In the late 19th century, a steam-powered narrow-gauge railroad wound its way from Boulder into the mountains of western Boulder County. The railroad succeeded in its purpose of hauling coal and other supplies to the mining towns and returning with silver and gold ore. Meanwhile, the general public rode around town in horse-drawn vehicles. Boulder residents and others longed for a change of scenery and cooler mountain air.
In 1898, when the Colorado & Northwestern Railroad replaced the former route of the Greeley, Salt Lake & Pacific (that never saw its namesakes), promoters rebranded their company and catered to excursionists. A local resident came up with the name “Switzerland Trail,” and the railroad company added “of America.”
The Switzerland Trail of America brought tourism to western Boulder County…