Colorado Springs offers an array of activities, including hot-air balloon rides. Courtesy photo

For planners seeking a destination that features wide-open spaces and spellbinding panoramic beauty of mountains, rivers and plains, Colorado, aka “The Centennial State,” more than fulfills that promise. From Aspen to Vail, Colorado Springs to Denver and locations in between, Colorado ranks high on the list of desirable meeting and conference locations.

Colorado Springs

When it comes to selecting a site for TWO MEN AND A TRUCK’s annual conference, Cindy Wilhelm, executive assistant and special events coordinator, often chooses company favorite, The Broadmoor. “We are in the customer-service industry,” Wilhelm says. “The Broadmoor customer service is amazing — the best ever. Expect the best, and you will get it. Everyone loves The Broadmoor.”

The venerable resort has achieved legendary status as a Forbes Five-Star, AAA Five-Diamond service property. Combined with its Seven Falls and the Wilderness Experience boutique camps portfolio — The Ranch at Emerald Valley, Cloud Camp and the Orvis-endorsed Fly-Fishing Camp — The Broadmoor encompasses 5,000 acres with its campus conveniently located just 15 minutes from the Colorado Springs Airport. It offers 784 guest rooms, suites, cottages and brownstones, and the five-bedroom Estate House provides for luxurious retreats with timeless elegance. Private cabins and upscale ranch accommodations are also available at the Wilderness Experience properties. Distinct European-inspired elegance abounds in plush furnishings, warm decor, cozy fireplaces and expansive bathrooms with large soaking tubs, while large picture windows invite lake and mountain views.

For memorable events, 315,000 sf of flexible indoor/outdoor inspiring spaces can accommodate 10 to 5,000 meeting attendees. With the recent addition of Bartolin Hall, The Convention Center at The Broadmoor provides 200,000 sf of meeting, trade shows and exhibit space. Attendees can enjoy fine dining to casual food fare featuring locally sourced, seasonal products at an abundance of restaurants, cafes and lounges.

For a recent first team event post-COVID-19, Brian Hillegass, digital marketing/communications manager with Leybold, wanted the opportunity to unite as a group and bond in a unique and beautiful location, which was absolutely captured in Cheyenne Mountain Colorado Springs, A Dolce Resort hotel, Hillegass says. “The location, stunning views and non-chain hotel feel were unmatched,” he says. “It felt like a unique experience in Colorado.”

The AAA Four-Diamond property covers 200 acres, and is a mere 20-minute drive from The Colorado Springs Airport, which offers 120 daily flights from 10 commercial airlines.

Featuring 316 guest rooms set in eight residential lodges, the resort offers sweeping views of the surrounding mountainscape, 40,000 sf of flexible event space and 38 meeting rooms. It also offers 20,000 sf of functional outdoor space, which includes the 3,200-sf Grand Rivers Terrace and the 5,600-sf Cheyenne Courtyard. Dedicated conference planners can curate unique indigenous team-building activities such as the Cheyenne Dauntless Dash, Build-A-Canoe and Cause & Effect Charity Challenge to connect with the local community.

On-site recreational activities include an 18-hole Pete Dye designed golf course, a 9,000-sf fitness center featuring a schedule of free training classes, 17 indoor/outdoor tennis courts, a private 35-acre lake for watersports and beach-like fun such as volleyball, and boat rentals. Hillegass also recommends event organizers plan plenty of off-site activities. Area adventures run the gamut from hiking and biking to fishing, hot-air balloon rides, zip lining and scenic train rides.

Attendees can enjoy breakfast at the Mountain View restaurant and casual gourmet food fare at Gates Grille along with the spellbinding views while dining al fresco after a round of golf. Attendees can also soak up the scenery when dining around the fire pit or settle inside in cozy ambiance at Elevations. Both pub food and entrees highlight the locally sourced, seasonal menu.

The Lodge at Flying Horse has achieved distinction as a boutique AAA Four-Diamond property, and was the welcomed choice of Carol McCormack, senior event strategist at Maritz Global Events, whose client was looking for a more intimate setting for their small strategic planning meeting in a mountain destination. In addition, McCormack says, “The Lodge at Flying Horse provided them with a unique venue that was extremely comfortable for their size group. The affordability of Colorado Springs and the resort were also huge factors in their decision.”

Eight indoor function rooms provide nearly 7,500 sf of meeting and event space. An added 10,000 sf of outdoor event space for up to 200 guests comes with views of the Audubon-certified Tom Weiskopf golf course against the backdrop of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. Floor-to-ceiling windows inside two large conference rooms feature natural light, with the added amenity of fireplaces, while the more intimate executive boardroom also features natural light and an 84-inch built-in presentation monitor.

