It’s “officially” summer after the summer solstice this past week. Although, let’s be real, we all know summer really kicks off after Memorial Day. Putting together this newsletter has certainly sent me down some rabbit holes (which I’m prone to do), but this one was a fun one checking out the former Troutdale in the Pines resort in Evergreen. There’s all kinds of cool history around our neck of the woods, and it’s been a blast finding new stuff out myself. Hope you enjoy, and are able to get out there and partake in the fun stuff going on around town.
-Tyler

TROUTDALE IN THE PINES

Folks have likely heard of well known resorts in Colorado, such as The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and The Stanley Hotel in Estes Park. Yet, a lesser-known resort that rivaled both was located right here in our foothills backyard. Evergreen has long been a crown jewel of the Colorado foothills, and as railroads connected the lush pine forests of Colorado to wealthy east coast travelers in the late 1800s, the secret got out. The most famous resort Evergreen has ever seen was called Troutdale in the Pines, located just upriver of Evergreen Lake.

The property that would eventually become the grand resort originally started in 1881 as a family retreat with a handful of log cabins for fishing, hunting, and enjoying the beautiful scenery. When Harry Sidles, a wealthy automobile dealer from Nebraska, got word the property could be purchased, he jumped at the opportunity. With backing from a group of investors, Sidles kicked off construction in 1919 of a luxury four story hotel, with 100 guest rooms, ballroom, dining room, billiard room, bar, barber shop, drugstore, and bakery. Construction reportedly cost $600,000 (about $11 million in today’s dollars), and was made of native stone and timber to “disturb nature as little as possible.”

The hotel opened in 1920 to great acclaim. Horseback riding, golf, fishing, and boating in the private man-made lake attracted the wealthy tourists from both coasts. In 1926, Sidles actually donated the golf course to the city of Denver, under the stipulation that the course always remain open to the public. This now makes up the Evergreen Golf Course that can still be played today!

Famed movie stars such as Mae West, Clark Gable, and the Marx Brothers enjoyed staying at the hotel and taking in the splendor of the Rocky Mountains. Staying at the Troutdale was the “in” thing to do for the rich and famous of the time, and it’s even rumored that Theodore Roosevelt spent time at the property.

Always more a labor of love than a true business venture, Mr. Sidles and his investors were constantly upgrading the property and delivering a top notch experience to guests. A nephew of Sidles was quoted as calling the hotel “sort of a rich man’s plaything” for his uncle. Because of its financial performance (or lack thereof), when Sidles passed away in 1936, the hotel unfortunately had to be sold to pay off debts and estate taxes. New owners struggled with the same challenges - maintaining such an elaborate property in a remote location proved financially unsustainable.

Over the next few decades, the resort exchanged hands multiple times, with many attempts at repositioning the hotel, yet none with any sustainable success. In 1994, the long abandoned hotel was completely torn down. Personal residences and other housing development now occupy the former site of the once-glorious hotel, leaving virtually no trace of what was once Jefferson County’s premier tourist attraction.

Losing beautiful, historical buildings and places hurts, but this report about fishing the property in the early 1900s might sting the most: “Judge Butler caught 25 trout in 120 minutes.”

BIKE

This Wednesday, June 25th, marks Colorado’s annual Bike to Work Day - and it’s time to ditch the car keys for a day and grab your trusty two wheeled steed. The statewide celebration takes place on the fourth Wednesday in June every year, drawing tens of thousands of Colorado commuters who swap their cars for two wheels.

There are plenty of stations set up across the front range (map your route here) serving up breakfasts, coffee, and overall good vibes from 6:30-9am. You don’t even need to be going to work - feel free to participate wherever you’re riding!

Everyone says they want to be more active. Well here’s your chance to kick start the day with some movement and breathing in that cool, crisp Colorado air. Studies show bike commuters have the happiest commutes, so find out for yourself!

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TUESDAY

Armory Parking Lot, Golden- Golden Bike Cruise, 5:30-9pm. Disco Themed

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Whiskey on Washington: An Evening with Angels Envy, 5:30pm. Save your spot

Virginia Canyon, Idaho Springs- JeffCo Mountain Bike Club Weekly Ride, 5:45pm. Get out there

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Open Bluegrass Pick Night, 6-9pm. Jam w/ friends

Green Mountain Brewery, Lakewood- Weekly Run Club, 6pm. Run, then beers

Behind the Scenes Taphouse, Littleton- Bugs & Brews w/ Ascent Fly Fishing, 6-8:30pm. Match the hatch

WEDNESDAY

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Live music with Chrispy, 4-8pm.

