25 things to watch in 2025

PAGE 8 WEEKLY REGISTER-CALL PAGE 9 WEEKLY REGISTER-CALLMarch 27, 2025 March 27, 2025

Teacher rode Argo Mine ore car to teach in Russell Gulch

One of Mary Jane Loevlie’s favorite stories about local mining history includes the tale

of a woman who made a connection between Idaho Springs and the Central City area more

than a century ago.

Loevlie, whose “ah-ha” moment while setting on her front porch led to the creation and

development of the forthcoming Argo cable-car attraction, also enjoys telling stories about

women who have made a historical impact on the region.

When construction of

the Argo Tunnel began in

1893 and was completed

in 1910, the 4.2-mile tun-

nel passageway – origi-

nally called the Newhouse

Tunnel – was used for

more than simply min-

ing. Loevlie said Beatrice

Rule, a teacher who lived

in Idaho Springs, used the

nearby Argo Tunnell as a

means to get to her teaching job further up the mountain in the Central City-Gilpin County

area.

According to a 1991 geological survey from the U.S. Department of the Interior: As a

young teacher around 1905, Rule rode an ore-car train more than a mile into the tunnel

and took the platform hoist up the Gem Shaft to her first job in Gilson Gulch in the Russell

Gulch area. At the time, there were few schools in the mountains around Gilpin County,

with one located in the present-day Russell Gulch in unincorporated southwest section of

the region.

“It’s a fabulous story,” said Loevlie, of the historic event.

Loevlie said schoolteacher Rule was one of the settlers that experienced and took part in

the complete transformation of the Central City mining town. She moved to the area in the

seventh grade, continued her education throughout high school and graduated alongside

eight other women. Rule then became a teacher herself, influencing her classroom of 14-15

children.

The Mighty Argo Mine’s website features passages about Rule and other noteworthy local

women, including Clara Brown (called “Aunt Clara,)” an emancipated slave who started a

business in Central City and helped establish the St. James Church in the early 1860s. Last

fall, Central City renamed one of its streets adjoining St. James as “Clara Brown Way.”

According to available historical documents, “Rule looked out for her neighbors, even if it

meant her own sacrifice. She stood up for what was right, taking unreasonable punishments

made by others to court for accountability. After the death of her sister, Rule moved to Colo-

rado Springs and continued to teach for another 43 years.”

Don Ireland • 720-217-1310

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Cable-car ride aims to be a Top-10 Denver attraction

Step into a gondola and take a ride 1.2 miles

up a mountain to a new concert and visitors’

venue?

That’s the idea behind the Might Argo Cable

Car project that began in 2018 and has devel-

oped into a united effort between the City of

Idaho Springs, developer Miners Point Ven-

tures, its various partners and the Colorado

Mountain Bike Association (COMBA).

When the new venue is completed, the gon-

dola-ride promoters are hoping to attract some

of the 22 million vehicles that pass by Idaho

Springs while traveling along I-70 annually.

Idaho Springs resident Mary Jane Loevlie,

whose home sits across the valley from the

historic Argo Mine and Mill property, said she

was having a glass of wine on her front porch

with a neighbor while enjoying the view several

years ago when she got what she described as an

“ah-ha” moment. Have a cable-car gondola ride

transport people from the Argo Mill more than

a mile up the mountain to present-day Miners

Park off Virginia Canyon Road.

“It’s a really fun story,” she told the Weekly

Register-Call. “When we bought the Argo Mill in

2016, we were going to have it zoned for a hotel,

housing and mixed-use tourism. Then, one

night while looking over at the Argo, I realized

the city had 500 acres of public-use property

up the hill. My neighbor was involved in the ski

industry, and we thought about what it would

be like to put in a gondola in Idaho Springs. I

ended up doing a small feasibility study and realized it

could actually happen.”

After bringing in a consultant from Europe, Loevlie

said a study showed the gondola could attract between

500,000 and 700,000 riders a year. She pressed

forward, assembling a professional project staff and

attracting nearly $37 million of investments from

Europea. With additional research and help, she ended

up purchasing nine mining claims up the hill from the

Argo, which will be used at the top terminal-station for

the gondola ride.

