Historic Mining Towns in Colorado Are Seeing a Design Hotel Renaissance

While walking in Leadville, Colorado—the highest incorporated city in the U.S. at 10,200 feet—Elsa Tharp and her historic preservation architect parents discovered a for-sale train depot from 1884. “True to form for my upbringing,” she recalls, “we attempted to sneak in and explore.”

In 2018, the family transformed the depot into an event space named Freight, and two years later, they introduced 13 design-centric cabins named S.L.umber Yard, drawing inspiration from the town’s Victorian miners’ cabins. Located about an hour southeast of Breckenridge, this project—winner of the design excellence award from the state chapter of the American Institute of Architects—represents just one of many stylish boutique hotels emerging in Colorado’s hidden mining towns.

The cabins at S.L.umber Yard feature custom furnishings crafted from 130-year-old wood salvaged from the site, along with historic photographs sourced from the local library and Colorado Mountain College. In a unique touch, each cabin is named after a sex worker from Leadville's tumultuous mining past, with their candid biographies available on the hotel’s website.

“It’s important to acknowledge all facets of a history to foster progress,” Tharp explains. “Focusing solely on the uplifting or successful stories obscures the community's potential for growth.” Yet there are remarkable tales of success, like that of “Red Stockings,” the daughter of a Boston merchant, who made over $100,000 during her time at the California Gulch mining camp and later supported her family with her wealth. Mollie May, known for her penchant for brawls with fellow brothel workers, survived a stray bullet thanks to a steel rib in her corset, once owned the only telephone in Leadville, and was recognized for her donations to local churches and hospitals. “By using a venue like Freight to honor their legacy,” Tharp states, “we can hopefully reflect on how we uplift current sex workers and victims of trafficking.”

Likewise, Freight highlights architectural narratives that might otherwise fade away, particularly the utilitarian sheds and support structures. Tharp notes that while more “charismatic” buildings, like the town’s under-renovation Tabor Opera House, attract most of the attention and funding, it is these functional structures that narrate the stories of the working class. “We were fortunate to have two outbuildings that were salvageable and could be reimagined,” Tharp explains, “which allows us to preserve that story.” The old lime shed now displays antiques discovered during the restoration process, while a lumber shed has been repurposed into a bandstand.

Another remarkable building has found new life as a hotel in Silverton, a former boomtown nestled in the San Juan Mountains, just 25 miles from Telluride. In a town with dirt roads and a population of around 600, one might not anticipate the presence of a chic hotel like the Wyman, which occupies a historic 1902 structure. This site has served many purposes over the years, including a mercantile, gas station, dentist’s office, mining company headquarters, and storage for the town’s now-defunct trolley.

After spending 16 years in New York, Colorado-native attorney Shane Fuhrman and his partner Haley Morgan moved to Silverton with aspirations of starting their own business. “The previous owners of the Wyman learned about our search and invited us for wine, discussing the possibility of entrusting us with this remarkable historic property,” Fuhrman recounts, who later became town mayor. “We were excited and honored, and we dived right in.”

They acquired the building in 2016 and took over two years to convert it from a B&B into a design hotel, steering clear of mountain kitsch in favor of a sleek Scandinavian aesthetic. They blended original features (arched windows, tin ceilings, a lobby safe) with luxurious velvet and brass accents, complemented by a soft palette of pinks, teals, and forest greens. A stylish 10-bed bunk room is also available, allowing guests to experience the communal vibe reminiscent of 19th-century miners.

“Last but certainly not least, we incorporate burros into much of our branding and imagery,” Fuhrman states. “Louis Wyman operated a mule cart business in Silverton and included a burro image on the capstone above the front door, which remains to this day.”

Situated twenty miles north of Silverton along the perilous Million Dollar Highway—don’t glance down!—Ouray was once a thriving silver and gold mining town, often referred to as “the Switzerland of America” due to the majestic mountains surrounding it. In 2020, the Imogene Hotel & Rooftop Bar opened its doors in a former saloon and brothel from the 1890s. This summer, Denver’s Zeppelin Development, known for the trendy Source Hotel, is set to reopen the iconic Western Hotel & Spa, one of the few remaining 19th-century wooden hotels in the area. Guests can expect original tin ceilings, stained glass, an onsite saloon, a general store, and a spa honoring the town’s famous hot springs.

Mining-themed accommodations are not limited to historic structures. Just outside Denver, Golden was established during the Pikes Peak Gold Rush of 1859 as a supply hub and territorial capital—named after miner Thomas L. Golden, not the precious metal itself. As of last June, the city proudly features the Eddy Taproom & Hotel, a newly constructed boutique hotel with 49 rooms on the former site of the Golden Fire Brick Company.

“The Eddy draws inspiration from Golden’s mining heritage, the region’s industrial background, and the adventurous spirit of the Rocky Mountain foothills,” explains general manager John Drugan. Guest rooms are decorated to reflect this history, featuring steel-riveted panels and salvaged-lumber desks that evoke the look of old mining carts, while hallways display black-and-white photographs of early faculty from the Colorado School of Mines in Golden.

“We incorporated RFID [radio-frequency identification] technology into a key fob made from recycled wood, resembling an old miner’s tag,” says Drugan. In the past, miners would carry numbered tags that they hung on hooks outside the shaft; if all tags were returned at the end of the day, it signaled that everyone was safely above ground. “We thought this was a clever way to blend modern technology with the rich history the Eddy is built upon.” Drugan also mentions that these make for great souvenirs.

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Reserve now: Western Hotel & Spa (Ouray, CO)