From Convent to Bed & Breakfast

Originally commissioned in 1957 as a convent to house the nuns of what is now Annunciation Catholic Church, the sisters relocated with many of the parishioners in the mass exodus following the closing of Climax mine in 1987. The convent then changed hands several times in the succeeding decade.

Then, in Summer 2017, Paul and Kathryn Mueller stumbled across the property while visiting family in nearby Buena Vista. They fell in love with the history and unique architecture of the convent, and they restored the property as an inn for fellow travelers. 

Thanks to a lot of TLC and heroic efforts by our first manager and business partner, Bre Siderius, we made significant renovations to incorporate modern conveniences. The Abbey began operating as a Bed & Breakfast in the fall of 2018.

In 2022, the Muellers took up residence at The Abbey and now run it as seasonal inn. The Abbey has a unique blend of home and bed and breakfast. Those who come are our guests with their own space, but they will likely interact with our family too.

Our hope is that The Abbey becomes a welcome place for travelers searching for a comfortable, fun, peaceful inn during their travels.

We look forward to welcoming you!

Meet The Owners

Paul & Kathryn Mueller

Paul & Kathryn met while attending Hillsdale College. They lived in Washington, D. C. and the New York City areas for over a decade. Paul taught economics at The King’s College in Manhattan and currently works as a Senior Research Fellow at the American Institute for Economic Affairs and as a Research Fellow at the Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy.

They live in Leadville full-time and operate The Abbey as a seasonal bed and breakfast from December through early April and from June through September.