Destination Guide | Denver and Colorado Springs
DENVER AND COLORADO SPRINGS
By Natelle Fitzgerald
Denver and Colorado Springs add convenience, charm and scenic beauty to your travels
On early U.S. maps, Denver was labeled “the great American desert.” It was a blank spot—an unknown landscape to those journeying west. But with the first discovery of gold at the convergence of Cherry Creek and the South Platte River in the late 1850s, the area soon became a meeting spot for fur traders and Native Americans. By 1890, Denver was the second largest city in the west, after San Francisco. Today—no longer a blank spot on the map—Denver is now well known as the “Mile High City,” due to its 5,280-foot elevation.
With this elevation comes a gorgeous topography that’s unforgettable for visitors. Although the city itself is mostly flat, Denver is surrounded by wilderness and a level landscape to the east, with steep mountain peaks piercing the western skyline. This geography plays a major role in its recreational offerings.
In fact, the mountains hold 22 square miles of parks—part of their major park system, where 850 miles of bike trails weave throughout the metro area. See for yourself; visit the 314-acre City Park, which hosts the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Zoo, the 4th most popular zoo in the country.
Also among the many attractions is the local scene in LoDo, a.k.a. Denver’s happening lower downtown neighborhood, containing Larimer Square, the city’s trendiest spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. And with a handful of universities, eight professional sports teams pulling in the crowds and a growing number of innovative new chefs,there’s always something going on here. “It’s an emerging hip, young city,” says Rich Grant, communications director at the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, a smart first stop for planning your meeting in the area. And, with a 13-percent increase in overnight visitors from 2005 to 2006, the city’s popularity as a destination continues to grow. The fur traders had it right—more than a century later, Denver is still a great meeting spot for business.
MEETING VENUES
The central location of the Colorado Convention Center is just one of the major conveniences the city lends to groups. With 584,000 sq. ft. of space, 63 meeting rooms and a staff that works in conjunction with the Denver Metro CVB, the convention center is a no-brainer for hosting major events. And with the new light rail train station situated in the parking garage below, getting your guests to the meeting is simple.
In fact, much of the transportation in Denver is a walk in the park—literally; plus shuttles run throughout downtown (look for street-corner maps with shuttle routes). And even more, the 16th Street Mall Shuttle is free, so you can easily navigate along the central tree-lined pedestrian walkway.
If your meeting doesn’t take place during Denver’s big annual rodeo in January, you might consider the National Western Complex. Located in Central Denver, it has 600,000 sq. ft. and is available for events during the rest of the year. The creative staff will even round up some fresh ideas if needed—imagine a corporate rodeo theme, a harvest party or spicy carnival nights. Also quite sizable is the Denver Merchandise Mart. With 269,000 sq. ft. of rentable space, your event can take on many forms—meet in the Mart Pavilion or hold a reception in the breezy Terrace Gardens. Plus, there’s in-house catering for up to 4,000.
In the heart of downtown, The Denver Performing Arts Complex houses a handful of different venues, including the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, various theater spaces and the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, which can hold up to 1,000 guests. Lined with fiber-optic lights that glow in waves of changing colors, the ballroom itself is a showstopper. Several nearby hotels work with the Arts Complex to provide packages for groups. “We have relationships with other downtown amenities,” says Suzanne Blandon, associate director of communications for the Denver Performing Arts Center, located inside the complex.
Within walking distance of the complex is the Westin Tabor Center (303-572-9100), with 430 guest rooms. For a smaller meeting, the Westin offers 24,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space—its largest room at 7,503 sq. ft. Walk through the doors of Hotel Teatro, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the past—eye-catching costumes and photos of old theatrical productions hang from the lobby walls. If you prefer a more modern scene, stay at The Curtis hotel, where you’ll be greeted by a house robot and glowing video art. Take a tour at the historical Brown Palace Hotel, host to former presidents and royalty. Other hotel, with significant meeting space include J.W. Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek, Hyatt Regency Denver, and the largest hotel in the state— Adam’s Mark Hotel at the Colorado Convention Center, whose name will soon change under new management.
