When the water in the Boulder Creek rose quickly it flooded the bridge from Highway 119 to the mountain resort almost two weeks ago.
As a result the Red Lion had to relocate four weddings.
“We only had a couple of options when the state and county claimed they didn’t own the bridge,” said owner Chris Mueller.
“I was ready to pack in after 47 years of hosting weddings and serving dinners at the lodge across the creek, but when the idea of putting an flatbed rail car over the creek came up, it sounded like something I could do to save jobs and the business I love.”
After finding a car in Gilcrest Tuesday, Mueller decided to give the flatbed a try.
When it was towed up the canyon Thursday and put into place Friday morning, it all seemed to work.
The first wedding since the bridge was torn out went off without a hitch as Nicolle and Matt Ertl exchanged vows under a beautiful Colorado sky.
More than 100 of their guests were shuttled in since the bridge still does not have clearance to hold vehicles.
When the business resumes to a normal pace, they plan to put a second bridge.
It would be placed next to the one that is already there and will allow for two-way traffic over the creek.
As for now, weddings are back on for the rest of the summer.
Jon Bowman Reporter
June 18, 2010
Copyright © 2010, KDVR-TV