Along the way, Loevlie also met Bryan McFarland,

mercial properties. He

became a project partner

in their company, Miners

Point Ventures.

McFarland speaks with

enthusiasm about the

cable-car project. “There

won’t be anything like

it in the United States.

We’re within 30 minutes

of 3.5 million people in

the Denver area. We’re

going to be a Denver at-

traction, not a mountain

attraction. I think we’ll

be a top 10 attraction,

like the Denver Zoo or

a museum. Maybe we’ll

be a top five attraction

by the time we’re done.

In the early days of the

project, the developers

encountered financial

problems with one of its

previous backers, delay-

ing the effort. That and

COVID-related problems

pushed back the start

for the project, which

initially was expected to cost $32 million. However,

McFarland said the project has regained steady footing,

although escalating construction costs and potential

import tariffs also might impact it.

These days, McFarland is optimistic the Idaho

Springs project can be more successful than a similar

cable-car attraction near Vancouver, Canada, which

has about half the population and ski traffic of that in

Denver and its mountains. “They’re still doing 400,000

riders up there a year,” commented McFarland. “How-

ever, we’ve got much stronger demographics here. One

of the nice things about our project is that we’re only

about 30 minutes from Union Station in Denver. We’re

within 60 minutes of 3.5 million people in the Denver

metropolitan area and the Front Range market.”

The lower platform and station will be next to the ex-

isting Argo Mine and Tunnel. Passengers will step into

a gondola cable-car, which will transport them 1.2 miles

up the mountain to the City of Idaho Springs’ Miners

Park, off Virginia Canyon Road.

A 60-ton cable will move the gondolas through a se-

ries of 16 towers, including the concrete bases currently

under construction. The Doppelmayr-Garaventa Group,

a global leader in ropeway technology that creates sys-

tems for ski areas, urban transport and other projects,

is building 22 custom-made gondolas.

McFarland mentioned that many gondolas will ac-

commodate up to 10 people at a time. In addition, four

gondolas will feature glass bottoms, allowing riders

to look through the floor and enjoy the journey up the

mountain while viewing the scenery above the treetops.

Another five custom cars will enable mountain bikers

to bring their bikes along for the ascent, where they can

explore a variety of trails established by the Colorado

Mountain Biking Association (COMBA).

The Miners Point attraction at the top of the gondola

ride will include an outdoor area with viewing decks,

an outdoor concert venue, a space for weddings and

special events, food trucks, a children’s interactive

play area, and more. “It’s going to be a very vibrant

space,” said McFarland.

The 1,200-foot gondola ride to the upper station

is expected to take approximately 10 minutes, ac-

cording to the MightArgo.com website.

“I can actually see the construction going on from

my house,” noted Loevlie with a laugh in her voice.

The COMBA organization has built several

mountain-biking trails, called the Virginia Canyon

Mountain Park, near the top of the forthcoming

cable-car gondola area. One trail, called Drop Shaft,

received the “Best New Flow/Jump Trail of 2024”

by Singletracks.com, an international online web-

site, in conjunction with Mountain Bike Trails and

Review.

Over the next few months, gondola construction will

focus on excavating foundations, pouring concrete, and

helicoptering in 14 tower stanchions spanning the park.

This work will impact park access and directly affect

select existing trail areas. Due to public safety require-

ments and potential trail damage, COMBA said it is un-

certain whether the mountain biking trails will reopen on

April 1. Some of the trails currently are closed because

of the anticipated birthing season for bighorn sheep and

other large animals that live in the area.

Conceptual sketch of the Miners Point attraction on the mountain above the Argo Mine. The venue will in-

clude the upper terminal for the cable-car gondola ride (right), viewing decks, an outdoor music and events

YenXe a children·s area and a bXilding that Zill hoXse Iood trXcNs

In the coming months, Mc-

Farland and his associates will

seek special permissions from

both the Central and Gilpin

governments to aid a seg-

ment of the Mighty Argo Cable

Car project, which is set to be

constructed this summer and is

expected to open in early 2026.