In a city that is heavily based on its sports scene, you can’t go wrong with an athletic-themed event. Coors Stadium, Invesco Mile High Stadium and the Pepsi Center give groups a glimpse of Denver’s love for sports. Coors Stadium, home to great baseball with the Colorado Rockies, has impressive corporate suites, perfect for pampering executives; Invesco offers a total of 280,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and the Pepsi Center can host up to 5,000 people.
UNIQUE VENUES
If your group prefers playing rather than just watching sports, make golf the incentive after a meeting at the 15,568-square-foot Conference Center at Copper Mountain, less than two hours west of Denver International Airport. The resort has two golf courses surrounded by stunning peaks—a good choice for meetings located off the beaten path. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the only naturally occurring amphitheatre in the world, is among the serene mountain landscape marked by two 300-foot monoliths. You won’t believe the natural acoustics. It offers 30,000 sq. ft. of space in its new Visitors Center, just 15 miles from Denver.
If you’re opting to stay closer to downtown, you might check out Denver’s historical Art Deco-style Paramount Theater, offering an intimate 1,870-seat venue for entertainment or awards ceremonies. After the event, groups can wander through Larimer Square, in the heart of LoDo, for excellent shopping, delectable dining and Denver nightlife.
COLORADO SPRINGS
At an elevation of 6,200 feet, Colorado Springs is a city that feels like it’s got universal air conditioning. Privileged to gorgeous views of Pikes Peak, the city has a number of hotels and meeting spaces that cater to any type of event downtown or in a natural setting—although the local ranches are best at sharing the authentic cowboy lifestyle. Imagine team-building activities like cattle drives and skeet shooting, followed by a real chuckwagon supper. Whatever type of venue you need, be sure to get assistance from the CVB (Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, Convention and Visitors Bureau)—the staff is there to help at no cost.
“We take away a lot of the work. We don’t just send leads out to every hotel; we base it on the meeting. It’s not too good to be true, but it is really, really good,” says Amy Long, director of marketing and membership for Experience Colorado Springs CVB, which has a great new Web site.
MEETING VENUES
Although Colorado Springs doesn’t have a large convention center, there is a wide variety of places to host meetings and events. “We’re excellent with groups of 300 or fewer,” says Long.
Start with The Broadmoor, a luxurious resort on 3,000 acres near gorgeous Cheyenne Lake. It offers the largest and most versatile meeting space in town—with 185,000 sq. ft. of total space, you’re bound to find a suitable backdrop for your function. Its 700 hotel rooms and suites are ready to welcome guests with amenities, golf and a full-service spa.
Additional Rocky Mountain charm can be found at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Let their meeting coordinators help you every step of the way: from transportation to setting up top-of-the-line A/V equipment, they can assist with the details. The 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, within 38 different rooms (and exquisite views of Cheyenne Mountain), offers a variety of settings at this 218-acre resort. Plus, where else can you find a sandy beach in town?
Right in the downtown area, two major venues regularly host sporting, entertainment and community events. Pikes Peak
Center, which opened in 1982, hosts 200 performances each year. Under the same management, and three miles south of downtown, the World Arena has copious space for banquets and trade shows, with 8,000 seats available (you can even rent the parking lot!). Inside the Palmer Center, a major business complex downtown, you’ll find the Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs, equipped with awesome views, 27,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and fresh beer that’s brewed on-site.
For smaller events, try the Phil Long Expo Center, in the north end of Colorado Springs. Natural light pours in through 160 skylights, illuminating the 92,000 sq. ft. of continuous floor space. The Atrium (4,500 sq. ft.), an adjoining space, can handle 300 guests for cocktails or half of that for a seated function. Several nearby hotels offer accommodations.
UNIQUE VENUES
In 1950, Al Hill had a great idea when he decided to build a club resort on top of a mesa, east of Pikes Peak. Garden of the Gods Club not only has grand views of the jagged rock formations that reach toward the sky, but also, it has 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 108 guest rooms with high-speed Internet access. Not affiliated with the club but sharing the same name is the Garden of the Gods, run by the city. Within this stunning park is the privately owned Trading Post, with 2,400 sq. ft. of outdoor patio space among magnificent red rocks—perfect for a sunset reception. “The red rocks just blow your mind, and the light is very warm—it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen on earth, almost alien-like but beautiful,” says CVB’s Long.
