Historic venues and neighborhoods provide a sense of place, grandeur, and intrigue. The stories are rich, the architecture is interesting, and the stewardship required is impressive. Colorado was officially named a state in 1876, so the oldest buildings are typically dated to around that time. Yet, the state’s heritage stretches much further back as evidenced by treasures like Mesa Verde National Park located between Cortez and Mancos in the southwest region.
Established in 1879, History Colorado keeps residents and visitors plugged into this heritage by providing experiences and exhibitions at its 11 museums and historic sites. While the History Colorado Center building in Denver isn’t historic itself, it’s an impressive place and a full-service option for groups of 10 to 1,500 people. History Colorado also has the Center for Colorado Women’s History and Grant-Humphreys Mansion in Denver, which have lovely spaces for indoor and outdoor meetings and events.
Planners also can check out the options for memorable gatherings at the organization’s El Pueblo History Museum in Pueblo, Fort Garland Museum & Cultural Center in Fort Garland, Healy House Museum and Dexter Cabin in Leadville, Trinidad History Museum in Trinidad, and Ute Indian Museum in Montrose. “Whether you are holding a wedding at the breathtaking Grant-Humphreys Mansion, a corporate gala at the majestic History Colorado Center, or a memorable party in the authentic placita at El Pueblo History Museum, our venues inspire curiosity and broaden guests’ horizons as they embrace the spirit of the Centennial State,” says Jeannie McFarland Johnson, director of marketing and communications for History Colorado.
Many other communities have their own museums in repurposed and architecturally significant historic buildings, such as the Crested Butte Museum and the City of Greeley’s Centennial Village Museum and Greeley History Museum. At these and other museums around the state, attendees can browse displays about Native American tribes that were among the state’s earliest residents, the Gold Rush, Wild West escapades, agricultural pioneers, the development of ski areas by 10th Mountain Division veterans after World War II, and more. Groups can give a nod to their own history and chart their future at these and other amazing places.
Majestic Hotels
One of the major benefits of booking Colorado’s premier historic hotels is they offer a full range of services from accommodations and function space to catering, activities, and amenities like spas, fitness centers, pools, and more. Two of these properties recently sold and have big plans in the works.
AJ Capital Partners, a real estate and hospitality company headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, acquired Hotel Boulderado in March. Since opening its doors on New Year’s Eve in 1908, Hotel Boulderado has served as a cornerstone of the Boulder community. AJ Capital Partners, in partnership with previous owners Frank and Gina Day, are embarking on a phased renovation project beginning this fall that involves redesigning the guest rooms and refreshing public areas and the 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space. The anticipated completion date is next spring.
As the renovation wraps up, Hotel Boulderado will join the Graduate by Hilton collection. The Hotel Boulderado name will be preserved, along with the property’s signature architectural elements. “We have chosen to partner with AJ Capital Partners because of the magnificent work they’ve done with other historic hotels like the Chicago Athletic Association, The Unbound Collection by Hyatt; Randolph Hotel in Oxford, England; and Rusacks St Andrews in Scotland,” says Frank Day.
In May, the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority, established by the State of Colorado’s General Assembly in 1981, purchased The Stanley Hotel that overlooks Rocky Mountain National Park. Built in 1909 by inventor Freelan Oscar Stanley, the 68-acre property in Estes Park has 191 guest rooms across multiple accommodations, including the historic main hotel and the contemporary Aspire wing. The hotel’s 25,000 square feet of meeting and event space includes both historic and modern options.
The Stanley Hotel is now being managed by Denver-based Sage Hospitality Group, which oversees more than 120 properties, including The Oxford Hotel in Denver. “The Stanley Hotel represents everything we look for in a landmark property: a rich history, innovative programming, and deep community connections,” says Daniel del Olmo, president and co-CEO of Sage Hospitality Group. “We see so much opportunity and look forward to creating memorable guest experiences.”
The Stanley is well known as the inspiration for Stephen King’s book “The Shining” and the subsequent movie of the same name. It’s a place where groups can dine at Cascades Restaurant, sip spirits at The Whiskey Bar, relax at the wellness center and spa, and take in concerts at the Stanley Live entertainment venue. Upcoming plans include expanding the hotel, hosting the annual Sundance Institute Labs, and creating a horror film museum and event center.
Back in Denver, it’s important to mention The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection. Henry Cordes Brown, a carpenter turned real estate entrepreneur from Ohio, purchased several acres of land in Denver, including the triangular plot at the corners of North Broadway, Tremont Place, and 17th Street. He made a name for himself by donating land for the Colorado State Capitol and made a fortune selling off the rest of his Capitol Hill land. No expense was spared for The Brown, which opened in 1892 and has hosted many prominent guests since. Today, the 241 guest rooms and suites surround a stunning eight-story atrium, and there are several dining outlets, a spa, and about 20,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
Also of significance in Denver is The Oxford Hotel, which was built in 1891 and has 8,000 square feet of function space. The Oxford is near Denver Union Station, which opened in 1914. Restaurants, bars, shops, and The Crawford Hotel are located within the beaux arts-style station, which also has its own 15,000 square feet of event space. A renovation of the hotel, including the Grand Hall and other meeting and event spaces, wrapped up last year.
