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March 2019 \ BUILDING DIALOGUE \ 69 T he vast majority of thermal hot springs in our country flowabundant in thewestern half. These “healing waters” have provid- ed rejuvenation and relaxation to people through the ages. Today, innovative design and planning at these facilities help them evolve to bring joy to new generations. Hot springs are an economic driver for a number of mountain towns in Colorado, and each boasts a unique and complex range of natural and built systems that are in various stages of their life cycle. Some are at a point where they need to update their filtration and water treat- ment systems in order to complywith current codes. Others are looking for mechanical updates that take advantage of newer, more energy-efficient technologies that weren’t available 50 to 100 years ago, as well as more advanced pool layouts, and upgraded materials. These new updates and amenities cater to modern day hot spring visitors and im- prove the guest experience. In November, the first-ever national conference for hot springs was held in Glenwood Springs, coordinated by the tourism marketing firm Resort Trends Inc. The Hot Springs Connection, which is planning its second con- ference for this fall, brought together owners, operators, managers and de- sign professionals. The conference agenda included a tour the Glenwood Hot Springs facility to learn about the upcoming improvements from staff and the design team. Conference coordinator Vicky Nash said, “This event was the first step in creating a unified approach to collaboration with hot springs industry partners throughout theUnited States. Working together is sure to produce beneficial results across the entire spectrum, from health and wellness practices to technical operations.” Trends in the industry point toward modern efficiencies and expand- ed programming, shifting from single large pools to facilities that offer a range of water experiences with space for quiet coves as well asmore active and engaging areas for family fun. When the city of Ouray recently decided to update its public thermal pool, little did the city know that it would be able to increase its capacity, improve ease of maintenance, and start utilizing its geothermal resources in new, sustainable ways – all in just one season. Ouray’s tourist influx is double the size of the town’s population in sum- mer months, but since its hot springs facility is public, local community input was a particularly important step in the design process. Citizens did not want the pool to become a high-end resort that would price them out of a place they have soaked for generations. By adapting the original, century-old pool into multiple curvilinear pools, eachwith a different temperature and purpose, the design teamwas able to eliminate wasted space, create more privacy, and build a more in- Jen DiCuollo Senior Associate, DHM Sustainable Hot Springs Facility Design Brings New Life to Colorado Tourism