The Golden Hotel, Golden- Wednesdays on the Creek Summer Music Series featuring Michael Kirkpatrick, 5-8pm. Check it out

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Baby Goat Night, 5-8pm. Cute

Colorado Railroad Museum, Golden- Golden Summer Jam: Community celebration with bands, bites, & beers, 5-9:30pm. Get tickets

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Open Bluegrass Jam, 6-9pm. Join the fun

Miners Saloon, Golden- Live music Wednesdays, 6-9pm.

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Country Line Dancing with Jeff Goodwin and the Front Range Cowboys, 7-11pm. Boot scootin’ boogie

THURSDAY

Golden Public Library, Golden- Sidewalk Astronomy: Sungazing, 10:30am-12pm. Up close look

Mountain Home, Evergreen- Spell & Hide Meet & Greet Trunk Show, 3-6pm. Calling all interior designers

Morris & Mae Market, Golden- Golden Startup Happy Hour, 4pm. Share Ideas

Black Fox Provisions, Evergreen- Flatbed Sessions: Live Music with Chaz DePaulo, 5:30-7:30pm. BYO Campchair

Mount Vernon Canyon Club, Golden- Eco Jazz Gala 2025, 5:30-9pm. Magnificent Night Out 

Runner’s Roost, Golden- Weekly Run Club, meet at 6pm

BP Run Co, Wheat Ridge- Weekly run club, starting at 6pm. Lace ‘em up

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- Music by the Mesa: Revelator, A Tribute to Tedeschi Truck Band, 6-9pm. Rock on

Earth Sweet Boutique, Golden- Herbal Focaccia Make & Take Class, 6-8pm. Yummy

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Community Jam Circle, 6-9pm. Bring your instrument

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Thank you Thursday. Locals get 10% off all day while the kitchen is open, and a great warm up for Open Mic Night 👇️ 

Cactus Jack’s Saloon, Evergreen- Almost Famous Open Mic Night, starting at 7pm

FRIDAY

The Golden Mill, Golden- Rooftop Yoga, 9:30-10:30am. Class & a drink

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- Live music with Juniper Blue, 6-9pm. Indie Folk

Aspen peak Cellars, Bailey- LoBay Jazz Night with Rocky Mountain Jazz Rebellion, 6:30pm. Few tickets left

Snowpack Underground, Conifer- Tyron Benoit Band, 7pm. High energy

SATURDAY

Golden Library Parking Lot, Golden- Golden Farmers Market, 8am-1pm. Fresh

Parfet Park, Golden- Yoga in the Park, 9-10am.

Hiwan Heritage Park, Evergreen- Outdoor Yoga, 9-10am. All Levels Welcome

Evergreen North Shopping Center, Evergreen- Evergreen Mountain Arts Festival, 10am-5pm. No blank walls

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Saturday Morning Yoga, 10-11am. Flow state

Snyder Mountain, Evergreen- 2-Day Evergreen Nature Photography workshop. Hone your skills

Over Yonder Brewing, Golden- PhanArt Present Stop Go market, 12-5pm. Good stuff

The Golden Outpost, Golden- Buffalo Bill Giddy Up Fundraising Gala, 5pm. Saddle Up

Center for the Arts, Evergreen- Art Bar: Summer Lovin’ Stained Glass, 6-8pm. Sip & Craft

The Woodcellar, Evergreen- Live music with Jonas & Da Kru, 9pm. Late show

SUNDAY

Olde Town Square, Arvada- Arvada Farmer’s Market, 9am-1:30pm. Fresh Produce

Evergreen North Shopping Center, Evergreen- Evergreen Mountain Arts Festival, 10am-5pm. No blank walls

The Golden Outpost, Golden- Country Market, 10am-3pm. Howdy folks

Little Bear Saloon, Evergreen- Live music with Dakota Blonde, 1pm. Afternoon jams

Mountain Toad Brewing, Golden- Board Game Night, 5pm-close. Have fun

MONDAY

New Terrain Brewing Co, Golden- Yoga on Tap 🧘 Yoga from 6-7pm, beers anytime. Get your ticket

Golden Game Guild, Golden- Teach Me to Play Mondays, 6-9pm. Learn new games

Troutdale in the Pines Bar room. Now this Art Deco styled lounge is a place to enjoy a good cocktail.

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See you around the next bend!