Since opening on July 4, 1888, the prime focus of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has always been Mother Nature’s soothing and healing hot springs water for soaking and enjoying time with family and friends. What many people might not know is where this cherished resource comes from, the thoughtful behind-the-scenes water care, and health benefits of the resort’s mineral hot springs water.
The Source
First, let’s talk about where Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s hot springs water comes from, as it is truly at the heart of it all. Yampah Spring, first discovered and utilized by Ute Native Americans many years before the town of Glenwood Springs was founded, is located at the east end of the resort’s property. The East End Expansion Project currently underway and slated for completion in 2024 not only adds five additional soaking pools of varying temperatures, it also includes beautifying the area around Yampah Spring and reopening the mineral water drinking spring. Yes, there are even health benefits to drinking water from this versatile mother spring!
Yampah Spring has an impressive daily flow of 3.5 million gallons of water that is approximately 122°F (51°C). The source for Yampah Spring is south of the Colorado River in the Lookout Mountain and Grand Hogback areas. The healing hot springs water percolates through fractures in the bedrock formation into the Leadville aquifer. As this occurs, the water is heated by the geothermal gradient in the area.
Water Care & Use
Most people find peace in knowing that the water they are swimming and soaking in is clean. The water in Glenwood Hot Springs Resort’s large pool and Therapy Pool is filtered and purified 24 hours a day, with both pools receiving a complete changeover of water every six hours.
There also are one-or two-day pool closures quarterly to totally empty the pools and clean the surfaces.
Despite using a million-dollar, state-of-the-art ozone purification system, state health department regulations require the resort to maintain some chlorine in the pools. The water is monitored 24 hours a day to ensure the utmost purity for guests.
Fresh water is added to the pools to cool off the water from Yampah Springs, which is 122°F (51°C) and too hot for humans! The Therapy Pool is kept around 104°F (40°C) and the larger pool at 90° to 93°F (32° to 34°C), which is ideal for playing, cooling off, and using the diving board and lap lanes. The Sopris Splash Zone aquatic park on the west end is filled entirely with fresh water.
Hot springs water has more than just soothing and health qualities at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort. Mother Nature’s gift also is used for heating the historic bathhouse, 107-room Lodge, laundering linens, and keeping the sidewalks and surfaces around the pool snow and ice free. 
What Makes the Water So Healthy?
In a nutshell, there is plenty of heat and more than 15 different minerals dissolved in the super-heated waters at Glenwood Hot Springs Pool. But let’s look at it a little closer.
Each Rocky Mountain hot springs water has its own unique blend of minerals and temperatures. Ute Native Americans called our spring “Yampah,” which means Big Medicine. There are 15 minerals found in the water filling the world’s largest hot springs pool. Sodium chloride, potassium sulfate and calcium sulfate are among the most abundant dissolved minerals in our water. By simply relaxing in the pools, you can alleviate the symptoms of arthritis, fibromyalgia, asthma, skin disorders and depression as the minerals are passively absorbed in the skin.
Besides relieving aches and pains, soaking in warm water gives your body a natural health boost. Increasing body temperature in hot springs helps naturally eliminate toxins, increase circulation and reduce blood pressure. While the recently renovated Therapy Pool is kept at a warmer 104°F (40°C), both pools are ideal environments to stretch and loosen tightness in the legs, hips, shoulders, and back. This might be a daily occurrence for some or the result of a hiking, biking, rafting, skiing, snowboarding or other adventures in Glenwood Springs for others.
Whatever the situation, Mother Nature’s soothing and healing hot springs water is a great solution for a trio of reasons: ultimate relaxation, healing goodness and memorable times with your favorite people.