The Steel Horse | Colorado Retreat Co Flagship Event Location

About Steel Horse:

Nestled within a stunning mountain valley, the Steel Horse is the ideal location for intimate group events of all kinds and occasions. Multi-day experience packages are often a fraction of the cost of similar venue-only options. At a glance, what we offer is:

onsite overnight accommodations for up to 42 guests
unique indoor/outdoor group gathering spaces
event services & supplies
stunning views
caterer's/guest kitchen & vendor partner recommendations
privacy & property exclusivity

FAQs

Got a question? Let's get it answered! If you don't see your question below, click here to send us an email.

Do you have food?
We currently do not offer food at The Steel Horse - but we do have a caterer’s/guest kitchen and two propane grills for food preparation, and can provide a list of (or coordinate for retreats/offsites) local catering partners or chefs. Ask us about our “Stock the Fridge” grocery service, new DIY pizza oven service, and continental breakfast add-on options!

The nearest grocery store is in Poncha Springs about 25 minutes away. There is a mini fridge located in each room.

Do you sell alcohol?
No, we do not have a liquor license to legally sell alcohol.

Do you have a list of recommended vendors?
We do! Email us and we'll send you a link to the evolving list. (And, if you are a vendor who wants to explore future partnership, please reach out!)

How many people can you sleep?
The Steel Horse can accommodate up to 42 people between our unit inventory of 6 private guest rooms with private baths, 5 tent camping sites, 3 'glamping' geodesic domes, 6 full-hookup RV sites (rent/BYO RVs/campers), and NEW renovated Airstream.

We have more people who need places to stay than you accommodate – are there other places nearby for overnight guests?
Yes! There are a handful of short-term rentals on sites like VRBO, Airbnb or Hipcamp within a 5-15 minute drive. You can email us for a consolidated updated list.

Is there cell phone coverage or wifi on property?
We’ve found that cell reception on property is pretty spotty. Most guests have one bar of LTE service. But yes, we do have wifi! However, it is only accessible on certain parts of the property.

How far are you from the nearest airport? Nearest city?
We are 3.5 hours from DIA (Denver International Airport); 2.5 hours from COS (Colorado Springs Airport); and just under 1 hour from AEJ (Buena Vista - Central Colorado Regional Airport.) Poncha Springs & Salida are our nearest cities – about a 30-40 minute drive – with a variety of grocery stores, restaurants, liquor stores, gas stations, etc.

Can I bring my pet/dog?
Yes! However, we've had a hard time maintaining a clean and peaceful environment when guests bring them along. If you do bring them, you must pick up after them and have it on a leash at all times. Additional fees apply should we find that our leash and/or waste disposal rules aren’t being followed. The fee is $50/dog (max 2.) We do not charge a fee for dogs who are staying at our RV sites.

Is Steel Horse open all year?
At this time, the Steel Horse is only open May through October.

When can I book a tour?
Click here to book a tour on an available time/date that works for you.

Is camping allowed?
Yes! We have five designated camping spots for guests who bring their own tents. Camping outside of those spots is not permitted. Campers and "glampers" share the use of bathroom facilities.

Do your glamping domes have electricity?
Yes! Each dome has solar-powered electricity for lighting and low-amp activities like electronic charging. Glamping tents will NOT have enough power for high-amp items like hair dryers, for example.

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The History:

Originally built in 1981 and operated as an inn and restaurant by the Carrs, all of the lumber used for construction was milled and planed in their sawmill just a few miles west of the property. Mr. Carr cut timber on 3,000 acres of mining claims right above the mining town of Bonanza, CO and hauled the boiler that currently sits on display in front of the guest rooms down from the nearby mountains.

Over the years, the restaurant was transformed into the owner’s residence; and in 2017, previous owners Julie & Dave Poole, got to work on many of the unique features you see today! This includes the vintage railcar lounge, renovating the barn, establishing the outdoor ceremony site, and building the caterer’s kitchen. In 2022, current owners Christina & Dave purchased the property and have been hard at work putting their own stamp on this special destination.

Caterer's Kitchen

A perfect compliment to our flexible vendor policy is our stocked caterer's kitchen. It has two propane stoves and ovens, a microwave, toasters, two commercial-sized refrigerators, one commercial freezer, an expansive sink, plenty of prep space, varied serving supplies, and a coffee bar. Use of the caterer's kitchen is included in weddings, offsites, retreats and full-property rentals.