On June 30, 1900, a dispensation was granted by the Grand Lodge of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks to organize an Elks Lodge in Idaho Springs, Colorado. On July 7, 1900, officers of Denver Lodge 17, assisted by officers from Central City Lodge 557 and Boulder Lodge No. 556, instituted Idaho Springs Elks Lodge No. 607.  Following the institution of the Lodge, the charter members of Lodge 607 were initiated into the mysteries of Elkdom. They represented a cross section of the citizens of Idaho Springs and came from various walks of life: miner, business man, banker, doctor, druggist and lawyer.

Membership increased rapidly and in early 1902 the possibilities of establishing a club in connection with the Lodge was suggested. Finally, in 1907, the lodge purchased property on the northeast corner of Colorado St. and 16th Avenue.  George Keys of Idaho Springs was awarded a contract to construct the club house for the sum of $17,650. At 11:00 p.m. on October 8, 1907, a ceremony was held and the cornerstone of Lodge No. 607 was placed in position.  The building was completed and became the home of Idaho Springs Lodge No. 607 on March 3, 1908. Formal dedication services were held on March 24, 1908.

After the building and furnishing of the lodge, there were some lean years and funds were short. The years from 1918, the close of World War I, to 1925, were perhaps the darkest days of the lodge. By 1925, the membership declined, and the lodge was badly in debt. In order to gain new members and bolster finances, an all-out effort resulted in the recruitment of 100 men from Grand County, which was some distance away from the Idaho Springs lodge, via Berthoud Pass. These candidates worked on the Moffat Tunnel project and plans were made to initiate them at the West Portal, which is near the Winter Park ski area. This proved to be the largest class ever initiated. On February 11, 1926, the officers of the lodge and a group of members started for the West Portal over Berthoud Pass, which at that time was not a highway as it is now.  They encountered heavy snow which continued to pile up until the road became impassable. A rescue crew was sent out from the West Portal with heavy equipment, horses and shovelers to clear the way. The initiation proceeded, followed by all night entertainment. Berthoud Pass was now snowed in for the winter, and it was necessary for everyone to return to Idaho Springs through the Moffat tunnel.

The rejuvenation and increase in membership enabled the lodge to retire bonds and to pay off the entire debt.  A grand bond burning celebration with dinner and dance was held October 26, 1926. The attendance was so great that it required the dining rooms of three hotels to host all of the Elks and ladies.

During the dark days of the depression in the 1930’s, the lodge had its problems, but the courage of the brothers who carried the lodge through troubled times inspired new groups of members to carry on.

In November, 1949 a fire in the lodge caused some damage requiring extensive repair and remodeling.

In 1950, the Colorado Elks Association voted to adopt Laradon Hall as its State Major Project. Laradon Hall was the first private, non-profit organization in the Rocky Mountain Region to provide intellectually and developmentally disabled children individualized services and programming.  The story began in 1948, when Denver postman Joseph V. Calabrese could not find a school that would teach his developmentally disabled children. Joe exclaimed, “By golly, if there’s no place for my kids, I’ll start a school of my own for them and other youngsters like them.” For two years, Mr. and Mrs. Calabrese carried most of the financial load, using their $10,000 life savings to convert a house into Colorado’s only school for developmentally disabled children.  The Elks’ generosity turned the Calabreses’ dream into a reality.

The Elks 607 Golden Anniversary was in 1950 and the Colorado State Convention was held at Idaho Springs.

Laradon Hall continued to grow and gain the support of the Colorado Elks. Brother Paul Dearmin brought up the matter of raising and selling a calf to be the lodge’s investment in this cause. In October 1956, a calf named BEPO was donated as a gift to the lodge by Mrs. Margaret Smith. BEPO moved frequently from lodge to lodge including Boulder, Greeley and Fort Collins, amid reports that he was well and putting on weight. Salida Lodge showed their support by circulating a couple of rabbits for Laradon Hall. In keeping with the spirit of the occasion, Lakewood Lodge brought Hammus Alabamus to the lodge. Hammus was a beautiful red pig. 

As a well established organization now supporting the community, Exalted Ruler H. H. “Peg” Albers was asked to represent Lodge No. 607 at the dedication ceremony of the opening of I-70 by Mayor Martin Krueger. This was significant for the city and lodge because it redirected east and westbound traffic out of the downtown corridor and away from the lodge’s front door.

The school year 1963-64 marked the birth of the youth activities committee as Exalted Ruler, Paul Bronson appointed R. R. “Butch” Mappin the first chairman.  The Youth Activities that the Lodge supports were Little League, Boy Scouts, Hoop Shoot, Boxing and Cub Scouts. Lodge 607’s major project in September, 1964, was the creation of a scholarship program. Miss Cherie Shatto was the first recipient of a lodge scholarship.

The Exalted Ruler and Brothers of Fort Morgan Lodge presented a goat to Lodge 607 on September 26, 1967.  The goal was to raise money with “Billy”.  On November 14, 1967 Lodge 607 received a letter from John Haynes, Chairman of the Advisory Committee of Laradon Hall, thanking the Lodge for a donation of $135.65 given in the name of “Billy” the Goat project.

The year 1970 saw the Lodge granting the Idaho Springs Elks Club Association a $15,000 loan to remodel the building. The bar and food facilities were modernized, while the lodge room was kept intact with the décor of the original lodge.  During 1974-75 the men’s restroom and secretary’s office were remodeled, and a new service bar was constructed on the second floor.

The lodge currently supports many local organizations through the use of facilities, money or equipment.