And not just because you’ll be 6,800 feet above sea level
By Sara Robertson
That little square box in the middle of your U.S. map? That’s the only thing about Colorado that’s simple. When you head there, you’ll find sublime mountainous terrain, wide open plains, bright wildflowers and winding rivers. You’ll also find hip towns, fast-paced cities and spaces where incredible human achievement has and continues to take place. From the Mile High City to the brick-paved pathways of Boulder, to the towering sandstone formations at Colorado Springs Garden of the Gods, your meetings will never look quite the same.
Fun Fact
Colorado is the birthplace of the cheeseburger, as we know and love it today. In 1935, Louis Ballast of Denver coined the term at the Humpty Dumpty Barrel, Colorado’s first drive-in. Look for a stone plaque commemorating this history in downtown Denver.
5 Reasons Meeting Profs Love It
Denver Union Station, a Beaux-Arts 1914 train terminal, is not only a historic landmark—it’s also now a dining, shopping, entertainment and, yes, travel hub, and even a hotel. A dozen restaurants and bars make it a major foodie destination. Local retailers make it the perfect place to pick up souvenirs. Plus, it still functions as a robust ground transportation center, with Amtrak, light rail with direct service to Denver International Airport (DEN) and bus service.
Denver Art Museum houses an impressively wide collection of Asian art, Indigenous arts of North America, Northwest Coast and Alaska Native, European and American Art before 1900, Latin American art, art of the ancient Americas, and Western American art collections, from photography to textiles to fashion. Plus, it has 16 indoor and eight outdoor meeting and event spaces.
Read More: Colorado: Scope and Scale
Pearl Street Mall is a vibrant shopping center in Boulder’s historic downtown, where local retailers and big brands open their doors out to a brick-paved pedestrian walkway. There’s no shortage of dining options, and the fun is endless with only-in-Boulder street performers.
Royal Gorge Route Railroad takes passengers along the narrow granite passages of this spectacular corridor along the Arkansas River. It’s America’s most famous streamliner and is Colorado’s first and only full-service railroad dining experience. The mid-century coach is beautifully restored, complete with a full bar and curated wine list. Tour groups of 20 or more can access special rates.
Cherry Creek Reservoir in Aurora, just outside of Denver, is the perfect place for an adventurous afternoon, whether your group wants to enjoy the scenic trails, stand-up paddleboarding or go horseback riding in the mountains. Considered the gateway to the Rockies, Aurora beckons with the beautiful outdoors Colorado is famous for.
5 Places to Meet and Stay
The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs is the longest-running Forbes Five Star, AAA Five-Diamond Resort. Visitors stay in what feels more like a European castle than a hotel, among picturesque mountains, streams and canyons at the foot of the Rockies.
315,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space; 784 guest rooms.
Garden of the Gods Resort & Club offers a wide array of venues suited for any size or style meeting in a captivating mountain landscape. It’s known for its experiential packages and meeting spaces with a seriously stellar view.
22,000+ sq. ft. of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space; 116 guest rooms and suites.
Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center offers sweeping Rocky Mountain views, plus an expansive water park and a lineup of family-friendly activities and entertainment. The Grand Lodge Lawn is a particularly picturesque outdoor meeting space.
500,000+ sq. ft. of meeting and event space; 1,387 guest rooms; 114 suites.
Embassy Suites by Hilton Boulder is not only home to Boulder’s largest hotel ballroom, but also stands only five minutes from one of the city’s most popular attractions, Pearl Street Mall. Take in mountain views from the rooftop pool.
11,246 sq. ft. of meeting and event space; 204 guest rooms.
The Art Hotel Denver, Curio Collection by Hilton, brings style to life. Not only do visitors meet and stay amid a museum-quality art collection in the hotel, they are also only steps away from Denver Art Museum and Colorado History Center.
5,000 sq. ft. of meeting and event space; 165 guest rooms.
This article appears in the July 2024 issue. You can subscribe to the magazine here.
