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Hot Sulphur Springs
Long before settlers came to the valley, the Ute and Arapaho Native Americans used the area as a summer camping spot and a sacred setting. The Utes even treated their sick horses in the hot springs. Hot Sulphur Springs, named, of course, for the hot mineral springs that bubble from the ground, was the first town established in Grand County in 1870. That same year, William Byers, a land speculator as well as the founder of the Rocky Mountain News, placed a resort over and near the hot springs. (He had to first build an enclosure around the main pool to keep the Ute ponies out.)
Hot Sulphur Springs is at the mouth of Byers Canyon, a short but deep spectacular gorge on the Colorado River.
Except for a brief period in the early 1880s, Hot Sulphur Springs has been the county seat of Grand County. Under construction today is an addition to the Grand County courthouse and a remodel. Plans are to use wood from beetle-kill trees in the molding and other wood features.
In 1912, Hot Sulphur Springs hosted Colorado's first winter sports carnival, featuring the newly invented sport of ski-jumping. A skiing display that shows the beginning of this sport is in the Pioneer Village in Hot Sulphur Springs on US Hwy 40.
- 96 miles west of Denver on US Hwy 40
- Population 512
- Elevation 7965ft
Travel Tidbits:
- The key to safe mountain driving is to slow down and look further ahead than in normal driving. Most accidents occur because drivers are either driving too fast, and/or are following too closely to the car in front of them.
- Unique mountain hazards include wildlife that can dart out in front of you, scenic overlooks that attract traffic, and heavy truck traffic that speeds up on downhill sections while slowing down going uphill.
- Four-wheel drive vehicles or SUVs can lead to a false sense of security in rain, snow and ice. SUVs do not stop any differently than conventional cars.
- Observe posted speed limits on curves. Keep to the right of your lane when rounding a curve to put as large a cushion of safety as possible between you and oncoming traffic. According to the Colorado State Patrol, a large percentage of high country accidents are caused by drivers who don't stay on their side of the road.
- Blue Light warning! Colorado's snowplows use distinctive amber and blue lights to warn you well in advance that snow removal operations are underway. When you see these lights, slow down and use caution.
- Cell phones don't always work in the mountains. If you have to use one for an emergency, a higher ridge line will give you the best reception. If you call 911, tell them you are in Grand County. Depending on where you are, you may reach an emergency center for a different county.
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