FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
House Rules
Navigating life at The Refuge/The Sentinel
FAQ
Answers to common questions.
Register as a Guest and make a reservation:
HOUSE RULES
Watch the sunrise Relax, unwind and enjoy Take a nap Go for a stroll Daydream Feel the breeze Go to bed early Journal Put your feet up Reminisce Make a milshake Enjoy a book Listen to the birds Sit by the fire Meditate on God’s word Make memories Sleep in late Fast or Feast Savor the view Visit with friends Kick back with a glass of wine And have fun!
ANSWERS TO COMMON QUESTIONS
About our Ministries: The Refuge, The Sentinel Cabin & Mission Lyfe
Christ In The Canyons Ministries is a Christ-centered faith-based Christian ministry that has two focuses. The first is a hospitality focus that primarily serves God’s weary kingdom workers who are in need of doing what Jesus commands in Mark 6:31 “Come away with Me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest”. The Refuge and The Sentinel offer such a “retreat getaway” to those needing to be refreshed and replenished before reengaging in their personal and vocational journey. The second focus of CITCM is Mission Lyfe which offers missionaries, pastors and Christian leaders help to effectively navigate life’s challenging twists and turns. This may be accomplished by way of several offerings including: debriefing, spiritual direction, next-steps life planning and prefield cross-cultural training.
Who is welcomed to The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin?
We are called to serve guests who are Bible believing and practicing disciples of Jesus Christ in need of rest, replenishment, renewal, and a place for fellowship with like-minded folk. All of our guests must agree with and abide by our Statement of Faith (see the quick link on the page footer).
Who are the most frequent guests?
Local church groups, mission organizations and Christian non-profits. This includes: missionaries, pastors, clergy, chaplains, ministry directors, seminary students, women’s/men’s retreats, cross-cultural relief and development workers.
Do others share The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin with us?
We never schedule another party at your venue during your stay. This means the entire space is set apart to be solely yours for the duration of your booking. Besides the managers who live in their own home on the property, there may be additional registered guests staying at the other retreat venue. Your paths may cross while hiking the trails.
How do I register as a guest and make a reservation?
If the purpose and setting of our amenities resonates with you, we look forward to hearing from you. We require a 3 step process in order to secure & confirm a reservation, which may take up to 7 business days. See the Contact Us tab for more details.
Are visitors allowed to visit me or members of my group?
At the time you are registering as a guest / confirming your reservation and you know that you intend to invite visitors during your stay, you need to notify us of their names so that they can be authorized as visitors on the property. Under no circumstances are you permitted to invite strangers onto the premises.
Are pets allowed?
We do not allow fury friends, indoors, outdoors or anywhere on the premises. Regrettably, this includes all service or emotional support animals. It is for the enjoyment of all our guests that we operate this strict no-animals policy. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
What is the weather like?
Our elevation is 7,200 ft and the weather is typical Colorado weather – three seasons in one day. It can change rapidly from sunshine to storms. Summers consist of hot sunshine and rain. Winter storms can turn to blizzards. Come prepared for all possibilities.
How should we dress?
Bring layers! Depending on the season, you will want to dress for warm and cold scenarios. In summer, the sun can be very hot during the day and evenings typically cool off dramatically. Bring sunscreen and warm clothing. It’s advisable to wear closed-toe shoes while hiking on the property’s trails or in the region due to ungroomed paths, prevalence of rocks, cacti and possibly even snakes.
What else should I pack?
Because of the dirt roads, dusty trails and sometimes muddy/snowy conditions, we ask all guests to remove their shoes at the front door. With that in mind, you are encouraged to pack indoor/house shoes, like slippers for your comfort. Also, we suggest you bring overnight essentials (toothbrush, toothpaste, toiletries) and anything you can’t live without. Playing cards, puzzles and an assortment of board games are available for your enjoyment.
Can we bring children?
