Hospitality investment and development company Storie Co., in partnership with Cleveland-based real estate investment firm GBX Group, acquired Trailhead Lodge Rocky Mountains and The Outpost Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colo. Other terms and conditions were not disclosed.
Following the transaction, Storie Co. hired Leisure Hotels & Resorts for operational management, with the properties rebranding from their former Trailborn identities to Trailhead Lodge Rocky Mountains and The Outpost Rocky Mountains.
Trailhead Lodge and The Outpost occupy a visible and irreplaceable location in Estes Park, one of Colorado’s most established year-round mountain destinations. The market benefits from consistent leisure demand driven by outdoor recreation, national park visitation, and a growing calendar of cultural and seasonal events. With limited new lodging supply and strong barriers to entry, Estes Park continues to demonstrate durable fundamentals and long-term appeal, according to the companies.
The properties have a flexible lodging mix and Storie Co. intends to develop eight additional cabins on the site, further expanding the properties’ lodging offering while maintaining the nature-forward experience. The planned cabins are designed to complement the existing assets, enhance guest choice and support extended stays, particularly during peak visitation periods.
Looking ahead, ownership is also preparing for the anticipated impact of the Sundance Film Festival’s planned transition to Boulder, which is expected to further elevate regional demand and national visibility.
The acquisition reflects the strength of the partnership between Storie Co. and GBX Group, who share a common philosophy around disciplined investment, adaptive reuse, historic stewardship, and community-oriented development. Together, the firms bring deep experience across hospitality investment, asset management, and redevelopment, enabling a thoughtful and well-capitalized approach to long-term ownership.
“Trailhead Lodge and The Outpost represent exactly the type of opportunity we pursue at Storie Co. — distinctive, well-located assets in enduring drive-to destinations with meaningful barriers to entry,” Storie Co. Founder and CEO Nathan Nichols said in a statement. “Estes Park sits at the front door of Rocky Mountain National Park, and these properties offer an authentic platform to serve guests seeking connection to the outdoors without compromising comfort. Our focus is long-term ownership, disciplined capital investment, and a hands-on asset management approach. We are proud to partner with GBX and the Estes Park community as we steward and grow this irreplaceable lodging offering.”
Storie Co. will work closely with Leisure Hotels & Resorts, local vendors, municipal partners, and community stakeholders to ensure the properties evolve in a way that supports both guest experience and the broader Estes Park community.
“Trailhead is a strong, thoughtfully executed hospitality platform in an irreplaceable location — and one with real history,” said Drew Sparacia, founder and CEO of GBX Group. “The property has welcomed visitors to the gateway of Rocky Mountain National Park since the 1950s, and our approach is rooted in honoring that legacy while investing in its future. Partnering with Storie Co. allows us to build on the existing foundation while bringing a disciplined ownership perspective focused on durability, guest experience, and community integration."