On January 30, hospitality investment and development company Storie Co., in partnership with Cleveland-based real estate investment firm GBX Group, completed the acquisition of Trailhead Lodge Rocky Mountains and The Outpost Rocky Mountains in Estes Park, Colorado. The acquisition marks a new chapter for two well-located, character-rich lodging assets at the gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park.
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. The transition reflects Storie Co.’s long-term ownership philosophy: pairing experienced operators with a hands-on asset management approach to thoughtfully enhance performance while preserving each property’s sense of place.
A Compelling Asset at the Front Door of Rocky Mountain National Park
Trailhead Lodge and The Outpost occupy a highly 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.
The properties themselves offer a flexible lodging mix that resonates with modern travelers seeking access to nature without sacrificing comfort or authenticity. Storie Co. plans to build upon this foundation through targeted capital investment, operational refinement, and guest experience enhancements that reinforce the assets’ connection to their surroundings.
Forward-Looking Business Plan and Thoughtful Growth
As part of its long-term business plan, 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.
A Partnership-Driven Approach to Ownership
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.
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. Collaboration with trusted partners remains central to Storie Co.’s strategy across its growing portfolio.
Looking ahead, Storie Co. is excited to thoughtfully author the next chapter of Trailhead Lodge and The Outpost—investing in the assets, supporting on-property teams, and engaging meaningfully with the local community to ensure the properties continue to thrive with authenticity, care, and long-term perspective.
Book Now at Trailhead Lodge
Book Now at The Outpost
About GBX Group LLC
GBX Group LLC specializes in acquiring, preserving and operating historic real estate in urban markets. The company partners with investors to fund the acquisition and preservation of historic real estate with the goal of generating community revitalization and economic growth. As of January 2026, GBX has been involved in 216 real estate projects in 24 states. For more about GBX, visit gbxgroup.com/.
About Storie Co. LLC
Storie Co. is a hospitality investment, development, and asset management firm focused on acquiring and enhancing distinctive hotel and resort properties in high-barrier-to-entry, drive-to destination markets. The company partners with investors to identify underperforming or undercapitalized assets and unlock value through disciplined underwriting, targeted capital investment, operational repositioning, and hands-on asset management. For more information about Storie Co. visit https://storiecollc.com/