stay + play
COLORADO’S SAN LUIS VALLEY
ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT SPROUTING Words + Photos by Jessica Hughes
C
onnected by a mosaic of county roads and
locals, it’s quickly becoming a travel haven for
cradled by the Sangre de Cristo and San
so much more.
Juan Mountains, the San Luis Valley is a highdesert playground for outdoor adventures.
and spirited newcomer from all over, planted
The region lures in travelers who come
roots in Del Norte as a full-time business owner of
to sand surf at the Great Sand Dunes National
the General (Specific) Store. Hubbard brings not
Park, soak in the area’s hot springs or summit
only a gold mine of antique treasures to her store
its jagged 14,000-foot peaks. But since its boom
but a social presence that has reinvigorated the
days in the late 1800s, the vast valley has
community.
experienced hard times as one of the poorest rural areas in Colorado.
“I was inspired by the space and the spirit of the place,” says Hubbard. “Del Norte is a
Now, thanks to a few local hopefuls and
confluence of communities with a well-spring of
spirited newcomers, a rural renaissance is
artists, culinary innovators, outdoor enthusiasts
making its way across the valley as a collection
and locals who have worked to lay a solid
of communities looks to one another to help the
foundation of community.”
area thrive, not just survive.
66
Corey Hubbard, a self-proclaimed cowgirl
Hotelier and Denver-transplant Lauren
Del Norte sits at the epicenter of this
Coleman feels the same way. Coleman has brought
change. Named as the gateway to the San
a fresh take on lodging with the Mellow Moon
Juans, Del Norte touts itself as an epic outdoor
Lodge. A retro revamp of the 15-room vintage motel
recreation destination. But with its latest influx
in 2019 by its previous owner helped recapture
of entrepreneurial transplants and loving
the spirit of travel and the local community.
