Tucked away just steps from downtown Durango, The Gable House is more than a historic place to stay—it’s a living piece of the community. Originally built in 1892, the home has worn many hats over the years, and today it continues that legacy of hospitality under the care of owners Tracie Trotter and Charlie Goodman. With a deep appreciation for local connection, history, and thoughtful guest experiences, Tracie and Charlie are helping shape what it means to stay somewhere truly rooted in place.

We sat down with them to learn more about The Gable House and the role it plays in Durango today.

What makes The Gable House such a special place for both guests and the local community?

It is really all about being part of the community. We love Durango and all of the opportunities to be involved and share experiences with our guests, neighbors, local friends, and businesses. The history of the Gable House is rich and colorful, and sharing that with our community and guests keeps it alive.

You prioritize sourcing locally and supporting nearby businesses. Why is that important to you, and how does it shape the guest experience?

We are a small community, and every referral to a restaurant, every purchase from a local vendor or entrepreneur makes a big difference in their success. Their success is our success. Our guests feel that local support and it makes for a true Durango experience.

What are some of your favorite features or spaces in the house?

The gardens! In the summer, the gardens are magical. Events and weddings in this beautiful space are very special! The second-floor balcony is cozy and so fun. Last year, the Bluegrass band that stayed with us serenaded the neighborhood from this balcony, and they all loved it! The lovely common spaces have welcomed many groups for their board meetings, receptions, and events.

And as a nurse, I LOVE the fact that healing occurred in this space. It is very serendipitous that we are privileged to be the conservators of this beautiful home and space.

What’s a typical day like for guests at The Gable House?

We start their day with a coffee and tea service in the music room. We then open our dining room for a seated course of housemade granola, organic yogurt, and fresh fruit, then a full specialty hot breakfast. They then typically are off to explore our charming downtown or some amazing outdoor activities. When they return, they are often dining in one of our fabulous local restaurants, and or participating in a local event! We also often have guests who are involved with our local activities and events (Playfest, Music in the Mountains, Four Corners Motorcycle Rally, The Cowboy Gathering, Snowdown Murder Mystery, Durango Independent Film Festival, The Celtic Festival, or the Bluegrass Meltdown).

Anything I didn’t ask that you want to share?

We are always looking for new and meaningful ways to enhance our guests’ experience in and around the beautiful Durango area and this amazing Southwest region. Our goal is to highlight and strengthen the partnerships that make our local community so special. We welcome the guests brought in by our local community partners: hospitals, government, banking, real estate, and so many more. The experiences each of our local businesses creates for your guests are the same kind of meaningful, memorable moments we strive to offer from sunrise to sunset here at the Gable House. We’d love to collaborate and grow together, bringing our shared vision to life while supporting one another and continuing to draw people to everything this community has to offer.

Whether it’s through collaboration with local business owners, entrepreneurs, or even the unique talents and professions of our guests themselves, we welcome opportunities to create something special. If there’s a way to expand what we offer – whether through new services, partnerships, or curated experiences- we are always open to the conversation. We strive to continually evolve and provide memorable, authentic experiences that truly reflect the character of this incredible region.

Visit The Gable House

The Gable House offers a warm, thoughtfully designed stay in the heart of Durango, blending comfort, character, and a strong sense of place. We’re grateful to have them as part of the Local First community.

Visit them at 805 East 5th Avenue, Durango, CO 81301. Learn more or book your stay at https://www.gablehousedurango.com, and follow along on Instagram to see more of their space and experience.