FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

House Rules

Navigating life at The Refuge

FAQ

Answers to common questions.

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HOUSE RULES

Watch the sunrise Relax, unwind and enjoy Take a nap Go for a stroll Daydream Feel the breeze Go to bed early Journal Put your feet up Reminisce Make s’mores Enjoy a book Listen to the birds Sit by the fire Meditate on God’s word Make memories Sleep in late Fast or Feast Savor the view Visit with friends Kick back with a glass of wine And have fun!

ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS

Who is welcomed to The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin?
We are called to serve Bible believing and practicing lovers of Jesus Christ who need rest, replenishment, renewal, and a place for fellowship with like-minded folk.
Who are the most frequent guests?
Local church groups, mission organizations and Christian non-profits. This includes: missionaries, pastors, clergy, chaplains, ministry directors, seminary students, women’s/men’s retreats, cross-cultural relief and development workers.
What programs are available?
Most guests of the Refuge/ Sentinel Cabin engage in self-directing retreats. Others, desire our intensive input with respect to navigating life’s challenging transitions. We offer high quality debriefing. prefield missionary training, next-steps life planning and facilitated workshops. These programs have their own price structure, both for accommodation and program fees. See the “Resources” tab for more specific details before contacting us about your specific area of interest.
Do others share The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin with us?
We never schedule another party during your stay. This means the entire space is set apart to be solely yours for the duration of your booking.
Are pets allowed?
We do not allow fury friends, indoors or outdoors, anywhere on the property.
Can we bring children?
The Refuge was designed and furnished with adults-only in mind and is regrettably not a child friendly environment. We do however offer alternative lodging for families: The Sentinel Cabin (See below)
The Sentinel Cabin: lodging for everyone including families
Located on the south end of the property, The Sentinel Cabin. It can accommodate a family of five. The Sentinel Cabin provides guests with comfort and privacy while feeling at home in the mountains. When larger groups need additional beds than are available at The Refuge, they can add The Sentinel to their booking.
Is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin accessible to people with mobility disabilities?
Getting around in the physical world is something many of us may take for granted. Regrettably our amenities are not accessible if you have a functional limitation that interferes with your mobility.
Is there a minimum number of nights stay?
Yes. To increase the benefits of disconnecting from your busy world and finding space and time to rest, guests stay for a minimum of two (2) nights; we recommend more. Note: The Refuge is closed Nov-Apr except for groups of 5+ and there is a minimum 3 night stay.
What is the cost per night at The Refuge/The Sentinel Cabin?
See the “Cost” tab for more specific details. Because we operate debt free and are a non-profit ministry, we suggest that individuals, couples, and groups donate what they can. We realize that some people cannot afford the suggested donation per night per person. Others can give much more. Your contribution together with donations from, friends, churches and a foundation, help us sustain, maintain and improve The Refuge & Sentinel.
How & when do we pay for our reservation?
Your payment method will be either by check or cash. No matter how far in advance you book, we do not receive payment until 24 hours after your scheduled check-in. This gives us time to make sure everything is as you expected. The only exception is if you have been required to pay a non-refundable deposit ahead of time.
Is there a cleaning fee for The Refuge/The Sentinel Cabin?
A clean and inviting accommodation is one of the basic amenities that you as a guest would expect when you overnight at The Refuge/ Sentinel Cabin. When we have 1-4 guests we are more than capable of sprucing up your accommodations without a professional cleaning fee expense. We do, however, hire a professional cleaning team when have groups of 5 or more. The cleaners time and effort is well spent preparing the amenities for future guest’s arrival. These costs are absorbed by your nightly contributions.
Are there block out dates?
Yes. Christmas (Dec 20-Jan 2). Easter Week. Thanksgiving Week.
When is The Refuge available?
The Refuge is open from May to October with the exception of the listed block out dates. Between November and April the Refuge is only available to Groups of 5+ adults requesting a minimum of a 3 night stay.
What about Groups and their rates?
The Refuge has five bedrooms; there are 8 beds that sleeps 9. For larger groups you may either BYO blowup beds or sleep on the couches, or if you would prefer additional beds than are available, you can add The Sentinel to your booking. May-Oct: When it comes to Groups of 7 or more, the suggested donation is $40/adult/night. Nov-Apr: The Refuge is exclusively open only for Groups of 5+ adults requesting a minimum of a 3 night stay at a fixed contribution rate of $60/adult/night (A non-refundable deposit of $180 is required to secure your booking)
When is the Sentinel Cabin available?
The Sentinel is open year round with the exception of the listed block out dates.
Is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin available for day use?
The day use rate for The Refuge is $15 per person (May-October). The Sentinel is not available.
How does check-in and check-out work?
Check-in begins at 11 AM (you can check-in at any time after). Check out is at 4 PM. Once your booking is confirmed. and you’ll receive an email, with your personalized front door entry code/ details about you door key. You should then also download directions to The Refuge/The Sentinel Cabin. When you reach The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin, if we’re not present to welcome you, simply enter the code on the door or retrieve your key and begin to unwind and find rest. When it comes time to head back to the daily grind, take a deep breath and be sure to follow all the departure instructions, including locking all the doors and windows before you leave.
