Nederland’s historic Pioneer Inn
Struts its stuff for Valentine’s Day
This is it. This is the place to go for Valentine’s Day. Take those who mean the most to you to Nederland’s historic Pioneer Inn. Lunch and diner specials to include 6 oz. Rib Eye Steak or Salmon with a special sauce are two of the entries offered for the celebration of Valentine’s Day, with a complimentary mimosa or non-alcoholic beverage of your choice. There will also be a Blues Jam hosted by Chris Smith to provide the music to snuggle up with your favorite squeeze or your friends and family. That will start at 9 pm. There will be a photographer there to take your picture for a keepsake of the evening together.
Historically, the original building, which is now The Pioneer Inn, may have been built between 1872 and 1898. James W. Hertzer owned the property during that time. He may have built the current building, as well as the Hertzer House Hotel, which was a block south of the current Katmandu restaurant. Since that time there have been many owners including, Homer Woodbury, a druggist. The building was sold to Woodbury January 31, 1927 for $300. The drug store included an old time soda fountain, as well as candy, newspapers and the post office.
Sherman Drug operated out of that building after Woodbury’s death until he moved his drug store to Alamosa, Colorado. The building has also been a grocery store and a trading post.
The current Pioneer Inn was purchased in 1972 by Bunny Spangler (current owner) and her husband of that time, Art Yeotis, from Cecil Jenkins. One report of unknown origin describes the events of 1972: “Jenkins allegedly disliked hippies and had a sign in the window that said, “No longhairs or unkempt beards allowed.”
Bunny promptly removed the sign and began booking live music. They originally operated it as a soda fountain and an ice cream store. You can still get your favorite soda fountain items, like the cherry coke my friend ordered last week, and you can usually get ice cream. Bunny and Art also made many improvements to the building. They added significantly to the seating capacity. They also added a room to contain a pool table and several games. However, the original soda fountain mirror is still in back of the bar.
Until a tragic fire in 1985, the Caribou Ranch, a recording studio owned by James Guercio, recorded numerous music artists, such as: The Beach Boys; David Cassidy; Chicago, The (Nitty Gritty) Dirt Band; Earth, Wind and Fire; Dan Fogelberg; Joe Walsh, Waylon Jennings; Billy Joel; Elton John; Kris Kristofferson; John Lennon; Jerry Lee Lewis; Michael Murphy; Tony Orlando; Eddie Rabbit; Billy Joe Shaver; Rod Stewart; and U2, to name just a few. Spangler and Guercio worked hand and hand. The Rocky Mountain News reported in their Jan.26, 2008 edition that: “(The Pioneer Inn) became the home away from home for some of the superstars who recorded at the Caribou Ranch.” Spanger said, “This is the one place in town where they would go. When the bands wanted to go out for a beer they would go to the Pioneer Inn. They would have incredible jams here. The local musicians could sit in with all of their favorite artists and just play and sing until the wee hours.” One musician, bassist Kenny Passarelli, said, “It was a nonstop happening, especially on Friday nights. If these walls could talk, they’d hardly know where to start.”
The Rocky Mountain news quoted Addison Waite, Pioneer Inn night manager of the time. He said, “Joe Walsh actually worked behind the bar for about 45 minutes before someone recognized him.”
Bunny said, “The musicians came because it was no big deal, just a local bar. No one bothered them. That was a crucial point. Everyone was absolutely respectful. Those people came in. They enjoyed as much time as they wanted to spend here and nobody bothered them.”
Fogelberg and Spangler were good friends. She even took care of his dog when he was on the road. Bunny, as most call her, has had many friends over the years, local friends, famous friends and local famous friends. She even says that she has helped many local people grow up and move on from the Pioneer to enjoy productive and wonderful lives in the community. She feels saddened when someone blames the Pioneer Inn for some things that happen in other’s lives, when they have not necessarily moved on from having a good time at the bar, but she says she can’t help but feel proud of her contributions to the community in ways that haven’t even been seen by her staff. “Many couples have met here.” Bunny says. She goes on to say, “They have fallen in love here, gone on to get married and have raised their families. They even bring their families back to The Pioneer to share their family history with their loved ones.”
Many of her staff have been with her many years. Eve Dutka has been at the Pioneer for 28 years and Sheri Lynn Voss has been there for 16 years. Steve Rompa had been at the bar for 25 years, before he died 5 years ago. Bunny says that her staff is her family.
She recently got a call from a student she helped to go to college. He wanted to thank her. It had been 20 years since the community had a fund-raiser for the young man at the Pioneer Inn. She had given them a big discount for the food, as she often does, with locals. It was a very successful fund-raiser and the young man went on to bigger and better things. She says she loves doing those things and loves to remember those events. However, she has had to be a tough minded, strong woman to survive this many years in business. She has made some enemies but far more frequently folks like to refer to her as a friend.
Bunny wants to retire to spend more time with her husband, Tom Snow, and her precious little dog, Annie Sit Down, which someone brought to her 15 years ago after finding her in a trashcan. The Pioneer Inn is for sale or lease. It is listed with Colorado Group, Todd Walsh, 303-449-2131, ext. 133 or walsh@coloradogroup.com
In the meantime, Bunny and her staff continue to serve great food at excellent prices in a hometown atmosphere.