The lodge offers 96 luxurious guest accommodations ranging from 580 sf to 1,000 sf, and features oversized showers, large work/study desk stations and 55-inch flat-screen TVs. Private balconies provide stunning views of the Rocky Mountain Front Range. Accommodations also include four separate 1,600-sf two-bedroom Villas, with a 600-sf great room separating the two bedrooms, plus private terraces, fireplaces, free-standing tubs and walk-in closets.

In addition to four golf course eateries, world-class dining options at the property feature The Steakhouse & The Bar/Lounge, serving dinner and small bites. Located within The Club at Flying Horse are the Fortezza Dining Room and Lobby Bar in the East Lodge building, and The Athletic Grill, serving health-conscious salads, flat breads and sandwiches, as well as beverages and smoothies.

State-of-the-art athletic equipment and a robust schedule of fitness classes, including Yoga, Pilates, Zumba and high-intensity cardio set the stage for healthy lifestyle offerings on the property. Added amenities feature a heated 25-yard lap pool, seasonal adult activities, splash pools, indoor basketball, volleyball and clay tennis courts.

“Based upon my client’s feedback,” McCormack says, “I think the attendees loved the location, beauty and service of the resort. My client indicated that if they return to the area, The Lodge at Flying Horse would be at the top of their list.”

Denver

There’s a lot to love in Colorado’s “Mile-High City,” from food, whiskey and walking history tours, to exploring unique neighborhoods, museums and more.

A focus on sustainable meetings starts with the centrally located LEED Gold-Certified Colorado Convention Center, easily accessible via light-rail service from Denver International Airport and within walking distance of more than 13,000 hotel rooms. Amenities feature three covered drop-off points, 600+ parking spaces, 48 covered loading docks and easy-to-read signage throughout the building.

Visitors need only look for the 40-foot, 10,000-pound Blue Bear peering into the windows of the convention center to find one’s bearings. Bountiful public art projects, such as a series of 10 massive murals depicting the Denver landscape transformation over 500,000 years also grace the interior.

At a glance, planners have access to 577,000 sf of exhibit space on one level and 63 meeting rooms and 100,000 sf of meeting space. Two ballrooms provide a total of 85,000 sf of flexible meeting space, including the 35,000-sf Four Seasons Ballroom and 50,000-sf Mile High Ballroom. In addition, the Bellco Theatre features state-of-the-art A/V capabilities and seats up to 5,000 attendees.

Scheduled for opening late this year, a new convention center expansion will feature 80,000 sf of versatile column-free meeting and ballroom space with 35,000 sf of pre-function space offering spectacular Rocky Mountain views, plus a 20,000-sf outdoor terrace on the roof of the existing building.

For accommodations, the adjacent Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center offers easy accessibility to desirable downtown locations beyond the convention center, such as the 16th Street Mall and Denver Center for the Performing Arts. The Hyatt Regency’s 1,100 newly refreshed guest rooms include 59 suites with views of the surrounding Rocky Mountains, downtown Denver and the state’s Capitol building.

The hotel’s more than 60,000 sf of versatile event space features pre-function space and 35 hybrid-capable meeting rooms. The 30,000-sf Centennial Ballroom, with 30-foot ceilings, can accommodate up to 3,000 attendees, while the Capitol Ballroom spans 14,000 sf and has a spacious foyer on either side of the ballroom for an additional 8,000 sf. Special features include the Centennial Ballroom’s glass lighting in the shape of mountain peaks and the Capitol Ballroom’s hand-blown Italian light fixtures. Planners can also reserve the 2,250-sf, 27th-floor Peaks Lounge for daytime events that accommodates up to 200 attendees or the 3,500-sf terrace for up to 300 attendees.

Find grab-and-go food options or a quick bite and glass of wine at the new lobby Assembly Hall Bar + Market. A variety of downtown restaurants and bars support the city’s food and craft beer culture within easy walking distance. Catering menus for attendees highlight Colorado food fare while being mindful of lifestyle preferences, whether vegan, gluten-free, vegetarian or nut- or dairy-free.

A reimagined AAA Four-Diamond Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel on the popular 16th Street Pedestrian Mall invites guests to connect and converse at the hotel’s Community Tables in the lobby. Modern phone booths for video or audio calls and collaborative meeting studios in high-tech, light-filled spaces are among the special features. A massive $80 million transformation highlights a vibrant lobby atmosphere, world-class culinary experiences, more than 133,000 sf of flexible meeting space and 1,238 redesigned guest rooms.

