Stanley Hotel in Colorado Sold to Public-Private Partnership with $400 Million Expansion

The historic Stanley Hotel in Estes Park was sold to a public-private partnership led by the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority (CECFA) and private bond investors, forming the Stanley Partnership for Art Culture and Education (SPACE). Former owner John W. Cullen IV, who has managed the property for nearly 30 years, will continue to lead the hotel under the new ownership. The sale includes a nearly $400 million bond offering to fund a major expansion featuring 65 additional hotel rooms, a 65,000 square foot event center with an 864-person auditorium, and a horror film museum curated by Blumhouse Productions. The hotel, famous for inspiring Stephen King's "The Shining," will maintain normal operations while embracing growth and innovation, including attracting film productions to Colorado. Sage Hospitality Group has been appointed as the new management company, and the Stanley Hotel will also host the Sundance Institute’s 2025 Directors Lab. This partnership aims to preserve the hotel's legacy while enhancing its historic value and boosting tourism for Estes Park and Colorado.