Windows of Wonder: Angela Drake’s 34 Years of Holiday Artistry at Hotel Colorado
Every December, the Hotel Colorado in Glenwood Springs becomes more than a historic landmark. It transforms into a living canvas, thanks to the artistry of Angela Drake. Known affectionately as “Angie the Artist,” she has been painting the hotel’s holiday windows since 1991. Now in her 80’s, Angela continues to bring her joyful brushstrokes to the property, marking 34 years of tradition that has become as iconic as the thousands of lights illuminating the courtyard.
Angela’s journey to Glenwood Springs began with a vacation. Originally from Baltimore, she studied art in college before residing in Southern California, where she became a sought-after window painter. Eventually, she and her husband settled in Grand Junction, drawn by the allure of the mountains. During that fortunate trip to Glenwood Springs, Angela shared photos of her work with the hotel’s manager, who immediately recognized her talent and invited her to paint. That invitation launched a tradition that has endured for more than three decades.
Her medium of choice—glass—offers a unique challenge and reward. Transparent yet receptive, it allows Angela to layer imagination over reality. Each December, she arrives with her cart of paints and brushes, ready to transform ordinary panes into scenes of nostalgia and wonder. Guests and locals alike pause to watch her work unfold in real time. Children point excitedly, adults smile knowingly, and Angela delights in listening to their reactions. For her, the joy lies not only in the painting but in the shared experience of discovery.
Her subjects are timeless. Sleighs pulled across snowy fields, cabins nestled among tall pines, couples skating on frozen lakes, and cardinals perched on winter branches all find their place on the hotel’s windows. Perhaps most beloved are the tall angels that greet visitors at the east and west entrances. These figures, requested year after year, embody the spirit of the season and have become a hallmark of Angela’s work. She paints them with reverence, believing they capture the essence of Christmas.
Angela’s artistry is not confined to the finished product. The act of painting itself becomes part of the holiday celebration. Dressed in work clothes flecked with pigment, her hair neatly styled, and her eyes shining behind large glasses, she is both performer and creator. Guests often stop to chat, sometimes inviting her to dinner or drinks, while children marvel at the transformation of plain glass into magical scenes. Angela treasures these moments, knowing her work brings joy to others.
The physical demands of her craft have changed over time. Once comfortable on ladders and scaffolding, she now relies on a sturdy stepstool, adjusting her designs to what she can safely reach. Rheumatoid arthritis has slowed her pace, but not her determination. She still completes dozens of windows in about a week, her speed and precision honed by years of practice. December remains her busiest month, filled with commissions beyond the hotel, yet she always makes time for the tradition that has defined her career.
Angela’s connection to the Hotel Colorado is deeply personal. The staff and community have embraced her as part of the holiday fabric, and she, in turn, has given them a gift that endures year after year. Her windows are not simply decorations; they are stories told in paint, reminders of simpler times, and invitations to pause and savor the season.
As the hotel celebrates another holiday season, Angela’s brushes have once again traced the outlines of angels, sleighs, and snowmen. Her legacy, built one pane at a time, continues to shine brightly, offering a handcrafted counterpoint to the electric glow outside. She has given Glenwood Springs a tradition rooted in artistry, community, and love of the season.
This December, visitors to the Hotel Colorado will find more than festive lights and historic charm. They will find Angela Drake’s windows, glowing with color and spirit, a reminder that true holiday magic often begins with a single brushstroke.