Durango Hot Springs Resort and Spa celebrated its fifth anniversary under its current ownership in August – recognizing the growth the business has obtained during its tenure.
Under the ownership of Dan Carter and Bryan Yearout, the resort has spent $14 million in capital investments.
It now boasts 40 water features, including 32 thermal mineral pools, 12 of which are ADA-compliant. Enhanced accessibility features, like an ADA-compliant cold plunge and a resort-style swimming pool with zero-step entry, ensure easy access for guests with mobility challenges.
The ownership team took over what was then called Trimble Hot Springs in 2019. At the time, the Olympic-size pool at the hot springs had structurally failed and the resort needed renovation.
“Durango is blessed with an incredible natural resource, and we were excited to enhance its potential to serve the community,” Carter said. “Our goal is to create welcoming wellness experiences that the community can enjoy and incorporate into their weekly or daily routines.”
Carter said before he and his team acquired the resort, it would only spawn about 7,000 visitors per year. But now, he says the resort brings in more than 100,000 visitors per year.
And now with Woodhouse Spa going out of business and the property in a transition period before reopening as The River’s Edge, he said it’s an opportune time for his business to add on.
The owners intend to increase the number of spa rooms to 20. Currently, there are only four. Carter said the expanded spa area will be “several thousand” square feet.
Despite price inflation, rising interest rates and fear of economic slowdown, the national spa resort industry is still on a steady growth trend, according to the 2024 International Spa Association’s annual industry study.
Total spa industry revenue was estimated to have risen from $20.1 billion in 2022 to $21.3 billion in 2023, an increase of 5.7%.
In the next five years, the resort plans to enhance its offerings with a new Zen garden featuring additional mineral pools, as well as health and wellness classes. These programs will be available to the community and offered to local businesses as part of their employee wellness initiatives.
Also, with the addition of new housing at Dalton Ranch and The Glacier Club north of Durango slated to be built over the next couple of years, there could be an influx of new customers for the resort.
However, the timeline for the spa’s new development has been stalled as it waits for the county approval on adding a second story to a building located on the north side of the resort.
“It’s been growing month over month, year over year, and so it continues to be a very popular destination, both for visitors and for locals,” Carter said.
The resort says that its goal is to have one-third of its customers be local pass holders.
The spa employs up to 62 workers with an annual payroll of $2.5 million. It has also focused its efforts on hiring Fort Lewis College graduates for leadership positions.
tbrown@durangoherald.com
