The Tabagueche Indians, led by Chief Ouray, soaked in the hot springs of the Uncompaghre river valley for its calming affects as well as medical healing for such ailments as rheumatoid arthritis. Today the soothing waters of Orvis Hot Springs are still sacred to our guests.

From the latin word for lime, "calz". Calcium is needed for bones, cartilage and nerve and muscle functioning. Calcium is the fifth most abundant element in the earth's crust. It is never found free in nature since it forms compounds by reacting with water and oxygen. Calcium is also used to make toothpaste and stomach antacids. 280 - 305 mg/l (milligrams per liter)

From the Latin and French words for flow, fluere. Fluorine is added to many municipal water sources to help prevent tooth decay, but is naturally occurring in the hot springs water at Orvis. 4.20 to 4.44 mg/l

From the Greek word for Stone, lithos. Lithium is probably the most famous element in Orvis's water. Many of Orvis's guests, both past and present believe the small quantities of lithium in the water enhance a mood of tranquility. Lithium carbonate is used as a drug to treat manic depression. Lithium was also used to make the glass for the Mt. Palomar's 200 inch telescope mirror. 1.67 - 1.71 mg/l

For Magnesia a district in the region of Thessaly, Greece. Magnesium is the eighth most abundant element in the universe. Mostly found in sea water (12 billion pounds per cubic mile), it is never found free in nature. Magnesium is needed to utilize carbohydrates properly, to make our own protein from amino acids and to maintain muscles and hormones. It also produces Epson salt and Milk of Magnesia. When bonded with aluminum, it can be used to make airplanes, cameras, horseshoes and snowshoes. 19.4 - 21mg/l

From the Latin word for magnet, magnes. Most important for females during their reproductive years, at which times manganese can be depleted. This element is most often used to increase the strength in steel. It is also responsible for the color of amethyst gemstones. .010 - .147 mg/l

From the English word potash. Potassium can be found in minerals most often associated with ancient lakes and sea beds. Potassium aids with hydration and nerve and internal organ functions. Various forms of the element are used for soaps, salt substitutes and matches. 34.1- 36.3 mg/l

From the Sanskrit word sulvere and the Latin word sulphurium. Sulfur is the 10th most abundant element in the Universe. However, as your nose will tell you, the water at Orvis has a very low sulfur content. Various forms of Sulfur are used mainly in fertilizers and insecticides. Sulfur is essential in ridding poisons from the body, and is important in the health of the fluids in joints and vertebra discs. Even the Greek poet Homer mentioned the "pest averting sulphur" nearly 2800 years ago. 1130 - 1200 mg/l