Many travelers stop in Idaho Springs on their way to popular ski resorts and summer retreats, as the former mining town is a quick exit off I-70. But with the debut of the Mighty Argo Cable Car, there’s a new reason for visitors to stay a while.
“In 30 minutes from Denver, you can truly immerse yourself in Colorado mountains and history,” says Rose Miller, events and marketing coordinator for the Mighty Argo Cable Car.
The attraction is next to the Argo Mill and Tunnel, a local landmark that’s open for mining tours and gold panning. Meanwhile, the gondola provides travelers of all abilities access to panoramic views and outdoor recreation opportunities. It’s an exciting new chapter for Idaho Springs and a source of pride for many locals—especially one in particular.
Preserving Idaho Springs’ Past
Mary Jane Loevlie’s father built their family home in Idaho Springs years before the interstate cut through the historic mountain town and turned it into more of a pitstop than a destination. But Loevlie didn’t witness this downturn in action. Amid the construction, she ventured to Vermont for college, then worked abroad for a nonprofit and met her husband in Norway.
Together, they returned to Idaho Springs in the early 1980s and established a successful concrete company. Loevlie pushed forward in business, growing a real estate development firm that at one point owned nearly every structure on Miner Street. She refreshed downtown’s colorful Victorians and insisted on brick sidewalks and era-inspired streetlights.
Given her commitment to preserving the past, it came as no surprise when Loevlie purchased the Argo Mill and Tunnel in 2016. However, few could have guessed the venture that followed.
One evening, while looking out beyond the deck her father built decades ago, Loevlie had a lightbulb moment: What if a gondola were to stretch into the mountains beyond the mill? Ever the entrepreneur, she got to work.
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From Concept to Cable Car
Many in town were inspired by this grand vision. Travis Cook, who co-founded Icelantic Skis with Loevlie’s daughter, Annelise, came on board as the project’s design director. Back in 2019, he hiked throughout the area and plotted what would become the gondola line.
Meanwhile, Loevlie garnered support from a group of 35 locals and pulled together $4.5 million. Things were looking promising but, to make a long story short, the deposit was later stolen by a Virginia-based title company. Simultaneously, the pandemic caused material costs to skyrocket. Though initially estimated at $58 million, the project eventually totaled to $71 million.
Construction never happens without hurdles, but Loevlie encountered beyond her fair share. However, she remained persistent and, ultimately, found success. Major financing came through from the private equity firm Gondola Ventures, as well as the Funis Group out of Austria.
Doppelmayr joined as the cable car’s manufacturer, and helicopters flew in the gondola towers while a mountaintop hub took shape. Finally, over Memorial Day Weekend in 2026, the attraction celebrated its official grand opening.
The Mighty Argo Experience
To reach the new cable car, those traveling from the metro area take the first exit into Idaho Springs. The attraction features a parking lot with 150 spaces next to a ticketing hub that also offers snacks and souvenirs. Collect your wristband, then climb the stairs or walk up the ramp to the base station where attendees direct passengers and well-behaved pets into cabins.
Projected to attract as many as 700,000 visitors each year, the gondola has 27 cabins that each seat 10 people. Five of the cabins have glass bottoms, and five can accommodate bikes.
Riders gain 1,300 feet of elevation during the eight-minute ascent, which offers views of the town’s historic district and Virginia Canyon Mountain Park. It features 16 miles of new trails, with most dedicated to mountain bikers of varying skill levels. Certain paths are designated for uphill riders and hikers, and an additional 12 miles of routes are planned for next year.
Watch daring cyclists navigate wall rides and expert jump lines as you approach the upper terminal. This mountaintop space, called Miners Point, is a place you’ll want to linger.
Stop inside the Outpost for miners pasties (hearty meat-and-vegetable hand pies once popular among prospectors) and order a cold beer from the Sun and Moon bar, which was named after the mining claim it rests upon. There’s also the Gold Bar on the top deck and an outdoor amphitheater that comfortably seats 350 guests.
The venue’s summer event calendar includes free live music, ticketed concerts and other activities like guided yoga and painting classes. It’s also open for private events, making it one of the state’s newest and most scenic wedding venues.
With a heating system and the ability to close off decks, the Outpost will operate year-round, as will the cable car. Come winter, guests can look forward to fat biking opportunities and perhaps even snowshoeing after heavy winter storms.
“People are excited to see where this goes and how it’s going to continue to evolve as a project. I know that Mary Jane has a ton of plans for what is to come,” says Miller, adding that zoning has been approved for a hotel and glamping.
But even now, there’s plenty to explore. To visit the new Mighty Argo Cable Car, plan to purchase tickets online and arrive at your selected time slot. Passes provide unlimited rides and cost $49.95 per adult and $29.95 per child ages six to 17. Idaho Springs locals can enjoy the attraction for free, though blackout dates apply.