Work on the initial phase of

the project began last October

near the Argo Tunnel in Idaho

Springs.

The backers of the Mighty

Argo Cable Car project aim to

secure a temporary use permit

from Gilpin County to establish

a 72,000-square-foot stag-

ing and production area for 16

gondola towers and equipment

for the venue. Once the custom-

made components, including

cable cars, arrive from Wolfurt,

Austria, they will be assembled

in the designated produc-

tion area on private property

in southwest unincorporated

Gilpin County. Sites in Idaho

Springs on the Miners Point

site above the Argo Tunnel were

deemed unacceptable by the

company managing the assem-

bly process.

McFarland noted that the

temporary staging area would

only be needed from “around

the end of this month until

October.” Once completed, the

assembled metal towers will

be transported by helicopter

approximately 1.1 miles down-

hill for placement on concrete

tower-support pads between

the top and bottom of the cable

car ride off Virginia Canyon

Road. The helicopter transports

are scheduled to occur on the

same day, currently projected

for “around July 12.” Addition-

ally, some smaller pieces will be

transported down Virginia Can-

yon Road to the new venue site,

located off Santa Fe Mine Road

and overlooking Idaho Springs

and part of Interstate 70.

The helicopters will first land

west of Central City Parkway for

several minutes, allowing for

metal cables to be connected.

This will enable the choppers

to pick up the completed pieces

and transport them to the

cable-car gondola site.

“The upper terminal site

[where the gondola stops] is

actually closer to Central City

than it is to Idaho Springs,” ac-

cording to McFarland. “I think

the thing is that the entire Argo

ecos [ecosystem] is focusing on

referencing the mining history

of Idaho Springs and Central

City. There will be artifacts

from the Argo Mine that will be

displayed [at the new venue].

We’re happy to engage Central

City, as well. It’s a regional proj-

ect, not an Idaho Springs project.

We’re excited about this.”

Meanwhile, MACC aims

to secure a hauling permit

from Central City to transport

approximately 70 trucks of

imported tower sections and

cable-car components from

I-70 along the Central City

Parkway to the Gilpin produc-

tion site. The project company,

Miners Point Ventures, will

require permission to pass

through Central City Public

Works’ property to access the

staging-construction yard,

which borders the parkway

but is actually located in unin-

corporated Gilpin County.

The developer also will seek

permission from Central City

to have the transport trucks

use Lake Gulch Road (Exit 7

of the parkway), travel over

the Virginia Canyon Road

Bridge and pass though Cen-

building property.

cated that construc-

early April. “Most of

the parkway to Idaho Springs,

where it will be used for parts

of the construction of the lower

gondola terminal area.

Central City Mayor Jeremy

Fey said he’s pleased about the

Mighty Argo project. “This is

exciting for the neighborhood.

If there’s anything I can person-

ally do to help facilitate this,

don’t hesitate to call on me,” he

commented to the developers

during the workshop session.

Central City Councilman

Chuck Spencer, who owns the

Denver West-Central City KOA

Holiday Campground across

the parkway from the proposed

gondola project assembly site,

expressed several concerns

about the project previ-

ously. He pointed out that

his campground accommo-

dates between 300 and 350

guests daily, in addition to the

residents living in the Gold

Mountain Village Apartments

next door.

Spencer originally said he’d

been told helicopters would

be operating in the area all

summer long—not just for one

day. The alderman inquired

about the type of noise and

the amount residents in the

vicinity should anticipate from

the assembly area.

Responded McFarland,

“Typically, these guys will

be working from Monday

through Saturday. Everything

will be coming in on pallets

and pre-painted. It has to be

assembled, so there will be

impact wrenches and things

that will be going on. I have no

idea what that noise level will

be, but – with the parkway

there – I don’t think you’re

going to hear a lot of that. We

can certainly start later in the

morning if that’s a concern.”

