The Columbine Pour House in Green Mountain Falls signals a return to the past with a bullseye on the future.  In the historic Columbine Inn, now called Green Mountain Falls Lodge, the pour house is an entrepreneurial adventure for Shannon and Bobby Jackson.

The Jacksons, instructors at Victor Matthews’ Paragon Culinary School and employees at Matthews’ Black Bear Distillery in town, are branching out with the new enterprise.  And, yes, they plan to offer the distillery’s Irish Whiskey.

“Whatever is available there will be here, too,” Bobby said,

The menu will range from charcuterie “small bites” plates to sandwiches and salads, each a work-around to accommodate the lack of full-kitchen facilities.

“In the fall we’ll go more toward soups because we’re in the mountains,” Shannon said, adding that she will make the soups off-site.

For desserts, the Jacksons have arranged to have Thom Seehafer’s Secret Desires provide a charcuterie of sweets, including at times, strawberry shortcake trifle.

However, on her own, Shannon intends to whip up her “famous banana pudding” and carrot cake.

“Carrot cake has that rustic mountain Colorado thing,” she said.

Built around 1911, the building has stone throughout the interior, around the fireplace, the bar and the walls.  The room is spacious and ideal for featuring live music, wine tastings, games by the fireplace, and tables throughout.

“We want this to be a gathering place, with board games and cards,” she said.

In football season, the Jacksons plan to offer specials on food and drink, along with a large television.

The “drink” menu will always include spirit-free offerings such as “Midnight in the Mountains,” an espresso martini, in addition to no-alcohol wine and beer. 

The Columbine Pour House has a kicker, that extra oomph, that adds to the ambience: the patio with a view of the mountain scenery and some of the action on Ute Pass Avenue.

“We have access to four or five grills,” she said.

Bobby Jackson is a Ute Pass native.

“I grew up riding my bike from Chipita Park Road all the way through town every day,” he said. “I went to Ute Pass Elementary School.”

The Columbine Pour House will feature Jackson family photos.

“We want our own place, and this could not be any more perfect,” she said.

The Jacksons have a goal of opening the pour house by March 20.  The Columbine Pour House is at 10755 Ute Pass Avenue inside the Green Mountain Falls Lodge. For information, call (719) 210-8463.