The Man

The hotel was named after Henry Moore Teller (1830-1914). Henry Teller was a lawyer, businessman, and politician from Colorado. He influenced much of the state’s early economic growth through his mining legal work and investment projects,  such as the development of the Colorado Central Railroad. Teller was a Major General in the Colorado Militia, a US Senator, and the Secretary of the Interior (1882-1885).

Mr. Teller made a name for himself as a politician by having unconventional and outspoken views. He opposed the allotment of Native American lands. He believed the bill was short-sighted and that the policy of the Dawes Act would harm Native American welfare. He worried that Native Americans would ultimately be left displaced.  “If this were done in the name of greed, it would be bad enough; but to do it in the name of humanity … is infinitely worse.” – Henry Teller 

Continuing along a similar sentiment, Henry Teller was cautious about US involvement in the Spanish-American War. He supported US participation but worried greed would get the best of man. To prevent the US from overreaching, the Teller Amendment was created. The amendment provided a condition that the US would aid Cuba in its war for independence, but could not annex the island.