Colorado Chautauqua

I am really enjoying my visit to the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder. Founded in 1898 by the Texas Board of Education, the Gulf and Southern Railroad, and the City of Boulder, it is now a small chautauqua with a neat spirit. Cottages are small – 39 are privately owned and about 60 are rented out by the association to visitors.
Built right at the base of the Flatirons, it is now a Boulder City Park, surrounded on three sides by Boulder Open Space (great areas for hiking). I had a nice short hike yesterday and hope to do more while I’m here.

The Colorado Music Festival brings both cottagers and locals together for great music in the Auditorium, which was built in 45 days in preparation for a July 4, 1898 opening. On nice evenings, the sides are opened so people can sit outside and enjoy the music without a (rather expensive) ticket. The first night I was here, I paid to hear Lucinda Williams and last night, I sat in the growing thunderstorm to enjoy Dave Bromberg.

Last night, I also had dinner on the porch of the Dining Hall. It has quite a pull from Boulder, with good food and an amazing view. The Dining Hall also opened in 1898.

The dining hall and the auditorium were the only buildings in 1898. Visitors from Texas or elsewhere stayed in tents. After one windy summer, plans for permanent cabins were made. The chautauqua held a contest for groups of school teachers to build the best cabin in 1899. Here’s one from the Houston teachers – still owned jointly by Houston teachers.