Also beautiful, with a tranquil 20-mile hiking trail system, is the Glen Eyrie Castle, with conference space available. The castle is located just north of The Garden of the Gods.
Put a thrill into your event with a stay at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, southwest of Colorado Springs. It offers a Great Room and three smaller breakout spaces. Surrounded by deep canyons and blue sky, the property has plenty of outdoor opportunities for post-meeting adventures—for example, cross the 150-foot-high suspension bridge or zoom through the canyons on the skycoaster.
Closer to Colorado Springs, take your group to The Cliff House at Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs. It’s got a 2,500-square-foot ballroom as well as other meeting rooms. Remember to bring drinking cups—Manitou Springs has delicious natural water sources—visitors can take the walking tour and sample the distinct tastes of seven drinking springs bubbling out of the mountainside. Manitou Springs is known for its healing properties (although other theories exist).
“It’s a good workout to get there, so people feel better,” Long says.
If you really want to show your group a good time, go to the M-Lazy-C Ranch, 35 miles west of Colorado Springs, owned and operated by Brenda and Randy Myers. Experience a full rodeo, barrel races and real bucking bulls. And when the sun dips below the Rockies, their outdoor meeting space (for up to 500) transforms into a starlit backdrop for line-dancing and fireworks. Yee haw!
NEWS
With this elevation comes a gorgeous topography that’s unforgettable for visitors. Although the city itself is mostly flat, Denver is surrounded by wilderness and a level landscape to the east, with steep mountain peaks piercing the western skyline. This geography plays a major role in its recreational offerings.
In fact, the mountains hold 22 square miles of parks—part of their major park system, where 850 miles of bike trails weave throughout the metro area. See for yourself; visit the 314-acre City Park, which hosts the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Denver Zoo, the 4th most popular zoo in the country.
Also among the many attractions is the local scene in LoDo, a.k.a. Denver’s happening lower downtown neighborhood, containing Larimer Square, the city’s trendiest spot for shopping, dining and entertainment. And with a handful of universities, eight professional sports teams pulling in the crowds and a growing number of innovative new chefs,there’s always something going on here. “It’s an emerging hip, young city,” says Rich Grant, communications director at the Denver Metro Convention and Visitors Bureau, a smart first stop for planning your meeting in the area. And, with a 13-percent increase in overnight visitors from 2005 to 2006, the city’s popularity as a destination continues to grow. The fur traders had it right—more than a century later, Denver is still a great meeting spot for business.
MEETING VENUES
The central location of the Colorado Convention Center is just one of the major conveniences the city lends to groups. With 584,000 sq. ft. of space, 63 meeting rooms and a staff that works in conjunction with the Denver Metro CVB, the convention center is a no-brainer for hosting major events. And with the new light rail train station situated in the parking garage below, getting your guests to the meeting is simple.
In fact, much of the transportation in Denver is a walk in the park—literally; plus shuttles run throughout downtown (look for street-corner maps with shuttle routes). And even more, the 16th Street Mall Shuttle is free, so you can easily navigate along the central tree-lined pedestrian walkway.
If your meeting doesn’t take place during Denver’s big annual rodeo in January, you might consider the National Western Complex. Located in Central Denver, it has 600,000 sq. ft. and is available for events during the rest of the year. The creative staff will even round up some fresh ideas if needed—imagine a corporate rodeo theme, a harvest party or spicy carnival nights. Also quite sizable is the Denver Merchandise Mart. With 269,000 sq. ft. of rentable space, your event can take on many forms—meet in the Mart Pavilion or hold a reception in the breezy Terrace Gardens. Plus, there’s in-house catering for up to 4,000.
In the heart of downtown, The Denver Performing Arts Complex houses a handful of different venues, including the Ellie Caulkins Opera House, various theater spaces and the Donald R. Seawell Grand Ballroom, which can hold up to 1,000 guests. Lined with fiber-optic lights that glow in waves of changing colors, the ballroom itself is a showstopper. Several nearby hotels work with the Arts Complex to provide packages for groups. “We have relationships with other downtown amenities,” says Suzanne Blandon, associate director of communications for the Denver Performing Arts Center, located inside the complex.
