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Idaho Springs gondola project underway, expected to open March 2026
IDAHO SPRINGS, Colo. (KDVR) — Mountain towns along the Interstate 70 corridor are bustling this week thanks to consistently hot weather.
Big projects are underway to draw even more tourists, including a $71 million gondola and mountain top development in Idaho Springs. The Mighty Argo Cable Car will travel 1.2 miles from the Argo Gold Mine and Mill to the top of the mountain, where an event center, bars and restaurants will provide views of the Continental Divide.
You could soon see a Colorado gold mine from the sky in Idaho Springs
FOX31 spoke with tourists who say they look forward to enjoying the new features in a town they have come to love.
'We have nothing like this where we're from,' said one visitor.
Construction is underway and Black Hawk helicopters will bring in towers in the coming weeks. Seventy-five percent of Clear Creek County is made up of public lands. More than 300,000 people head to the high country to hike the highest peaks in the summer, but bad weather can drown out profits for small businesses, which lost 40% of their revenues during several days of heavy rainfall in May.
Tommyknockers restaurant owner and gondola project investor Steve Indrehus tells FOX31 the boost in tourism will improve tax revenues, which support the town.
'It is everything from our police force to the potholes and with recent developments with things in the community, like the Anderson mine dropping off a little bit, they were a big supporter of the community with taxes. I believe that the gondola project will pick up the beat there,' Indrehus said.
The project will also include the Virginia Canyon Mountain Bike Trail System, which is already receiving international recognition. Construction should be completed in March of 2026.
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