The builders of many of Colorado’s top historic hotels were titans of their time. Spencer and Julie Penrose made their money in mining and built The Broadmoor in 1918. While much has changed at the world’s longest running Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond hotel, the unwavering commitment to top-notch service has not. Planners can choose between historic accommodations and gathering places like in the Broadmoor Main and newer options on the 5,000-acre campus that has 315,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
When Walter Devereux—a silver baron and one of the early settlers of Glenwood Springs—opened the Glenwood Hot Springs Pool in Glenwood Springs in 1888, the West was booming. Five years later, he unveiled the impressive Hotel Colorado nearby. The property wrapped up a multiphase, $10 million renovation in 2023 that included updates to all guest rooms and the 10,000 square feet of meeting and event space.
Hotel Colorado and the hot springs are no longer connected via ownership but still work closely. What is now known as Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has expanded to include seven hot springs pools and two options for accommodations. The new Hotel 1888, a 16-room luxury boutique hotel, opened within the historic poolside Stone Bath House in June and is ideal for incentive trips and executive or board retreats. The Lodge at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort wrapped up a renovation of all 107 guest rooms and suites in March and has two large conference rooms with space for mingling in between.
For additional lodging with history that dates to 1905, groups can walk across the pedestrian bridge from these two Glenwood Springs properties to Hotel Maxwell Anderson, previously known as Hotel Denver, which completed a comprehensive transformation last year. While there is no function space on-site, the hotel works with nearby meeting and event venues to accommodate groups. Elsewhere in the state, meeting planners also might consider Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder, Hotel Jerome in Aspen, New Sheridan Hotel in Telluride, Strater Hotel in Durango, and The Armstrong Hotel in Fort Collins.
Gorgeous Venues
Like those mentioned in conjunction with History Colorado, many historic venues that are available for meetings and events are not hotels but rather homes, churches, opera houses, and other landmarks. For example, at the Molly Brown House Museum in Denver, high tea is available for groups of 10 to 30, and receptions with light beverages and snacks can be booked for up to 40 in conjunction with tours.
The Sports Castle, a landmark built as a Chrysler showroom in 1926, is part of San Francisco-based Non Plus Ultra’s Denver portfolio. The building’s 35,000 square feet span three floors of open space with a dedicated bar, an open mezzanine, and stained-glass windows. The nearby building housing Ironworks was constructed in three phases—from 1900 to the 1950s—as the home of Midwest Steel and Ironworks. Today, groups of 50 to 350 flow easily among the main floor, bar, mezzanine, and patio, and attendees will notice the exposed brick, chandeliers, and original hardwood floors.
Also in Denver, two former churches are available for rent. Auraria Campus that is shared by three colleges has St. Cajetan’s, a Spanish colonial church built in 1925 that is now a multipurpose event center. The Church Nightclub opened in 1865 as St. Mark’s Episcopal Church. It remains an impressive example of Gothic architecture with ornate detailing, stained-glass windows, and high ceilings. A variety of spaces totaling 17,200 square feet is available to rent, and the entire venue served as the backdrop for Meeting Professionals International Rocky Mountain Chapter’s (MPIRMC) annual awards gala and auction in December.
“The Church Nightclub is an amazing historical venue and our MPIRMC Special Events Team turned the space into something truly magical,” says MPIRMC Executive Director Freddie Templeton. The association has booked several historic venues over the years, she says, and since 2020 has held a board retreat at Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder, a member event at Four Mile Historic Park in Denver, and a joint gathering with the Professional Convention Management Association Rocky Mountain Chapter at The Brown Palace Hotel and Spa, Autograph Collection, in Denver. MPIRMC also has held several golf tournaments and retreats at The Broadmoor and multiple meetings at Denver’s Wellshire Event Center.
West of Denver in Golden, Boettcher Mansion is within Lookout Mountain Nature Preserve and was built in 1917 as a summer home and seasonal hunting lodge for businessman and philanthropist Charles Boettcher. In the 1970s, the property was donated to Jefferson County and renamed as Lorraine Lodge. It was later listed on the National Register for Historic Places in 1984. Today, the distinct mansion, carriage house, and gazebo are available for meetings and events.
Five opera houses in the mountains teamed up last year to form the Colorado Historic Opera House Circuit: Central City Opera House in Central City, Sheridan Opera House in Telluride, Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Wheeler Opera House in Aspen, and Wright Opera House in Ouray. All are on the National Register of Historic Places, were built from 1878 to 1913, and serve as memorable places to gather or catch a performance or event.
thearmstronghotel.com
aubergeresorts.com/hoteljerome
aurariacampus.edu
boulderado.com
brownpalace.com
chautauqua.com
churchnightclubco.com
coloradooperahouses.com
historycolorado.org
hotelcolorado.com
hotspringspool.com
ironworksdenver.co
jeffco.us
maxwellandersonhotel.com
newsheridan.com
npu.co
theoxfordhotel.com
stanleyhotel.com
strater.com
