Heritage Tourism

Before written history, native American cultures, including Clovis and Folsom, hunted and gathered in the area 11,000 years ago. Spain claimed the area in the 1500’s and established land grants to attract settlers. However, clashes with Comanches left the valley largely unsettled for many years. Zebulon Pike, exploring the southern part of the Louisiana Purchase and after his discovery of Pike’s Peak, was awed by the view of the Sand Dunes (probably from Medano Pass) in 1807. Until Mexico’s liberation from Spain in 1821, Spain claimed the San Luis Valley. The 1850’s saw the first permanent settlements

Gold and silver discoveries near Summitville in 1870 fueled the mining rush to the San Luis Valley environs. While other mining settlements quickly followed at Creede and Bonzana, the history of the Valley’s settlement was greatly influenced by the railroad, farming, ranching, and timber Armed with pick, shovel, and gold pan fortune seekers floated into the state in the mid 1800s working their way up every river and stream, furrowing for the precious metal. This almost historic demand for hotels in mining areas inspired the construction of the Windsor Hotel, which was completed in 1874. In 1884 and 1886 two brick commercial blocks, including additional hotel rooms were added bringing the complex to a total of over 23,000 square feet. This is one of the oldest Hotels in Colorado. As the most prominent structure in downtown Del Norte, the hotel has been a significant presence in the history and development of the town.

For many decades the Windsor served as the main social and commercial center for the community and ran continuously until the 1970-s when it was closed, not for lack of business, but over a personal feud. It was reopened three times after that by different operators, finally closing in 1988. While closed, neglect and vandalism took a toll that prevented the success of a few attempts at re-opening. When the building was threatened with demolition in 1993, a generous local benefactor stepped forward, and the renovation process began.

Add the Windsor to your Colorado Heritage Tour. You won't be disappointed. Windsor Location on Colorado Map