On the historic side of the Hotel Boulderado, between the third and fourth floors of the staircase, there is an unassuming light fixture providing guests with illumination as they make their way up and down the stairs. This particular light fixture is a unique addition to the Boulderado's collection of antiques.When the Boulderado opened in 1909, it was unclear whether the "new" power source -- electricity -- would be reliable. Particularly here in Colorado, with our sudden gusts of wind, the early power lines went down easily. To hedge their bets, the management decided to purchase light fixtures that could run on either the new-fangled electricity or the old, reliable coal gas. An example of this light fixture is the very same found between the third and fourth floors. The Boulderado purchased this authentic fixture from that period from the old Denver Capital building as a reminder of the history of energy the hotel has witnessed.
