Parker-based Xanterra Parks & Resorts found itself on the hot seat this week when a media report blasted the use of ordinary tap water in the famed mineral baths the company operates in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.

Xanterra refuted a New York Post story that allegedly uncovered "deception" at the state-owned bathhouses managed under a soon-to-expire contract. But the practice of having patrons control bath temperatures with hot tap water is no secret and has been in place for two decades, the company said.

"It's common knowledge," said Hans Desai, vice president of the state parks and resorts unit at Xanterra, which took over the Saratoga contract after the practice began. "There's been no deception on our part or the state's part."

The Parker company is the nation's largest operator of lodges, restaurants and concessions at both national and state parks. Some of its locations include Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, Zion, Rocky Mountain National Park and Mount Rushmore.

Unlike the thermal springs scattered throughout Colorado, Saratoga's mineral water emerges from the ground at far lower temperatures of around 50 degrees.

In earlier days, the spas heated the natural mineral water with heaters to bring it up to body temperature. The Post story said that practice changed after the state declined to repair expensive, worn-out heaters that had been in use since the park opened in the 1930s.

The Saratoga Spa State Park Web site explains the prevailing process this way: "At the bathhouses, the mineral water is combined with hot tap water to bring the water temperature to 97 degrees."

Bathhouse attendants also explain to patrons how the two bath taps on each private tub work, Xanterra said.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.