IDAHO SPRINGS — On Friday, May 1, 2026, a crowd gathered beneath blue skies and spring snow to witness what city leaders called a once-in-a-generation moment.

The Mighty Argo Cable Car officially launched with a ribbon cutting at the historic Argo Mill & Tunnel, sending its first cars up the mountainside to Miners Point. 

The 1.25-mile ride climbs more than 1,000 feet, connecting downtown Idaho Springs with a new summit destination known as the Outpost.

“This probably is the biggest thing that's happened in the city of Idaho Springs. Literally since 1893, when they started the Argo Tunnel. And the irony is that the cable that he built on the gondola alignment is almost exactly the alignment with the Argo Tunnel,” said Mayor Chuck Harmon during remarks at the summit.

History meets what’s next

From the base of the Argo Mill to the overlook at Miners Point, the cable car traces a path that mirrors the engineering ambition of the Argo Tunnel itself.

Speakers throughout the ceremony returned to a central theme: the project ties Idaho Springs’ mining legacy directly to its future.

“This project represents years of vision, collaboration, investment, and belief,” one speaker told the crowd. “It connects our history…with a new way to experience the landscape.”

That connection is not just symbolic. At the top, visitors can step off the cable car to access a growing network of hiking and biking trails across Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, expanding the town’s outdoor recreation footprint.

Mary Jane Loevlie, a driving force behind the project, described the effort as “striking a balance between the past and the future as we create memories now.”

A $71 million effort years in the making

The scale of the project was evident in both the infrastructure and the remarks from city leadership.

Harmon acknowledged the complexity behind the scenes. “With a $71 million project, there was a lot of things that came up. But the people were an absolute pleasure to work with,” he said, adding that the Argo team made his job “a lot easier.”

That partnership extended beyond construction. The Mighty Argo team also contributed a $400,000 gift to the city to help kick off a system of mountain bike trails around Miners Point, known as the Virginia Canyon Mountain Park, an investment Harmon said came with no expectation in return.

“They have been very generous with the city as well,” he said.

Bryan McFarland, Loevlie’s business partner, summed up the process bluntly, calling it “blood, sweat, tears, and years” to bring the vision to life.

Celebration at the Outpost

After the ribbon cutting, guests boarded the first cable cars, including a glass-bottom car, for the ride to the summit.

At the Outpost, the celebration continued inside and out. A pianist played as guests filtered through the new building, while a portrait artist sketched attendees and a plein air painter captured the alpine scene.

Food was prepared by the Mighty Argo culinary team and brought up from town, with plans for expanded food service at the summit in the future.

Outside, a photo-worthy moment came courtesy of a 29-year-old burro named Jack. Accompanied by veteran burro racer "Miner Bill," Jack carried traditional mining tools, including a shovel and gold pan, offering a living snapshot of the region’s past. The pair, who live across the valley, posed for photos with visitors throughout the event.

A small amphitheater is located just outside the Outpost, along with an overlook platform that will soon be completed.

More than a ride

The Mighty Argo Cable Car is designed as a year-round attraction, with cars that hold up to 10 passengers and accommodations for bikes. It is fully ADA-accessible and intended to serve visitors of all ages.

But for Idaho Springs, the project represents more than a scenic ride. Speakers described it as a transformative investment in the community, one that builds on the same grit and determination that defined the town’s mining roots.

“This is only the beginning,” one project leader said, noting that operations, trails, and visitor experiences will continue to evolve in the coming months.

The Mighty Argo will host a special Clear Creek County Local Preview Day on Thursday, May 7, 2026. This one-day preview will be open only to Clear Creek County residents and limited to 400 guests.

The Mighty Argo Cable Car will hold its soft opening to the public on Saturday, May 9, 2026, with limited capacity as operations ramp up. During the soft opening period, guests will have the opportunity to experience the cable car while the team continues refining operations, guest flow, and the overall visitor experience.

The official Grand Opening Celebration will take place Memorial Day Weekend, welcoming the broader community and visitors from across Colorado and beyond to celebrate the official launch of full operations.

Living history

Standing high above town, with the Argo Tunnel far below, Harmon reminded the crowd that moments like this do not come often. “We are living through history,” he said.

On Friday, Idaho Springs marked a milestone that reaches back to 1893. This time, instead of digging into the mountain, the attraction is rising above it.