Within walking distance of the complex is the Westin Tabor Center (303-572-9100), with 430 guest rooms. For a smaller meeting, the Westin offers 24,000 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space—its largest room at 7,503 sq. ft. Walk through the doors of Hotel Teatro, and you’ll feel like you’re stepping into the past—eye-catching costumes and photos of old theatrical productions hang from the lobby walls. If you prefer a more modern scene, stay at The Curtis hotel, where you’ll be greeted by a house robot and glowing video art. Take a tour at the historical Brown Palace Hotel, host to former presidents and royalty. Other hotel, with significant meeting space include J.W. Marriott Denver at Cherry Creek, Hyatt Regency Denver, and the largest hotel in the state— Adam’s Mark Hotel at the Colorado Convention Center, whose name will soon change under new management.
In a city that is heavily based on its sports scene, you can’t go wrong with an athletic-themed event. Coors Stadium, Invesco Mile High Stadium and the Pepsi Center give groups a glimpse of Denver’s love for sports. Coors Stadium, home to great baseball with the Colorado Rockies, has impressive corporate suites, perfect for pampering executives; Invesco offers a total of 280,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, and the Pepsi Center can host up to 5,000 people.
UNIQUE VENUES
If your group prefers playing rather than just watching sports, make golf the incentive after a meeting at the 15,568-square-foot Conference Center at Copper Mountain, less than two hours west of Denver International Airport. The resort has two golf courses surrounded by stunning peaks—a good choice for meetings located off the beaten path. Red Rocks Amphitheatre, the only naturally occurring amphitheatre in the world, is among the serene mountain landscape marked by two 300-foot monoliths. You won’t believe the natural acoustics. It offers 30,000 sq. ft. of space in its new Visitors Center, just 15 miles from Denver.
If you’re opting to stay closer to downtown, you might check out Denver’s historical Art Deco-style Paramount Theater, offering an intimate 1,870-seat venue for entertainment or awards ceremonies. After the event, groups can wander through Larimer Square, in the heart of LoDo, for excellent shopping, delectable dining and Denver nightlife.
COLORADO SPRINGS
At an elevation of 6,200 feet, Colorado Springs is a city that feels like it’s got universal air conditioning. Privileged to gorgeous views of Pikes Peak, the city has a number of hotels and meeting spaces that cater to any type of event downtown or in a natural setting—although the local ranches are best at sharing the authentic cowboy lifestyle. Imagine team-building activities like cattle drives and skeet shooting, followed by a real chuckwagon supper. Whatever type of venue you need, be sure to get assistance from the CVB (Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak, Convention and Visitors Bureau)—the staff is there to help at no cost.
“We take away a lot of the work. We don’t just send leads out to every hotel; we base it on the meeting. It’s not too good to be true, but it is really, really good,” says Amy Long, director of marketing and membership for Experience Colorado Springs CVB, which has a great new Web site.
MEETING VENUES
Although Colorado Springs doesn’t have a large convention center, there is a wide variety of places to host meetings and events. “We’re excellent with groups of 300 or fewer,” says Long.
Start with The Broadmoor, a luxurious resort on 3,000 acres near gorgeous Cheyenne Lake. It offers the largest and most versatile meeting space in town—with 185,000 sq. ft. of total space, you’re bound to find a suitable backdrop for your function. Its 700 hotel rooms and suites are ready to welcome guests with amenities, golf and a full-service spa.
Additional Rocky Mountain charm can be found at the Cheyenne Mountain Resort. Let their meeting coordinators help you every step of the way: from transportation to setting up top-of-the-line A/V equipment, they can assist with the details. The 40,000 sq. ft. of meeting space, within 38 different rooms (and exquisite views of Cheyenne Mountain), offers a variety of settings at this 218-acre resort. Plus, where else can you find a sandy beach in town?
