Colorado Chautauqua
Boulder, Colorado
900 Baseline Road, Boulder, Colorado 80302
Original Property Opened in 1898
Historic Hotels of America member since 2026
With spectacular views of Colorado’s Flatirons Mountains and resort activities for every type of traveler, Colorado Chautauqua is a beloved destination resort. The historic hotel was opened in 1898 as part of the Chautauqua adult education and nature movement, a social program founded in 1874 in upstate New York to provide communities with lifelong enrichment opportunities. By the Progressive era, resorts associated with Chautauquas had spread across the country. Today, Colorado Chautauqua is a National Historic Landmark with 26 acres of land, 40 miles of trails, and 62 charming historic cottages and lodges, including the beautifully restored Missions House Lodge, Mary H. Galey Cottage, and Columbine Lodge. Like the original “Chautauquans,” guests today can enjoy extensive art, nature, cultural, and wellness experiences, all just minutes from the city of Boulder, Colorado.
Discover
- Step back in time on a tour of Colorado Chautauqua. Both guided and self-guided tours tell the heritage of the hotel’s structures, including the Auditorium, Dining Hall, historic cottages, Columbine Lodge, Academic Hall, General Store, and Mary H. Galey Cottage, all available to guests. The original blackboards are still used in the former Academic Hall to inform visitors of the weather and events.
- Discover the original Chautauqua Auditorium, constructed in just 53 days and opened during the resort’s inaugural season in 1898. The imposing historic venue was one of the first places in the nation to show moving pictures. The spectacular timber-framed venue continues to host films and concerts year-round, including performances by the Colorado Music Festival Symphony.
- Become a part of the living history of Colorado Chautauqua by attending an event at the Community House. The Community House was built in 1918 to serve as the “living room” for Chautauqua visitors. The structure is in Craftsman style, with a raised rubble stone foundation, stucco walls, and a fireplace in every room.
Explore
- Explore Colorado Chautauqua, a beautiful 26-acre National Historic Landmark campus under the Flatirons Mountains. Stroll through the grounds, hike on the 40-miles of trails, and learn about how the historic lodging got its start with the 19th- and 20th-century Chautauqua Movement.
- View the public art installations, located indoors and outdoors throughout the campus. Colorado Chautauqua partners with local artists and nonprofits to curate unique exhibits throughout the year, including decorated bears statues, birdhouses, and prints of historic photography.
- Visit Boulder, Colorado. Historic neighborhoods like The Hill and Downtown are filled with local breweries, public murals, artisanal shops, and fine dining. The “Park to Park” shuttle operates from the center of Boulder to Chautauqua on summer weekends.
Experience
- Experience the relaxing and peaceful setting at Colorado Chautauqua. Relax in the gardens, rent sports equipment and board games, or join guided Yoga and Qigong classes on site.
- Join the community at Chautauqua events, hosted on-site. Summer music festivals, the autumnal Festival del Sol, and holiday markets are just three of the events that bring guests together.
- Experience the diverse landscape in the Flatirons Mountains. The historic campus and surrounding area are home to over 500 species of trees and many wildflower varieties. Guests can join gentle nature walks, geology tours, or rewilding hikes arranged by the resort. Or try bouldering and rock-climbing in the nearby Eldorado Canyon.
Taste
- Taste farm fresh dining at Colorado Chautauqua’s Dining Hall. Alongside bistro-style favorites, the menus feature Colorado dishes like the elk sausage board, bison burgers, and Colorado pork green chili. In tribute to the area’s ranching and orchard roots, Chautauqua Dining Hall still serves cornbread and applesauce with evening meals.
- Taste local products and homemade ice cream from the General Store. The General Store is a restored cottage that serves espresso, ice cream, locally produced teas, candy, and more. Pick up supplies for after a morning hike or a picnic on the lawn at Chautauqua Park.
- Join a beer tour in Boulder, Colorado to taste local brews. The city is home to Colorado’s first microbrewery, as well as the Brewers Association and the American Homebrewers Association.
FEATURED ACCOMMODATIONS
Featured Offers
Book the Best Available Rate at this property on HistoricHotels.org and receive a complimentary one-year family membership (a $30 value) to the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
