Beloved Colorado Mountain Lodge Closes After 57 Years

Echo Lake Lodge (1926), Echo Lake Park, Arapaho National Forest, Mt Evans, Colorado, USA

Photo: Getty Images

A Colorado mountain lodge that's been around for decades permanently closed its doors on Sunday, October 2, according to KUSA. Reporters learned that Denver Mountain Parks didn't renew the lease for Echo Lake Lodge, which has been serving locals and tourists for 57 years.

"Look at this building, look at this restaurant," part-owner Bill Carle said. "I mean there's not many like it anywhere."

Located on the peak of Mount Evans and 14,000 feet above the ground, the historic lodge was built 96 years ago. Carle's grandmother bought the lodge in 1956 from the Broadmoor Hotel, selling doughnuts, pies, and all kinds of memorable items in its tiny gift shop.

The news of the lease shocked Carle, who says he's the oldest member of the family business. They recently had to shutter the longtime restaurant due to staffing issues.

"Caught us completely off-guard, we had already ordered the merchandise for the season, about $300,000 worth. You order early and heavily because of the supply-chain issues,” Carle explained, unsure about the lodge's future.

That didn't stop families and visitors from bringing their own food and excitement to the iconic tourist spot. Despite the upsetting closure, Carle had one final message to everyone who supported Echo Lake Lodge:

“We made a lot of people happy along the way. We've had a great life along the way. And that's kept our family together. It keeps the family together when you have a family business... And for all of those people who brought their grandmothers and their families up to look at the leaves and always had lunch at Echo Lake or always had a piece of pie at Echo Lake, I’m so sorry and I’m heartbroken. That we can’t do that this year for you, it hurts.”

You can read more about this story on KUSA's website.


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