What's That Strange Smell In This Colorado Mountain Town?

Glenwood Springs is one of my favorite places to visit in Western Colorado. Home to must-visit attractions like Glenwood Canyons Adventure Park, Hanging Lake Natural Landmark, Sunlight Mountain Ski Resort, the Glenwood Vaudeville Revue, and the Frontier Historical Museum to name a few.

Some people visit Glenwood Springs and wonder what the strange smell is. It's not always as noticeable, but when it hits you won't forget it. What causes the strange 'rotten egg' smell wafting through this Colorado mountain town?

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What's That Smell I Notice In Glenwood Springs?

The strange scent in Glenwood Springs is the smell of hydrogen sulfide. Also known as sewer gas, swamp gas, stink damp, and sour damp. According to Glenwood Hot Springs, the compound comes from sulfur and bacteria converted into H2S (hydrogen sulfide) inside Colorado's geothermal pools.

The World's Largest Hot Springs Pool

Jacob Boomsma

Glenwood Springs is home to the world's largest geothermal hot springs pool. Pagosa Springs, in southern Colorado, is home to the world's deepest geothermal hot springs. BOTH come with that unmistakable eggy stink due to the compound conversion happening in the water, but the smell in Pagosa Springs is even worse. Do you know why?

Are All Hot Springs Equally Stinky?

Not all hot springs are created equally stinky. Some are worse than others. What causes the severity of the stink at Colorado's hot springs? It has to do with the depth of the hot springs itself.

The deeper the hot springs, and the faster the water is sent to the surface, the worse the smell. Iron Mountain Hotsprings says the less time the water spends exposed to oxygen, the stinkier it is when it hits the surface.

Never been to Glenwood Hot Springs? Learn all about it in the photo gallery below.

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LOOK: 25 Facts About Colorado's Largest Mineral Hot Springs Pool

Colorado is home to dozens of hot springs and geothermal pools including the world's largest mineral hot springs pool in Glenwood Springs. The pool is open year-round and is one of the most popular places to warm your bones. Check out 25 facts you may not have known about the amazing Glenwood Hot Springs pool.

Gallery Credit: Wes Adams

MORE: 26 Colorado Hot Springs to Warm Your Bones

Climbing, skiing, hiking, and swimming can leave us pretty worn out. It's a good thing there are plenty of hot springs and geothermal pools around the state to help relax those muscles.

KEEP GOING: Hot Springs Where You Can Be Legally Naked in Colorado

Have you considered visiting a clothing-optional hot springs in Colorado? There are a number to choose from. Below you'll find information, links, and maps to a number of locations across the state. For the obvious reason, some resorts do not offer photos of their facilities.

Gallery Credit: Waylon Jordan