Right in the downtown area, two major venues regularly host sporting, entertainment and community events. Pikes Peak
Center, which opened in 1982, hosts 200 performances each year. Under the same management, and three miles south of downtown, the World Arena has copious space for banquets and trade shows, with 8,000 seats available (you can even rent the parking lot!). Inside the Palmer Center, a major business complex downtown, you’ll find the Antlers Hilton Colorado Springs, equipped with awesome views, 27,500 sq. ft. of flexible meeting space and fresh beer that’s brewed on-site.
For smaller events, try the Phil Long Expo Center, in the north end of Colorado Springs. Natural light pours in through 160 skylights, illuminating the 92,000 sq. ft. of continuous floor space. The Atrium (4,500 sq. ft.), an adjoining space, can handle 300 guests for cocktails or half of that for a seated function. Several nearby hotels offer accommodations.
UNIQUE VENUES
In 1950, Al Hill had a great idea when he decided to build a club resort on top of a mesa, east of Pikes Peak. Garden of the Gods Club not only has grand views of the jagged rock formations that reach toward the sky, but also, it has 10,000 sq. ft. of meeting space and 108 guest rooms with high-speed Internet access. Not affiliated with the club but sharing the same name is the Garden of the Gods, run by the city. Within this stunning park is the privately owned Trading Post, with 2,400 sq. ft. of outdoor patio space among magnificent red rocks—perfect for a sunset reception. “The red rocks just blow your mind, and the light is very warm—it’s like nothing you’ve ever seen on earth, almost alien-like but beautiful,” says CVB’s Long.
Also beautiful, with a tranquil 20-mile hiking trail system, is the Glen Eyrie Castle, with conference space available. The castle is located just north of The Garden of the Gods.
Put a thrill into your event with a stay at the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, southwest of Colorado Springs. It offers a Great Room and three smaller breakout spaces. Surrounded by deep canyons and blue sky, the property has plenty of outdoor opportunities for post-meeting adventures—for example, cross the 150-foot-high suspension bridge or zoom through the canyons on the skycoaster.
Closer to Colorado Springs, take your group to The Cliff House at Pikes Peak in Manitou Springs. It’s got a 2,500-square-foot ballroom as well as other meeting rooms. Remember to bring drinking cups—Manitou Springs has delicious natural water sources—visitors can take the walking tour and sample the distinct tastes of seven drinking springs bubbling out of the mountainside. Manitou Springs is known for its healing properties (although other theories exist).
“It’s a good workout to get there, so people feel better,” Long says.
If you really want to show your group a good time, go to the M-Lazy-C Ranch, 35 miles west of Colorado Springs, owned and operated by Brenda and Randy Myers. Experience a full rodeo, barrel races and real bucking bulls. And when the sun dips below the Rockies, their outdoor meeting space (for up to 500) transforms into a starlit backdrop for line-dancing and fireworks. Yee haw!
NEWS
- The Denver Art Museum doubled its size and reopened last October, making room to host the largest touring art show ever. A bridge connects the new 146,000-square-foot structure to the original building.
- Opening this October—Denver’s Museum of Contemporary Art, with 27,000 sq. ft., located in LoDo. The design includes five gallery spaces, a garden pavilion, a gift shop and educational space.
- The Denver Zoo will open a 2.6-acre Asian Tropics exhibit in 2009 that will be powered by zoo trash and animal waste. Expect to see elephants, sand pits, flying box bats and Indian rhinos.
- Three new major hotels have opened or are on the books—a Hilton Garden Inn recently opened this year, a 202-room Ritz-Carlton will open this fall and Homewood Suites is due to open with 125 suites by 2008.
- Denver’s current Light Rail project is set for completion by 2018, covering the 7-county metro area (comparable to the size of Connecticut).
Getting There
Downtown Denver is about an hour’s drive from Denver International Airport, served by 22 major airlines.
Colorado Springs Airport offers nonstop service from 12 major cities. The drive from Denver International Airport takes about one hour and 20 minutes. flycos.com
Back to TopFast Facts
| Population | 583,269 |
|---|---|
| Altitude | 5,280 ft |
| Temperature | 14°f - 92°f |
| Nearest Airport | Denver International Airport |
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