This tradition continues today at the Colorado Chautuaqua, where visitors can enjoy performances by nationally known artists and speeches by leading political and intellectual figures.  Fine dining is also available, along with plenty of space to relax and enjoy the spectacular setting.

The Colorado Chautauqua traces its origins to Texas, where in the late 1890s, the Texas Board of Regents determined to establish a summer school for teachers in a cool climate. Because the Chautauqua Movement was such a powerful and popular cultural force in the United States at the time, the Regents surmised that the best way to obtain a favorable location for the teachers' school would be to partner with a railroad company, package the school with a Chautauqua, and barter with a Colorado town for a site. Boulder city leaders wooed the Texans by offering to supply land, facilities and public utilities for the assembly. The site was expressly chosen for its spectacular mountain setting and its health-giving environment. On July 4, 1898, over 4,000 people gathered for the opening day of the Colorado Chautauqua. 

Today, the Colorado Chautauqua is one of three remaining Chautauquas in the United States, and the only site west of the Mississippi River, in continuous operation, with its original structures intact.  The buildings constructed more than a century ago are still intact and used for their original purpose.  Historic structures include:

The Auditorium (1898), a large hall with exposed rafters and vertical board and batten siding.  Performing artists love to play here because of the superior acoustics and intimate feel.  A full summer schedule of performances is offered.

The Dining Hall (1898) is a two story wood frame structure with a large, wrap around porch.  The Dining Hall is open all year, offering excellent cuisine as well as an increasing number of food-oriented programs. 

The Academic Hall (1900) houses Chautauqua's administrative offices and was the site of the first collegiate-level summer school in Colorado. 

The Community House (1918) is a fine example of Arts and Crafts architecture and has been winterized and renovated. 

In addition to these public buildings, visitors may enjoy a walking tour of the entire site, which includes nearly 100 cottages, most of them wood-frame structures in a range of period styles.  Walking tour brochures are available at the administrative offices and there are large maps of the entire site posted on major buildings to help with way-finding.  Fifty-nine of these cottages are available for rent, while the others are privately owned.  

The Colorado Chautauqua is a National Historic Landmark, the nation's highest level of designation for a historic site. The site has been a City of Boulder Historic Landmark District since 1978. 

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Fun Facts to Know and Tell:

The Colorado Chautauqua has hosted a number of famous performers over the decades, including "the silver-tongued orator" William Jennings Bryan, noted prohibitionist Reverend "Billy" Sunday, Philip Sousa, cellist Yo-Yo Ma, grandfather of bluegrass Bill Monroe, "gonzo" journalist Hunter S. Thompson, Vice President Al Gore, the Reverend Jesse Jackson, and popular musicians popular musicians like David Byrne, the Indigo Girls and Los Lobos.

The name Chautauqua is from Seneca (Iroquian) ja'dáhgwe"h, perhaps meaning "raised body." 

The City of Boulder, founded in 1859 as a supply camp to the mines in the nearby mountains, got its name from Boulder Creek which runs through the city.  There are a lot of large rocks in the vicinity, likely the reason the creek got its name.

Other Places to Visit:

Boulder Downtown Historic District
Norlin Quadrangle Historic District, University of Colorado

Campus Best Times to Visit:
Year Round

Byway:
Peak to Peak Scenic & Historic Byway