Planning meetings and events in southwest Colorado means working with mountain communities that deliver a big dose of personality, spectacular beauty, and memorable venues and activities. The region is a little off the beaten path from the state’s larger population areas, but that is what keeps it extraordinary with plentiful open space.
While the geographic outline of southwest Colorado varies based on who you talk to, Colorado Meetings + Events focuses on Durango, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, and Telluride, since they all have unique offerings. Plus, Durango and Telluride have convenient regional airports, and Pagosa Springs is about 60 miles east and Silverton 48 miles to the north of Durango.
Durango and Telluride are best suited to host groups, but a major expansion that wrapped up this spring at The Springs Resort & Spa has broadened the possibilities in Pagosa Springs. Silverton can host small groups for overnight stays at the Grand Imperial Hotel, which was fully renovated by the owners of Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad and has 37 guest rooms plus Grumpy’s Restaurant and Saloon.
Not only do they share the same part of the state, but Durango, Pagosa Springs, Silverton, and Telluride all also have rich mining history dating from the 1870s to 1890s, and have ski resorts in town or nearby. Telluride Ski Resort is the largest, while Durango is home to Purgatory Resort. Silverton has Kendall Mountain and the ultrachallenging Silverton Mountain Ski Area, and Pagosa Springs has easy access to Wolf Creek Resort, located about 30 minutes away.
On Track Together
With a population of about 15,000 that grows when Fort Lewis College is in session, Durango is one of southwest Colorado’s largest towns. Three historic hotels downtown—Strater Hotel, The Rochester Hotel, and General Palmer Hotel—offer memorable lodging and function space along with easy access to loads of shops, restaurants, and museums.
It’s an easy walk from these hotels to the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad depot and museum to take a beautiful ride to Silverton for a day or overnight. While in Silverton, groups can book meeting and event space at Kendall Mountain Community Center and Silverton Town Hall. Planners might choose to stop midway on the route at Soaring Tree Top Adventures for a team-building excursion on the largest zip-lining course in the U.S., with 27 spans, paired with a gourmet four-course lunch in the trees.
Or, consider DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Durango that borders the Animas River, has the Animas River Beer Garden, and features 7,500 square feet of meeting and event space. James Ranch, Bar D Chuckwagon, and craft breweries like Steamworks Brewing Co., Carver Brewing Co., and Ska Brewing Co., are worthy places to gather, along with Durango Hot Springs Resort & Spa.
For outdoor adventures, book a sleigh or horseback ride with Bear’s Ranch. Or, consider a scenic Jeep tour through La Plata Canyon or a private tour to Mesa Verde National Park (about 35 miles away) with Durango Rivertrippers & Adventure Tours.
Downtown Colorado Inc. (DCI), a nonprofit centered on supporting the downtown infrastructures of Colorado communities, selected Durango for its 2024 annual conference last April. Most of the sessions were held at Strater Hotel and The Powerhouse science museum, and included in the event itinerary were walking and mobile tours, an awards dinner at the Animas Theater, and a dinner with DJs at Lola’s Place and 11th Street Station.
“Durango is a vibrant and hospitable place to plan a meeting and conference,” says DCI Executive Director Katherine Correll. “There are a variety of venues, from historic to utilitarian and innovative. The partners, people, and scenery created an atmosphere for attendees that engaged participants and created memories.”
Connected by Gondola
When people talk about Telluride, they usually are referencing two southwest Colorado towns: historic Telluride, founded in 1878, and Mountain Village, where Telluride Ski Resort opened in 1972. As the name implies, Telluride Ski & Golf offers both sports in Mountain Village, as well as Telluride Racquet Club, a bike park, and a canopy adventure with zip lines, aerial bridges, and rappeling.
The communities are connected by a free gondola that operates day and night, giving groups easy access to the charming downtown area, ski area, and all the amenities both offer. The largest lodging properties and meeting and event spaces are in Mountain Village, including the 16,000-square-foot Telluride Conference Center. Planners seeking accommodations and function space all in one location should consider The Peaks Resort & Spa and Madeline Hotel & Residences, Auberge Resorts Collection.
The Peaks Resort & Spa, owned by Telluride Ski Resort, can host groups of up to 300 with 10,000 square feet of indoor function space and 9,000 square feet of outdoor decks and terraces; this is complemented by 150 guest rooms, 16 cabins and condominiums, and 10 penthouses and suites. The property is adjacent to the ski resort and golf course, while two restaurants and a 42,000-square-foot spa with a fitness center, pools, hot tubs, and a range of spa treatments keep attendees fed and relaxed.
