting me on this visit.
