Colorado Shines Light on Montrose’s Award-Winning Hotel

Colorado’s spotlight is shining on Montrose County this month, and the statewide attention is the result of a win that reaches all the way to Grand Junction. So, what’s being celebrated?

The 115-year-old Rathbone Hotel in Montrose has been named a top small-community project by the organization Downtown Colorado Inc. The hotel has been transformed into a modern boutique destination, proving that rural downtowns can once again become economic drivers.

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What Award Did the Rathbone Hotel Win?

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The Rathbone Hotel has officially earned the “Best Project – Small Community” award at the 2026 Downtown Colorado Inc. Excellence Awards. The award is presented to recognize outstanding efforts in revitalization, design, and community impact. The award is typically given to projects that revitalize historic downtown communities while adding momentum to local economies. Colorado communities such as New Castle, Grand Junction, Pagosa Springs, Steamboat Springs, and Palisade have all received various awards in small community categories in recent years.

Why the Rathbone Hotel Stands Out in Montrose

The Knights of Pythias building in Montrose was completed in October of 1909, and can be found at 33 S. Cascade Avenue. The original construction costs came to just over $24,000, according to the city. Today, the Rathbone Hotel occupies the building with 17 unique rooms and an on-site bar. The revitalization of the building reflects a growing trend of reusing some of Colorado’s most historic buildings. The KP Building/Rathbone Hotel was added to the Montrose Register of Historic Places on November 1, 2022.

Why This Award Matters for Montrose and Grand Junction

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For a community or historic building to earn an Excellence Award from Downtown Colorado Inc., it takes visibility, tourism, and future investment. As Montrose continues to see rising tourism numbers, nearby hubs like Ouray, Delta, and Grand Junction usually see spillover traffic. The Rathbone Hotel’s return to life following a 2012 fire is a success story that is worth celebrating. This success creates an even stronger regional economy as communities up and down the Western Slope see the benefits of rebuilding around a revitalized downtown.

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Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams

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Major Airlines at Montrose Regional Airport (MTJ)

At Montrose Regional Airport, five airlines form the backbone of commercial air service. Together, they provide the core connectivity for the region, with flight schedules that expand and contract throughout the year—ramping up during the busy summer tourism season and again in winter as ski travel to the San Juan Mountains peaks.

Gallery Credit: Wesley Adams