Colorado Hot Spring Once Used to Treat Depression + Gout

Colorado is home to countless hot springs, including the largest hot springs pool in existence, riverside hot springs known as "hippie dips," and even some secret hot springs.

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However, one of the state's hot springs stands apart because of what it contains and its history of being used to attempt to combat various illnesses.

Where is Colorado's Lithia Hot Spring?

This hot spring is known as the Lithia Spring and can be found at 700 Lithia Springs Road in Steamboat Springs.

While today, the Lithia Spring serves as little more than a cool place to check out while in Steamboat Springs, this was not always the case.

Colorado's Lithia Spring Was Used to Treat Illnesses

In 1867, the British Pharmacopeoeia contained accounts of the Lithia Spring being used to treat manic-depressive disorder and other illnesses such as "gout, rheumatism, arthritis, liver disorders, kidney disorders, inflammation of the bones and joints and blood disorders."

Later, in the 1930s, a businessman leased the property with plans to take water from the Lithia Spring, which has a high concentration of the element lithium, bottle it, and sell it.

Why is Colorado's Lithia Spring Special?

As mentioned above, the Lithia Spring has a high concentration of lithium, an element that has been used to treat mental illnesses such as bipolar disorder in years past.

Read More: Only Locals Know About this Secret Colorado Hot Spring

The Lithia Spring is also known as "Milk Spring" for its appearance and is a popular place to visit to this day, although soaking in it is highly discouraged.