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The Chief Hosa Lodge and Campground stands on the original Denver San Francisco stagecoach line, located in the heart of Genesee Mountain Park, 20 minutes from downtown Denver. Years ago, Genesee, an Arapaho term that means "shining valley," served as the focal point for peaceful travelers to gather. Neighboring tribes designated the area a "no hostility zone" for pow wows and "political" meetings. Thousands of Native Americans met upon the grounds that would become Chief Hosa during the summer months.

Today, Chief Hosa is the site of a lodge and campground that are once again the location of gatherings and celebrations. The area has gone through a multitude of transformations. One of the most striking, the restoration of the lodge, grounds and campground, has earned this issue's Historic Denver Standing Ovation. We applaud David Peri of Periscope Marketing who operates Chief Hosa for the City of Denver.

In 1912, Denver passed a mill levy tax to create the parks. The first parcel purchased was 350 acres in Genesee. "They saw it as a tremendous engine that would drive tourism," says Peri. Advertisements boasted of "America's first motor camping area." An overnight stay cost 25 cents. Another 75 cents bought breakfast and dinner. Known then as Tent City, Chief Hosa attracted tourists and residents alike. In 1916, the City of Denver authorized the construction of a $40,000 lodge. Pieced together section by section, the lodge first included a main dining area and a chapel.

When the Great Depression hit, Peri says, "People were so focused on just existing that most forgot about the Mountain Parks system." Subsequently, the Lodge changed uses. Deeded over to the American Legion, it became a museum dedicated to Colorado's involvement in World War I. Next, it was a gambling hall and later a bordello. Chief Hosa experienced various other transformations including use as a grocery store, restaurant and youth hostel.

In 1988, the City contracted an assistant surveyor to take over the rundown building. He made repairs, but the lodge's condition remained dilapidated. Periscope Marketing took over the project inm January 2000. With a background in hospitality and resort management, Peri was ideal for the job. He had worked as marketing vice president of the Breckenridge ski area for ten years.

Shocked at the lodge's condition, Peri says, "We discovered wiring in this building that went all the way back to the 1920s. Water ran a bright red like somebody had his throat cut in the cistern. The floor was so bad, you could put your thumb through it. Nothing was to code." He invested $300,000 for the physical rehabilitation of Chief Hosa. He hired interior designer Mark Uscier of Mark David Designs to refurbish the lodge. "Everything we did, we tried to do in the spirit of the period." Such attention to detail gives Chief Hosa a historic feel as well as a certain charm.

Peri would like to bring more visitors to Chief Hosa and make the lodge and campground prosperous once again. "I think there are tremendous opportunities here, not only to increase the monetary value of Chief Hosa to the City of Denver, but to dramatically increase the number of visitors. I want them to again become aware of this rich history of and for the citizens of Denver, the Front Range and the West to again enjoy it."