Do we cook our own food or is it prepared for us?
The spacious, well-furnished kitchen allows you to prepare meals for yourself. We provide essentials like oil, salt and pepper, and an assortment of spices. You can get creative by bringing your own must-have ingredients and provisions. For coffee lovers, there is a regular coffee maker as well as a Keurig Coffee Maker, so do not forget to bring your favorite ground coffee or K-Cup Pods. There is no need for you to pack paper towels and dish soap as we also provide these. An outdoor grill is also available for your use at your location.
Do we bring our own bedding?
We provide linens and towels for up to 9 guests at The Refuge & 5 guests at The Sentinel. We do ask that you remove all sheets and towels and put them in the laundry room before you leave.
Is there cell phone reception?
Because of the secluded nature of our location, cell phone service is a little spotty. Depending on your service provider, you may not get any reception at all – if this is the case, embrace the rare opportunity to unplug and relax. Where cell phones occasionally work, we discourage their use. If you need to keep in touch with family back home or make an emergency call, there is a phone line available for your convenience.
Is there cable television and internet access?
A large screen television is available for DVD and video use only. Please bring your own movies as our selection is very limited. We have intentionally avoided live television and internet/WiFi in order to encourage you to disengage from technology and engage your interior life.
How is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin secured?
The Refuge’s front entrance is secured with a digital door lock. The Sentinel Cabin has a regular key entry. A phone is available for local and long distance calling. We are situated where wildlife and insects may be present, so bare in mind that you are responsible for taking appropriate safety measures. This means putting food away, keeping the outdoor courtyards clean and all doors closed and locked, securing personal items, and bringing your bug spray.
What about tobacco, vaping, marijuana and drugs, are they allowed?
The Refuge and The Sentinel Cabin are strictly a drug free zones. In addition, tobacco use, vaping, and marijuana are prohibited on the 80 acres.
Are there any additional rules that I need to know about?
Safety, comfort and ensuring a good experience for all our guests is important to us. We ask that guests: * Never leave an indoor fireplace unattended * Never leave food and/or trash outside that may attract wildlife * Do not shoot, hunt or trap at any time * Do not host parties or events to which unregistered guests are invited
What is the weather like?
The elevation is 7,200 ft and the weather is typical drama-ridden Colorado weather. It can change rapidly from sunshine to storms. Summers consist of hot sunshine and rain. Winter storms can turn to blizzards. Come prepared for all possibilities.
How should we dress?
Depending on the season, you will want to dress for warm and cold scenarios. In summer, evenings typically cool off. The sun can be very hot during the day. Bring sunscreen and warm clothing. It’s advisable to wear closed-toe shoes while hiking on the property’s trails or in the region due to ungroomed paths and prevalence of rocks, cacti and possibly, even snakes.
What else should I pack?
Because of the dirt roads, dusty trails and sometimes muddy/snowy conditions, we ask all guests to remove their shoes at the front door. With that in mind, you are encouraged to pack indoor/house shoes, like slippers for your comfort. Also, we suggest you bring overnight essentials (toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries) and anything you can’t live without. The Refuge does have playing cards, puzzles and an assortment of board games.
What kind of outdoor activities are there?
More than 2.5 miles of trails for hiking sprawl out in all directions on the 80 acre property. With a Colorado fishing license in hand, lakes and streams are 30 min. to 1 hour away. Skiing is 2+ hours away.
Should I be mindful about the water supply?
Yes, our water source is a 120 foot underground well. As long as you are thoughtful in your shower usage, you should have more than enough for the duration of your stay.
Is the water drinkable (potable)?
The water supply indoors is drinkable as it has been treated and filtered. If you have any concerns about drinking well-water, we suggest you bring bottled water to satisfy your personal preference. However, the outdoor water faucets supply is for garden use only; it is not potable and should never be drunk.
Is firewood available?
Yes, we have plenty of local firewood available to burn in any of the 5 indoor fireplaces. We provide, without charge, four baskets of local firewood for your enjoyment. Thereafter, simply use what you like, and based on an honor system, bill yourself $4.00 for each additional basket of wood burned. At the end of your stay you can write a check to: The Refuge (Memo: # baskets of wood).
Does The Refuge/The Sentinel allow outside fire-pit use?
Outdoor fire-pit activities are NOT PERMITTED anywhere on the 80 acres of The Refuge property. The typical dry conditions, ongoing drought, and difficult to forecast high winds coming down from the mountainous region surrounding us make open fires a very high risk activity.
What wildlife might be sighted in the area?
It’s important to always keep a safe distance from the animals. Remember never feed, pet, chase or harass the wildlife. You safety is our priority. Depending on the time of the year, common sightings include turkey, gopher, squirrel, mule deer, and elk; occasionally you may see bobcat, bullsnake, rattlesnake and coyote; mountain lion and black bear are in the area but hardly ever viewed.