Sitting in the center of one of the most attractive states in the country are three stand-alone destinations that top the lists of not only meeting planners but leisure travelers as well. Surrounded by the towering Rocky Mountains, Colorado hot spots Denver, Boulder and Colorado Springs form a trio of intriguing destinations offering easy access to outdoor diversions and plenty of top-notch city amenities to boot.
Of the three, Denver wins the award for biggest venues, be it for sporting events or meetings. Invesco Field at Mile-High, located on the southwest side of the city, is sizable enough to fit the Denver Broncos football team and its loyal fans, but last summer fans of a different sort flooded the stadium. In late August, Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and legions of supporters squeezed into the stadium for the Democratic National Convention. It was a hit and showed that world that Denver knows how to handle a crowd.
The Colorado Convention Center is a large-size meetings favorite in Denver with a wide array of exhibition and meeting spaces. The green-focused facility also makes small groups feel right at home with personal attention and comfortable meeting rooms.
Speaking of green, Boulder prides itself on being a pioneer in the green movement, with its concern for the environment dating back more than 30 years. Today, in addition to an array of well-appointed meetings hotels (some at or aiming for zero-waste status), groups can also enjoy food fresh from local farms at many of its restaurants.
Possibly the most picturesque of the three locations is Colorado Springs. Here, delegates have the pleasure of waking up to the view of Pikes Peak or venturing out to visit Garden of the Gods—both topping every Colorado visitor’s must-see list.
Denver
Back in the mid-19th century, settlers traveled to what is now Denver in search of gold. The area was a boomtown, and word of its Wild West reputation spread like fire.
What a difference a century-and-a-half makes. November marks Denver’s 150th anniversary and a quick walk down the city’s popular 16th Street Mall reveals anything but Wild West debauchery. Instead of gun-toting outlaws, high-end boutiques and inviting eateries fill each corner. Right down the street is the refurbished warehouse district of LoDo (Lower Downtown), home to a variety of trendy nightlife options ranging from dance clubs to brew pubs. Also in LoDo is Coors Field, home to the Colorado Rockies baseball team.
Just about six minutes away sits the Colorado Convention Center, boasting 584,000 square feet of exhibit space, and the 1,100-room Hyatt Regency Denver, sporting 60,600 square feet of group gathering space.
"One of the biggest things that differentiates Denver is the walkability and the compact package we offer convention groups," says Rachel Benedick, vice president, sales and services for the Denver Metro CVB.
Another thing that sets the city apart is its ability to work together, Benedick says.
"We have a really cohesive hospitality community," she says.
The tight-knit group is a bonus for meeting planners now more than ever. In January, the Denver Metro CVB, Denver’s Division of Theaters and Arenas, Centerplate Catering, Hyatt Regency Denver and SMG (manager of the convention center) formed the Denver Alliance to help streamline the booking process for groups coming to the Colorado Convention Center. The cooperation of five entities functions as one with the CVB acting as a single point of contact for planners.
"There used to be multiple points of contact at each entity; different sales people planners would have to get in touch with for their meetings," Benedick says, adding that the CVB handles groups that need both the convention center and hotels, while the convention center handles in-house groups and meetings with less than an 18-month lead time. "Now, for groups wanting to use the convention center, the CVB is the broker and represents all involved parties. It has streamlined everything."
In addition to its new alliance, Denver is also welcoming a healthy dose of new hotels and renovations of existing properties. The Four Seasons Hotel Denver is slated to open next spring with 16,000 square feet of meeting space, and construction is under way on the new Embassy Suites located across the street from the Colorado Convention Center. An opening date has not been set.
As for property updates, a $70 million renovation of the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel is scheduled for completion in January, and the Denver Marriott City Center, Magnolia Hotel Denver and JW Marriott at Cherry Creek all completed upgrades earlier this year.
Additional meetings hotels include the Westin Tabor Center; Grand Hyatt Denver; Hotel Monaco; The Ritz Carlton, Denver; and The Curtis.
Boulder
Imagine waking up to a view of the Flatirons and taking in an early morning yoga class before your meeting. Or instead of yoga, tying your shoes and heading out to Boulder Creek Path for a scenic jog. These are everyday Boulder opportunities that delegates can enjoy when visiting the city, a 45-minute drive from Denver International Airport.
Boulder has a reputation for everything outdoors, from hiking and biking to white-water rafting and just sitting on a park bench and enjoying the fresh mountain air. But even if attendees aren’t active types, the city still has plenty to offer.
For starters, its culinary scene has exploded in recent years.
"You are going to eat great, healthy food here. That, and the option to do outdoor activities in conjunction with your meetings, helps to make meetings more productive," says Mary Ann Mahoney, executive director of the Boulder CVB, adding that the city welcomes an equal amount of corporate, association and government groups averaging around 125-150 delegates.
A few group-friendly restaurants include steak-famous Boulder Cork; Flagstaff House Restaurant, located just outside downtown with stunning views of the city and an extensive wine selection; and two Italian favorites: Carelli’s of Boulder and Laudisio.
Before or after dinner visitors can take a leisurely stroll down the leafy Pearl Street Mall, a pedestrian strip filled with boutique shops, restaurants and benches where you can sit with your laptop and pick up free (solar) Wi-Fi. For even more shopping, drive about five minutes down the road to 29th Street Mall. The sparkling new development features shopping, dining and entertainment options.
Meetings hotels include the zero-waste Boulder Outlook Hotel & Suites; the recently-refurbished St. Julien Hotel & Spa (aiming for zero-waste status by the end of the year); the newly renovated, 269-room Millennium Harvest House; Hotel Boulderado, a historic property with 10,000 square feet of meeting space; the 157-room Boulder Marriott; and the nearby Westin Westminster, the recipient of a fresh $9 million upgrade.
Colorado Springs
Colorado Springs is about as inviting a destination as you can get. Sporting more than 300 days of sunshine per year, access to and views of Pikes Peak, trails through Garden of the Gods and one-of-a-kind lures such as the U.S. Olympic Training Center and the U.S. Air Force Academy, the city of more than 300,000 residents is a meetings magnet. Even its downtown is alluring.
"Colorado Springs has a four-block vibrant downtown area of shops, restaurants and brew pubs," says Pam Sherfesee, vice president of sales for Experience Colorado Springs CVB, describing Tejon Street. "It is really nice, and a lot of times groups will ask to have a dine-around."
A few popular eateries include Mexican favorite Jose Muldoon’s; MacKenzie’s Chop House, famous for its seafood and martinis; and Sonterra Grill, serving up spicy Southwestern treats.
Meeting planners have several hotels to choose from.
The Broadmoor, the city’s largest hotel, with 185,000 square feet of meeting space, opened The Broadmoor Cottages in May, bringing its inventory up to 744 total guest rooms. Late last year, the Cheyenne Mountain Resort finished a $3.5 million renovation, and just outside Colorado Springs in Manitou Springs, The Cliff House at Pikes Peak plans to begin a major expansion next year.
Excitement is swirling around the opening of the city’s newest hotel, the Renaissance Colorado Springs, slated to open next spring with 300 guest rooms and 50,000 square feet of meeting space.
"This is our first major property to be built since the mid-80s," Sherfesee says. "It will be across the interstate from the Air Force Academy. This is really big for us and we are excited."
Additional meetings properties include the Crowne Plaza Colorado Springs, housing 48,000 square feet of meeting space; Antlers Hilton, sporting 27,500 square feet of meeting space; Doubletree Hotel Colorado Springs-World Arena; Colorado Springs Marriott, with 24,000 square feet of meeting space; and Embassy Suites Colorado Springs.
