State Bridge Lodge is welcoming guests this summer with new upgrades and opportunities to gather along the Colorado River. Situated between Rancho Del Rio and Bond, State Bridge Lodge has been a gathering place for 136 years. Mason Davey, the new owner of State Bridge Lodge, used his skills of brand development from his years at Weston Snowboards to transform this iconic location.
State Bridge has a storied past, serving as everything from a brothel to a gambling hall and speakeasy, as well as lodging for travelers, hunters and fishermen. President Theodore Roosevelt even stayed on the property during a trip through Colorado. Davey describes the location as a major hub for commerce in the area. “It was where you brought your livestock or produce to market via the train,” he says. “At one point, a nice Mormon family even turned it into an ice cream parlor.”
Photos courtesy of Mason Davey
Davey took possession of State Bridge Lodge in January 2021, moving onto the land and getting his hands dirty. The property was in disrepair when it was purchased. “I took four 40- yard dumpsters worth of trash off the property and roughly 30 to 40 stained mattresses,” Davey says. He went on to build porches on all of the cabins, a shed, a barn and a composting outhouse. He utilized sustainably sourced, beetle-kill pine that he milled on-site for all of the additions. Davey has also refurbished a storefront in one of the original cabins to welcome guests, which will include a new snack shack.
People remember State Bridge for hosting concerts and festivals that centered around the river and being away from civilization. After five years of work upgrading the facility, Davey looks forward to welcoming back the community that deeply cares about this place. “We will host concerts, weddings, retreats, family reunions and more as we continue its long legacy of a place to gather and celebrate,” he adds.
This summer, guests can expect live music on an improved stage and a food truck on-site. For Davey, his hard work is paying off as he begins welcoming couples to host weddings on the property as well. His dedication to State Bridge Lodge is evident when he says, “I’m able to pour my love into this magical place with the intention to give it back to the community in a meaningful way.”