Spencer said his guests

come to the campground so

they can enjoy the peaceful

outdoors. “Otherwise, they’d

go stay in a hotel.”

“We’re happy to engage

Central City, as well. It’ s

a regional project, not an

Idaho Springs project.

We’re excited about this.”

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Gilpin, Central asked for “neighborly” assistance

with Argo cable car project in Idaho Springs

Aerial view of one of the foundations being constructed to support the 16-gondola cable car

system designed to transport passengers from the lower terminal platform near the historic Argo

site to the hilltop attraction more than 1.2 miles up the hill.

Artist·s rendering oI the loZer terminal right oI the Might\ Argo Cable Car ride near the Argo Mine 7he

property will include a parking lot and the Argo Mercantile store. Photos and drone

photos courtesy of the

Mighty Argo Cable Car Co. and Miners Point LLC

Creek Counties.

2477.

Versatile Toyota Tundra crew cab

A recent test vehicle

Tundra 4×4 crew-cab

truck with final assem-

Texas.

truck is easy to like and make

a friend with fast. The twin-

turbo V6 engine packs a Texas

punch with 389 hp linked

to the 10-speed sequential

transmission. Hang on to that

bucket seating.

Surprisingly, fuel economy

averaged 21 mpg overall,

with some skillful driving,

using the sport mode going

up mountain highways but

using the eco mode traveling

downhill and in city driving.

There’s a “tow mode” for you

ranchers, sportsmen, horse

haulers and work crews, or

just having a powerful play

toy with a suggested retail

price of $62,442 that includes

many desirable options, in-

cluding the TRD Rally Pack-

age. This option includes 18”

alloy wheels with all-terrain

tires and tri-color decal grilles

on the front doors and tail-

gate. Unique offroad suspen-

sion with Billstein shocks,

skid plates, mudguards and

red TRD start button. Add a

TRD leather-wrapped heated

steering wheel, electronically

controlled rear differential

and multi-terrain crawl

control. To enjoy the ride,

the driver’s seat has an eight-

way power seat with lumbar

control for long drives and

manual passenger four-way

seat adjustments.

The Tundra rates an overall

five-star combined safety

rating that includes a litany

of safety features found on

the latest cars and trucks. The

truck has trailer brakes and

trailer sway controls

screen adjusts sounds

and vehicle informa-

tion, including a nine-

speaker Apple CarPlay

compatibility.

LED lights, an aluminum-

reinforced composite truck

bed and auto leveling adjust-

ments are all around. The in-

terior has 60/40 split fold-up

rear seats, under-seat storage

compartments, and a vertical

power rear cab window. The

Tundra has magnetic gray

metallic paint. For whatever

multi-purpose this truck may

serve, rest assured that it has

the stamina for the task. I’ll

bet some Dallas Cowboys

players drive some Tundra

trucks.

Central City’s Visitors Center has completed its

weeks-long move into the new location next to City

Hall. Volunteers and other helpers have moved photo-

graphs, memorabilia, and tourist information from the

old location at 103 Eureka Street to the first floor of

the Belvidere Theater building at 139 Nevada St. The

new site includes a visitors’ restroom—something the

former center lacked—and offers free parking across

the street in the Big T parking lot. When visitors enter

the center, they won’t be stepping onto the old, some-

times creaky floorboards because sections of the old

theater building have been restored and remodeled.

However, the new location isn’t fully operational yet;

new telephone and computer lines have not been

installed, and the cash register was not functional

recently. Progress so far includes the Visitors Center

occupying the ground floor of the remodeled Shoo-

Fly Bar. The walls are adorned with historic Central

City photos and information, along with postcards and

other items for sale. Visitors can also pick up informa-

tion cards about places to visit in the area and maga-

zines featuring dining options and attractions. In the

meantime, no official grand opening or ribbon-cutting

date has been announced for the new Visitors Center.

Photos by Don Ireland

Central City Visitor

25 things to watch in 2025

Patrick Henry Sweeney

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