The event space includes 52 meeting rooms and stunning event venues with the largest capacity space at 2,100 attendees. High-speed internet and state-of-the-art A/V equipment serviced by on-site technicians is designed to accommodate attendee needs. The 28,000-sf Plaza Ballroom features 20,000 sf of dedicated exhibit space.

Dining options start with the stylish new BEZEL Bar serving innovative craft cocktails and mocktails along with small plates, such as the Bezel Bison Sliders and Colorado Lamb Lili Pops. Guests can cozy up at the classy bar in an intimate indoor setting or gather around the outdoor fire pit while an on-site DJ spins tunes, adding to the chic, sophisticated ambiance. Open daily from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., the 16th Street Commons Coffee Bar in the hotel’s renovated lobby offers a welcome transitional space serving coffee to help attendees ease into the day and wind down in the evening with a beer or glass of wine. The adjacent 16th Street Commons Café features sweet and savory flavors and fresh, locally sourced cuisine in a casual setting. Or, attendees can stop by the hotel’s nearby Yard House for steak and seafood specialities.

Aspen

Clean mountain air, bountiful sunshine and year-round outdoor activities invite attendees to Aspen, which offers renowned arts and culture, exceptional cuisine, world-class accommodations and countless outdoor pursuits. Convention venues include Aspen Meadows Resort, where beauty, art and nature thrive on 40 pristine acres with panoramic mountain views. The environmentally friendly resort is currently undergoing a renovation — expected to wrap up in the spring — of all 98 guest suites with floor-to-ceiling windows and contemporary decor, suitable for business and leisure travelers with families. For meetings and events, 22,000 sf of space provides 16 meeting rooms in six different buildings, each with state-of-the-art A/V equipment and business center.

Other meeting and convention venues in Aspen include Hotel Jerome, An Auberge Resort, which offers 7,500 sf of event space that includes the 3,450-sf Grand Ballroom; and The Gant Aspen, which offers the Molly Campbell Conference Center, with the 1,380-sf Conundrum Room and the 1,820-sf Maroon Room.

Vail

From hiking in the summer to skiing in the winter, Vail offers some of the best alpine resorts in the world with a friendly, small-town feel. Upscale, luxurious convention hotels in Vail include Grand Hyatt Vail, located at the base of Vail Mountain. The hotel features plentiful outdoor recreational opportunities, 40,000 sf of versatile meeting and event space and 285 guest rooms, many with balconies to take in the sweeping mountain views and fireplaces for warming up after a brisk walk or play day on the slopes.

Other meeting and convention hotels include The Hythe, a Luxury Collection Resort, Vail, which offers nearly 29,000 sf of meeting and event space that includes the 8,296-sf Grand Ballroom and the 4,400-sf, Colorado Ballroom; and Four Seasons Resort And Residences Vail, which offers 8,480 sf of meeting space that includes the Bighorn Ballroom, at 3,550 sf.

Breckenridge

This mountain town at the base of the Rocky Mountains’ Tenmile Range is a 90-minute drive west of Denver. Known for its ski resort, year-round alpine activities and Gold Rush history, visitors are encouraged to leave behind their cars and explore on foot. Its popular Breckenridge National Historic District runs primarily along Main Street and features colorfully painted buildings from the 1880s and as well as housing shops, galleries and restaurants. The town offers 100,000+ sf of meeting space, more than 100 restaurants and bars and more than 200 shops. Convention hotels include the Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center, which offers 40,000 sf of meeting space that includes the 5,400-sf Breckenridge Ballroom and the 7,200-sf Colorado Ballroom; and the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Breckenridge, which offers 9,207 sf of space that includes the 6,351-sf Columbine and Mt. Elbert rooms.

Aurora

Aurora is located between the Rocky Mountains and Eastern Plains, giving every visitor the opportunity to explore all sides of Colorado. Aurora offers more than 65 hotel properties with 13,000+ guest rooms, and more than 1 million sf of meeting space. Convention venues include the state’s largest and newest resort, Gaylord Rockies Resort & Convention Center. The resort offers nearly 518,000 sf of meeting space, which includes the 59,467-sf Aurora Ballroom, 34,467-sf Adams Ballroom and 34,463-sf Colorado Ballroom. Another convention hotel is the 249-guest room Hyatt Regency Aurora/Denver Conference Center, which offers 36,000 sf of meeting and event space that includes the 11,800-sf Aurora Ballroom and a 4,000-sf outdoor terrace. C&IT