Bibliophiles’ Refuge

The Bibliophiles’ Refuge is a comfortable, rustic cabin built in 1929 and owned and managed by Blue Ear Books, off the beaten track in the beautiful Cuchara Valley in southern Colorado’s Sange de Cristo mountains. Nearby are mountain lakes, breathtaking views including of the landmark Spanish Peaks, hiking, skiing, and other outdoor activities – perfect for an active family, a quiet getaway for a couple, or an author or artist seeking solitude. Full kitchen, living room with fireplace, two queen beds plus two sleepers, sleeps up to five comfortably. Enjoy restaurants and shops in the artsy nearby town of La Veta.

The cabin is available to rent year-round, with preference given to authors and others working on creative projects. Rental proceeds help support publication for Blue Ear Books authors in need of material and practical support, and a portion of revenue is also donated to Locally Haiti, a Denver-based 501(c)3 nonprofit cofounded in 1989 (as the Colorado Haiti Project) by the father of Blue Ear Books publisher Ethan Casey.

Blue Ear Books staff host invitational working retreats with authors and editors at the cabin. Currently these are planned for twice annually, in spring and in October, but we aspire to hold them more frequently and in various formats. If you would like us to consider including you in one of our retreats, get in touch.

The Bibliophiles’ Refuge is amply stocked with an eclectic selection of books. Most of these are free for the taking: Help yourself, enjoy, take a book with you when you leave with our compliments. Think of most of the cabin’s shelves as like a giant Little Free Library: take a book, leave a book. And please bring books with you when you visit, to leave for others to enjoy.

Blue Ear Books authors are encouraged to contribute Substack pieces recommending books of particular interest to them, or that have influenced them. See published examples by Patrick Rutikanga, Josh Cannon, and Cody LeRoy Wilson. Blue Ear Books purchases copies of books recommended by our authors and adds them to the library at the Bibliophiles’ Refuge. (Authors are also encouraged to donate books.)

The bookcases on the south wall of the living room are dedicated to these books recommended by Blue Ear Books authors, as well as books and other materials published by Blue Ear Books. Shelves on these bookcases are labeled by category. Blue Ear Books books are available for purchase via QR code, online payment, or check. Prices are as shown on the Blue Ear Books website.

We proudly promote the world-class batik art of Beth and Jonathan Evans, proprietors of Shalawalla Gallery in nearby La Veta and authors of A Book of Batik (Blue Ear Books, 2024). The 40” x 30” wall hanging above the fireplace, by Jonathan Evans, is available for purchase. Other batik art by Beth and Jonathan Evans is displayed elsewhere in the cabin. (Read Beth’s piece “Going Dotty,” about pointillist batik.)

The Bibliophiles’ Refuge is available for booking year-round – for a few days, a week, or longer, for a couple, a family, or a working writer or artist. The standard rate is $225 per night June through September, $195 per night the rest of the year (negotiable for longer stays). When booking, please let us know if you want your rental fee to support Blue Ear Books authors, Locally Haiti, or both. To book, email refuge@blueearbooks.com.