{"id":14012,"date":"2026-01-12T19:19:17","date_gmt":"2026-01-13T02:19:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/gable-house-bed-and-breakfast-to-host-immersive-murder-mystery-game-for-third-year\/"},"modified":"2026-03-31T03:42:42","modified_gmt":"2026-03-31T03:42:42","slug":"gable-house-bed-and-breakfast-to-host-immersive-murder-mystery-game-for-third-year","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dh.durangoherald.com\/tj\/gable-house-bed-and-breakfast-to-host-immersive-murder-mystery-game-for-third-year\/","title":{"rendered":"Gable House Bed and Breakfast to host immersive murder mystery game for third year"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\"The
The Gable House a bed-and-breakfast on Tuesday in Durango has recently been sold to Charles Goodman and Tracie Trotter. The building was built in 1892, and in 1942 it was turned into La Plata County\u2019s first public hospital. (Jerry McBride\/Durango Herald)<\/span>Jerry McBride<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>

The Gable House Bed and Breakfast Inn is flirting with the makings of a tradition as it gears up to host its third consecutive immersive murder mystery on inn grounds.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s mystery, called Shadows Over Statehood, will take place Jan. 23 through 25 as a compliment to this year\u2019s Snowdown programming.<\/p>\n

The case\u2019s theme is a nod to the 1876 statehood of Colorado, with a few sinister undertones tossed in. Innkeeper Tracie Trotter intentionally ensured it fell right in line with this year\u2019s Snowdown<\/a> theme, Uniquely Colorado \u2013 Then and Wow!, meant to celebrate Colorado\u2019s 150th birthday and highlight the state\u2019s rich and varied history.<\/p>\n

Participants will be given three days to solve the case as one of more than a dozen characters \u2013 some of whom might just be real historical figures.<\/p>\n

This year\u2019s case can accommodate between 12 and 15 players \u2013 but slots are already filling up fast, according to Trotter. Both inn guests and non-lodging participants can register for the game, but players planning to stay on the premises for the weekend are given registration priority.<\/p>\n

Trotter \u2013 who will take part in the mystery as the narrator \u2013 has been working on the script and story for the mystery since this year\u2019s Snowdown theme was announced<\/a> in February.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy happy place is creating the character names, (adding) some historical characters and then having fun with it, you know?\u201d Trotter said. \u201cIt\u2019s very, very fulfilling for me, and I have a blast doing it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trotter\u2019s partner and Gable House co-owner Charles Goodman will also step into a role in the mystery, she said, and her daughter may also make an in-character appearance.<\/p>\n

Participants will be given a list of characters to choose from once they\u2019ve registered, and getting into character for the weekend \u2013 including through the use of costumes \u2013 is highly encouraged. Anyone can choose any available character, Trotter said \u2013 regardless of whether the gender of the character matches with that of the participant. The most intriguing part? Participants might just choose the culprit as their character and unknowingly spend the weekend solving their own crime.<\/p>\n

Awards will be given out at the conclusion of the game for best costume, best actor, most congenial, and first to guess murder and motive.<\/p>\n

Trotter didn\u2019t consider any other possible themes to align with Snowdown this year, she said; the statehood was an easy choice.<\/p>\n

\u201cCelebrating the statehood is, to me, a natural thing to do,\u201d she said. \u201cAnd it makes for a really fun game.\u201d<\/p>\n

After more than a decade\u2019s worth of attempts, Colorado entered the Union<\/a> as the 38th state Aug. 1, 1876 \u2013 the same year the United States celebrated its centennial. The timing of the milestone garnered Colorado the \u201cCentennial State\u201d title.<\/p>\n

\n

To register<\/h4>\n

VIP Investigator Slots (for lodging participants) go for $250 to $289 per person, depending on room accommodation. A VIP Investigator reservation includes character assignment and participation in the game, lodging for two nights, the opening reception, two breakfasts and a closing celebration. Super Sleuth Detective slots (for non-lodging participants) go for $100 for basic character assignment and participation in the game and $150 for access to the opening reception and breakfast Jan. 24 and Jan. 25. For more information, visit www.durangobedandbreakfast.com\/murder-mystery-event<\/a>To register, call the Gable House Bed and Breakfast Inn at 247-4982.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Trotter is no stranger to instilling real-world history into the inn\u2019s faux murder mystery investigations.<\/p>\n

Last year\u2019s theme<\/a> combined a classic game of Clue with storylines and anecdotes from the 1892 inception of the bed-and-breakfast.<\/p>\n

After being built by mercantiles James and Eliza Schutt in the late 19th century, the Gable House moved between owners several times before finding new life as a hospital in 1913. The property opened its doors as a bed-and-breakfast for the first time in 1970 at the hands of then-owner Heather Bryson.<\/p>\n

According to Trotter, the overwhelmingly positive response to the cases held at the Gable House so far may encourage the inn to add murder mysteries to its regular programming.<\/p>\n

The ability to extend a unique type of hospitality to guests through the game, and the extent to which participants get into character and immerse themselves in the story, are highlights of the event for Trotter.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s so much fun,\u201d she said. \u201cI have a mother and daughter who booked yesterday that are coming together. \u2026 When people come in with that attitude of, \u2018I\u2019m going to have fun, and we\u2019re going to play,\u2019 it\u2019s just a wonderful experience.\u201d<\/p>\n

Trotter\u2019s advice for eager sleuths planning to pull out their magnifying glasses and join the case this month: Always pay close attention \u2013 you never know what clues you might find.<\/p>\n

epond@durangoherald.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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