In the hills outside of Evergreen lies a property and business operation that’s been around for over a century, and recently came on the market. We went digging…

The Brook Forest Inn has been around since the early 1900s. It began as a small cabin and homestead. Eventually Edwin Welz and his wife Riggi –both European immigrants – acquired the property sometime around 1910-1915. Edwin continued his work as a pastry chef in Denver while they got the property up and running.

The Welz’ vision was grand. Essentially a “Little Switzerland” of Colorado. They set about transforming the property into a European style mountain resort, inspired by Riggi’s native land. They renovated the original cabin, landscaped the grounds, and began constructing what became the Brook Forest Inn. It officially opened in 1919.

The architecture looks wonderfully out of place in the Colorado canyon. The combination of Swiss Chalet, Tutor, and Rustic styles, paired with unique Colorado quartz stone, gives it a feel entirely it’s own.

This wasn’t just a little roadside inn. The Welzes added guest cottages and a riding stable. County records indicate the resort eventually included multiple chalet-style cottages and could accommodate up to 100 guests. The inn developed a strong reputation for its food, with Edwin Welz taking his culinary experience from the famed Brown Palace and applying it high in the hills above Denver. It’s heyday came during the 1940s and 50’s, when the Inn drew vacationers from Colorado and around the country. The property played an important piece in the early Colorado tourism period. And apparently some pretty famous people found their way up Cub Creek, including Franklin Roosevelt and Molly Brown. After Edwin died in ‘56, the property was sold and eventually chopped up into smaller pieces. Multiple owners – with various visions – have come and gone over the years.

But now, with the property back on the market, maybe some enterprising folks want to return the property to her glory?

P.S. There’s a bit of a colorful past here, with ghost stories circling, which we covered last year during spooky season.

Maybe you’re just in the market for your own Tutor style estate, tucked into the hills of Evergreen. Well, look no further. This home might check a few of those boxes.

SUNRISE: 6:42 AM
SUNSET: 7:09 PM
FORECAST: Pretty, pretty nice - we got highs in the 70s this week
BEST DAY TO GET OUTSIDE: Saturday or Sunday

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Golden Mash Up Hour local series continues, with this months theme: Where the West Lives. Dust off your boots, and head out to down for fun and exclusive pop up specials at businesses all around town. Check out the full lineup.

Center for the Arts Evergreen, Evergreen- Weekly farmers market, 10am-2pm. Market day

Evergreen Lake House, Evergreen- Taste of Evergreen: local eats, brews, and wine, happy hour 4:30pm / general 5-7:30pm. Taste it

The Golden Mill, Golden- GHS Boys Golf fundraiser, 5-8pm. Tee off

Jeffco MTB Club, Golden- Group ride, Deer Creek Canyon, 5:30pm. Ride calendar

Hiwan Heritage Park, Evergreen- Outdoor yoga among the historic homestead grounds, 6pm. Stretch out

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

Buffalo Rose, Golden- Golden Beer Talks: Morrison, Ancient Landscapes. Doors open 6pm. Dinosaurs

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

Downtown Golden- Golden Hour Mash Up Series: Where the West Lives, 6-9pm. See full lineup

New Terrain Brewing, Golden- WanderFest '26: 10th anniversary bash, live music and beer all weekend — kicks off noon today, runs through Saturday night. Party on

Runners Roost, Golden- Golden Run Club, all paces welcome, 6-7pm. Lace up

Holidaily Brewing, Golden- Make your own beaded plant hanger, 6-8pm. Craft it

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

Tommyknocker Brewery, Idaho Springs- Live music w/ David Barber - bluesy folk rock vibe, 5-7pm.

Columbine Cafe, Golden- Big Hooray Bluegrass, live music, 6pm. Pickin’

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Starry Mountain High canvas painting class, 6-9pm. Paint night

The Golden Mill, Golden- Rooftop barre class, 9:30-10:30am. Get moving

Cheese Ranch Artisan Deli, Golden- Fondue Friday, reservations recommended, 5pm. Dip in

Denver Kickers Sport Club, Golden- Oktoberfest 2026, free family fest, Fri 5-9pm & Sat 1-9pm. Prost

Downtown Georgetown, Georgetown- Leaf Peepers Market, Fri & Sat 10am-3pm. Shop local

Chatfield Farms, Littleton- Corn Maze season opens, runs Fri-Sun through November 1, 9am-5pm. Get lost

SOVRN Performance Lab, Golden- HYROX race simulation, 6-11am. Sweat it out

Elk Meadow Open Space, Evergreen- Miles for MALT community hike, 9:30-11am. Ramble On

Indian Hills- 3rd Annual Indian Hills Arts & Crafts Fair, 11am. Shop local

Buchanan Park, Evergreen- Evergreen Oktoberfest: stein hoisting, dachshund derby, polka band, 12-4pm. Prost, Evergreen

Slaymaker Cellars, Idaho Springs- Meadery tour & tasting flight, 3pm. What’s Mead?

Golden- 20th Annual Golden Gallop race. Register

Snowpack Taproom, Conifer- Cottage Market, 8am-12pm. Shop local

Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Golden- Foothills Animal Shelter Fall Market, craft vendors + tasty bites, 10am-1pm. Puppies

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

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

Golden Community Center, Golden- Baby Goat Yoga at Lions Park, 45-minute session with bottle-fed goats, 9-10am. Goats!

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

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

Exploring the hills.

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See you around the next bend!