The Refuge was designed and furnished with adults-only in mind and is regrettably not a child friendly environment. We do however offer alternative lodging for families: The Sentinel Cabin (See below)
The Sentinel Cabin: lodging for everyone including families
Located on the south end of the property is The Sentinel Cabin. It can accommodate a family of five. The Sentinel Cabin provides guests with comfort and privacy. When larger groups need additional beds than are available at The Refuge, they can add The Sentinel to their booking.
Is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin accessible to people with mobility disabilities?
Getting around in the physical world is something many of us may take for granted. Regrettably, our amenities are not accessible if you have a functional limitation that interferes with your mobility.
When is The Refuge available?
The Refuge is open year round with the exception of the listed block out dates. Between November and April the Refuge is only available at a fixed rate and a minimum stay of 3 nights.
When is the Sentinel Cabin available?
The Sentinel is open year round with the exception of the listed block out dates.
Are there block out dates?
Yes. Easter Week, Thanksgiving Week and Christmas (Dec 20-Jan 2).
Is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin available for day use?
No, neither The Refuge nor The Refuge are available for day use.
Is there a minimum number of nights stay?
Yes. To increase the benefits of disconnecting from your busy world and finding space and time to rest, guests stay for a minimum of two (2) nights; we recommend more. Note: During Nov-Apr there is a minimum 3 night stay at The Refuge.
What is the cost per night at The Refuge/The Sentinel Cabin?
See the “Cost” tab for more specific details. Your contribution together with donations from, friends, and churches, help us sustain, maintain and improve The Refuge & The Sentinel.
What about Groups?
The Refuge has five bedrooms; there are 8 beds that sleeps 9 people. For larger groups, you may BYO blowup beds. If additional beds are needed, you can add The Sentinel to your booking. The Sentinel sleeps 4 comfortably. A fifth person can be accommodated in the family/TV room on a pull-out bed.
Is there a cleaning fee for The Refuge/The Sentinel Cabin?
A clean and inviting accommodation is one of the basic amenities that you as a guest would expect when you overnight at The Refuge/ Sentinel Cabin. When we have 1-4 guests for a couple of nights we are more than capable of sprucing up your accommodations without a cleaning fee expense. We do, however, hire a professional cleaning team when have groups of 4 or more who stay for 3+ nights. The cleaners time and effort is well spent preparing the amenities for future guest’s arrival. These costs are added to your nightly contributions.
How & when do we pay for our reservation?
Your payment method will be either by check or cash.
No matter how far in advance you book, we do not receive payment until your scheduled check-in. The only exception is if you have been required to pay a non-refundable deposit ahead of time.
How does check-in and check-out work?
You can check-in at any time after 12 noon. Check out is at 4 PM. Once your booking is confirmed, you’ll receive an email with your personalized front door entry code/ details about you door key. When you reach The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin, if we’re not present to welcome you, simply enter the code on the door or retrieve your key and begin to unwind and find rest. A Welcome Book will serve as any easy step-by-step guide to orient you to the amenities. When it comes time to head back to the daily grind, be sure to follow all the departure instructions, including locking all the doors and windows before you leave.
Do we cook our own food?
The Refuge / Sentinel Cabin is self-catering. The spacious, well-furnished kitchen allows you to prepare meals for yourself. We provide essentials like oil, salt and pepper and an assortment of spices and condiments. You can get creative by bringing your own must-have ingredients and provisions. For coffee lovers, there is a regular coffee maker as well as a Keurig Coffee Maker, so do not forget to bring your favorite ground coffee or K-Cup Pods. There is no need for you to pack paper towels and dish soap as we also provide these. An outdoor gas grill is also available for your use.
Are we permitted to use a charcoal barbecue?
No, please do not use a charcoal grill for outdoor barbecuing. We have a propane grill that you are more than welcome to use.
Is the water drinkable (potable)?
