The History of Iron Mountain Hot Springs
Celebrating 10 Years of Iron Mountain Hot Springs!
The Iron Mountain Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, has a rich history long before the property’s first commercial operation opened in 1896. Nomadic Ute Indian tribes originally inhabited the area and frequently bathed and soaked in the hot mineral waters.
The Modern Era: A Look Back at the Last 10 Years
August 2014 — Iron Mountain Hot Springs LLC, co-owned by Steve and Jeanne Beckley and Mogli and Coop Cooper, announced plans to redevelop the historic property on 13 acres across from the Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park tram base.
October 20, 2014 — After receiving unanimous approval from the City of Glenwood Springs, groundbreaking began on the new Iron Mountain Hot Springs. The ambitious project featured a family pool and 17 smaller mineral hot springs pools, along with a bathhouse, concessions, and retail operations. The design included naturally shaped pools blending into hillside landscaping beside the Colorado River, a distinctive watchtower reminiscent of the 1890s structure, and heated walkways connecting the pools using geothermal spring water.
July 15, 2015 — Iron Mountain Hot Springs officially opened to the public, beginning a new chapter in the property’s storied history.
Response to Colorado’s newest hot springs was overwhelmingly positive, and the business has thrived. Their thoughtful enhancements and the dedication of the management team and employees have paid off. Accolades include multiple locals’ choice awards each summer, such as best date spot, best local attraction, best place to view the sunset, and best tourist spot.
May 18, 2023 — WorldSprings opened as an adults-only wellness destination for guests 21 and over. This premium experience features 2 freshwater pools with waterfalls, a cold plunge pool, and 10 World Experience pools inspired by famous hot springs from around the globe. The Sandbar Café was also introduced, offering elevated dining options including poke bowls and ceviche alongside favorites from the Sopris Café.
2025 — Celebrating Our 10th Anniversary: A decade of creating unforgettable experiences, fostering wellness, and continuing the rich tradition of natural healing that has defined this special location for over 125 years.
Historic Milestones
The following timeline outlines the rich heritage of this special property, from its earliest development as a health spa in the 1890s through its various transformations over more than a century. Each era brought new owners, innovations, and purposes, but the healing power of these natural mineral springs has remained constant throughout.
February 27, 1896 — West Glenwood Health Spa: “Sheriff Ware has bought the land below town, on the south side of the river, from Joe Taylor. Bob feels that he has made a great purchase as there is a large hot spring on the land.” (Avalanche Echo)
Guests staying on the upper floors of the brick mansion could stroll along the river bank, go fishing, enjoy views of Mt. Sopris and Red Mountain, and take a mineral bath, all with a glass of ice-cold buttermilk for 25 cents. Ware sold the spa to George “Wash” Allen and his wife Gertie in 1908.
April 17, 1908 — Wash Allen Bathhouse: “George ‘Wash’ Allen has taken possession of the Bob Ware bathhouse, which he purchased a few days ago. He will be assisted in the work by his cousin, John McAlester, and niece, Miss Welty.” (Daily Avalanche)
They ran the Wash Allen Bathhouse until 1938. It reportedly thrived, even during the Great Depression. Allen earned his nickname, Wash, by washing his guests’ dirty linen on the lawn daily. In 1938, the Allens sold the place to Louis Nicholson, a machinist from Leadville who’d been coming to Glenwood Springs for several years to bathe in the mineral waters to improve his health. As the economy improved, Nicholson added five cabins to house guests on the grounds.
March 24, 1938 — “Wash Allen, owner of the mineral baths and springs just west of Glenwood Springs for the past 30 years, announced this week he had sold his business to Louis Nicholson of Leadville…Mr. Nicholson started coming to Glenwood several years ago to take baths to improve his health and became so interested in their curative and medicinal purposes he asked to purchase them when Mr. Allen retired.” (Glenwood Post)
He sold the resort in 1943 to the Gamba family from Kansas, who was visiting the area for its therapeutic hot springs mineral waters. The family’s vacation resulted in a stay that has not yet ended. Humbert “Hum” J. Gamba ran it as the Gamba Mineral Springs for about 30 years.
1943 — Humbert “Hum” J. Gamba purchased the property and operated it as the Gamba Mineral Springs for approximately 30 years.
1955 — The Saturday Evening Post recognized the Gamba Mineral Springs as one of the “places to go” in the country.
July 18, 1963 — “Dr. Charles A Graves of the Logan Chiropractic College faculty, St. Louis, Mo., has announced that Glenwood Springs will be the site of a chiropractic center to be located at the Gamba Mineral Springs in West Glenwood. The Chiropractic Center will operate in conjunction with H.J. Gamba, to provide the public with hot mineral water baths, massage, physical therapy and chiropractic treatments.” (The Glenwood Springs Sage)
July 5, 1967 — Dr. Charles A. Graves purchased Gamba Mineral Springs from Mr. and Mrs. H.J. Gamba. “The attractive site of the spa provides river frontage views of both Mt. Sopris and Red Mountain. The springs were developed and the bathhouse built in 1895.” (Sage Reminder)
February 28, 1968 — The property was renamed Glenwood Health Spa under Dr. Charles A. Graves’ ownership. “The popular spa consists of mineral pools and cabins and is located just west of Glenwood Springs on the Colorado River.” (Glenwood Post)
July 27, 1992 — New operators Roy Marker and Mike Retelsdorf revitalized the facility as Fort Defiance Bathhouse. “The bathhouse has been remodeled and refurbished…ready once more to soothe and relax sore muscles as well as rejuvenate the spirit.” (Glenwood Post)
1996 — The spa closed and remaining structures were demolished for a proposed water park project that never materialized.
2006-2007 — Development plans for condominiums on the property were proposed but never realized. (Post Independent)
International Recognition
Iron Mountain Hot Springs has twice been recognized by the U.K.’s Luxury Travel Guide: in 2017 as the Innovative Wellness Centre of the Year in Colorado and in 2018 as the Wellness Centre of the Year for the U.S.
Make sure to read our other articles in the Iron Mountain Hot Springs Media Room.