Dunton Hot Springs, Colorado facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Dunton Hot Springs |
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Dunton Hot Springs cabin, c. 1880s
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| Location | Dolores, Colorado |
| Coordinates | 37°46′17″N 108°05′34″W / 37.77139°N 108.09278°W |
| Elevation | 8,873 feet (2,704 m) |
| Type | geothermal |
| Temperature | 108 °F (42 °C) |
Dunton Hot Springs, also known as Dunton, Colorado, is a special place in the mountains of southwestern Colorado. It's a collection of old log cabins located high up, about 8,600 feet (2,621 meters) above sea level. This area is known for its warm, natural mineral springs. Today, Dunton is mostly a ghost town, but it has a rich history. It's about 35 miles (56 km) northeast of Cortez, Colorado and 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Telluride.
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A Look Back: Dunton's History
Early Mining Days
In 1885, a miner named Horatio Dunton settled here. The area was perfect for miners because it had lots of valuable minerals. Plus, the natural hot springs were a big draw. Important mines like Smuggler, Emma, and American were located nearby.
By 1919, most people had left Dunton. It was very hard to move the mined ore from such a remote spot. At its busiest, about 500 people lived in Dunton.
From Mining to Ranching
In 1895, Joe and Dominica Roscio started a town here. They also opened a "dude ranch" called Rancho Dolores. A dude ranch is a place where visitors can experience a ranch lifestyle. The Roscios even turned an old saloon into a bathhouse for miners to enjoy the hot springs.
By 1905, Dunton had a population of about 260 to 300 people.
A New Chapter for the Springs
In the 1970s, the Roscio family sold the property. During the 1970s and 1980s, the hot springs became popular with travelers, artists, and musicians. They would camp in the cabins during the summer months. Back then, renting a cabin cost only a dollar or two per week! The dude ranch was still open for visitors.
In 1980, the property was sold to investors from New York.
Becoming a Resort
By 1990, Dunton became a ghost town once more. But in 1994, a German art dealer named Christoph Henkel bought the town. He and other investors turned the site into a fancy resort in the 1990s.
In 1987, a room or cabin with hot springs access cost about $15 per person per night. By 2005, cabins were renting for $600 to $800 per night. By 2018, the prices went up to $630 to $2,100 per night. This made the resort mostly for very wealthy people.
The Special Water of Dunton
What's in the Water?
The hot water at Dunton comes out of the ground at about 108°F (42°C). The water here has fewer minerals than other hot springs nearby. It mainly contains calcium-bicarbonate. It also has very low amounts of other minerals like lithium, boron, and magnesium.
How the Springs Formed
The two hot spring vents at Dunton are found in red sandstone and shale rock. The springs are located along a natural crack in the Earth called a fault. This fault helps bring the hot water from deep underground to the surface.
Where is Dunton Hot Springs?
Dunton Hot Springs is located in Dolores County. You can find it on West Fork Road #38 in Dolores, Colorado. It's about 6 miles (10 km) northwest of the town of Rico. The springs sit right on the bank of the west fork of the Dolores River. The elevation of the hot springs is about 8,873 feet (2,704 meters) above sea level. Other hot springs, like Paradise and Geyser Hot Springs, are also nearby.