The water supply indoors is drinkable as it has been treated and filtered. If you have any concerns about drinking well-water, we suggest you bring bottled water to satisfy your personal preference. However, the outdoor water faucet supply is for garden use only; it is not potable. Never drink from the outdoor faucets or hoses.
Should I be mindful about the water supply?
Yes. Our water source is from a 120 foot underground well. As long as you are thoughtful in your shower usage, you should have more than enough for the duration of your stay.
Do we bring our own bedding?
We provide linens and towels for up to 9 guests at The Refuge & 5 guests at The Sentinel. We do ask that you remove all sheets and towels and put them in the laundry room before you leave.
Is there WiFi and cable television access?
We have intentionally avoided live television and internet/WiFi in order to encourage you to disengage from technology and engage your interior life. A large screen television is available for DVD and video use only. Please bring your own movies as our selection is very limited.
Is there cell phone reception?
Because of the secluded nature of our location, cell phone service is a little spotty. Depending on your service provider, you may not get any reception at all. If this is the case, embrace the rare opportunity to unplug and relax. If you need to keep in touch with family back home or make an emergency call, there is a phone line available for your convenience.
How is The Refuge/Sentinel Cabin secured?
The Refuge’s front entrance is secured with a digital door lock. The Sentinel Cabin has a regular key entry. A phone is available for local and long distance calling. We are situated where wildlife and insects may be present, so bear in mind that you are responsible for taking appropriate safety measures. This means putting food away, keeping the outdoor courtyards clean and all doors closed and locked, securing personal items, and bringing your bug spray.
Is firewood available?
The indoor fire place is off-limits at The Sentinel and therefore no firewood is available nor can it be gathered on the property. Things are different at The Refuge where we have firewood available to burn in any of the five indoor fireplaces. We provide, without charge, four baskets of firewood for your enjoyment. Thereafter, simply use what you like, and based on an honor system, bill yourself $8.00 for each additional basket of wood burned. At the end of your stay you can write a check to: The Refuge (Memo: # baskets of wood).
Does The Refuge/The Sentinel allow outside fire-pit use?
Outdoor fire-pit activities are NOT PERMITTED anywhere on the 80 acres of The Refuge property. The typical dry conditions, ongoing drought, and difficult to forecast high winds make open fires a very high risk activity.
What about tobacco, vaping, marijuana and drugs, are they allowed?
The Refuge & Sentinel Cabin are strictly drug free zones. In addition, tobacco use, vaping, marijuana use and/or consumption are prohibited anywhere on our property, in our facilities, or during participation in our programming.
Are there any additional rules that I need to know about?
Safety, comfort and ensuring a good experience for all our guests is important to us. We ask that guests * never leave food and/or trash outside that may attract wildlife * do not shoot, hunt or trap at any time on the premises * do not host parties or events to which unregistered guests are invited. Most importantly, we ask that guests at The Refuge never leave an indoor fireplace unattended. And, guests at The Sentinel do not use the indoor fireplace which is designated as being off-limits at all times.
What programs are available?
Most guests of the Refuge/ Sentinel Cabin engage in self-directing retreats, however others desire our intensive input with respect to navigating life’s challenging transitions. We offer high quality debriefing, prefield missionary training, next-steps life planning, spiritual direction and facilitated workshops. These programs have their own price structure, both for accommodation and program fees. See the “Resources” tab for more specific details before contacting us about your specific area of interest.
What kind of outdoor activities are there?
More than 2.5 miles of trails for hiking sprawl out in all directions on the 80 acre property. With a Colorado fishing license in hand, lakes and streams are 30 min. to 1 hour away. Skiing is 2+ hours away.
What wildlife might be sighted in the area?
It’s important to always keep a safe distance from the animals. Remember never feed, pet, chase or harass the wildlife. You safety is our priority. Depending on the time of the year, common sightings include turkey, gopher, squirrel, mule deer, and elk; occasionally you may see bobcat, bullsnake, rattlesnake and coyote; mountain lion and black bear are in the area but hardly ever viewed.