“Regardless of season, there are countless activities to experience,” says Jesse Kittlestad, director of sales at The Peaks Resort & Spa. “Coupled with the restaurants, festivals, events, and shops, you can’t go wrong. Also, having the ability to hold a program or conference above 9,000 feet and literally walk out our doors to ski, golf, or hike makes for some of the best team building imaginable.”
Madeline Hotel & Residences is an 83-room and 71-residence property that has 4,000 square feet of meeting space and the prestigious Forbes Five-Star rating. The Idarado Ballroom can accommodate up to 270 people and opens onto a prefunction area with views of Reflection Plaza Ice Skating Rink and Telluride Ski Resort. During warmer months, the ice rink is covered with AstroTurf and can be used as a 6,500-square-foot outdoor venue.
Groups can enjoy Madeline Hotel & Residences’ many amenities, including a slope-side ski valet; Alpine Swim Club with a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tubs, fire pits, and an alfresco lounge; Black Iron Kitchen and Bar; and Timber Room with outdoor fire tables and an indoor/outdoor bar. Last December, the hotel introduced Crest Club, a private members club that can be used as a summer event space.
For on-mountain events, there are several venues under the Telluride Ski Resort umbrella. “Allred’s, Gorrono Ranch, Alpino Vino, Bon Vivant, and Tomboy Tavern are the most event friendly, and all venues except for Alpino Vino can be utilized in both the summer and winter,” says Ben Solomon, manager of business development for Telluride Ski & Golf. For standout experiences, he recommends “First Light,” an hour of skiing before the resort opens to the public; “Opening Story,” a snowcat ride to the top of the mountain at sunrise with the head of operations and ski patrol; and meet and greets with avalanche dogs, which include demonstrations.
The town of Telluride has smaller lodging options like Hotel Columbia, New Sheridan Hotel, and The Hotel Telluride, as well as lots of restaurants and shopping boutiques. Ah Haa School for the Arts, Sheridan Opera House, and Telluride Science and Innovation Center are among the attractions that offer on-site options for meeting and event space.
Hot Springs Hideaway
Pagosa Springs is best suited for smaller groups and is one of Colorado’s prime hot springs destinations, with three options for planners to consider: The Springs Resort & Spa, Healing Waters Resort & Spa, and Overlook Hot Springs Spa. Located at The Springs Resort & Spa, “The Mother Spring” was discovered by the Southern Ute Indian Tribe, currently feeds all geothermal pools and waterworks throughout Pagosa Springs, and is certified by Guinness World Records as the World’s Deepest Geothermal Hot Spring Aquifer at 1,002 feet.
The Springs Resort & Spa offers the whole package for groups including meeting space, accommodations, hot springs, and activities. The upscale property recently added 78 guest rooms and suites (bringing the total to 157), 20 new hot springs pools (for a current total of more than 50), a new geothermal spa with 12 treatment rooms, and an outdoor event space with a lawn and stage. In total, the property’s meeting and event space can accommodate groups of up to 100 guests.
The project also introduced Wild Finch, a culinary destination centered on seasonal and wellness-driven cuisine, along with an outdoor dining experience known as 1881 Poolside Provisions. Overnight guests can access the adults-only Relaxation Terrace and daily wellness activities such as aqua yoga, aqua floating meditation, aqua sound bathing, and a detox contrast circuit, with the latter maximizing the various benefits of cold-plunge therapy.
“With the addition of our immersive guest accommodations, expanded geothermal soaking pools, enhanced spa, and dedicated wellness spaces, The Springs Resort & Spa is evolving into a comprehensive wellness retreat,” says Dr. Marcus Coplin, the resort’s medical director. “Our dining experiences further enhance the resort’s offerings, creating a holistic, rejuvenating escape that redefines what it means to connect with nature and prioritize health.”
Like the resort, RiverWalk Inn has a riverside location and can accommodate groups of up to 50. If you are searching for just a venue, consider Liberty Theatre and Pagosa Springs Center for the Arts. The center is the largest with 7,000 square feet of space and a capacity of 200 attendees.
For activities, Jennifer Green, executive director of Visit Pagosa Springs, recommends a guided tour at Chimney Rock National Monument, mountain biking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting, tubing, the Pagosa Escape Zone, and theater productions at the center. In winter, she suggests snowmobiling, snowshoeing, and Nordic skiing. The community also has two breweries, a 27-hole championship golf course at Pagosa Springs Golf Club, and miniature golf and disc golf courses.
durango.org
silvertoncolorado.com
telluride.com
visitpagosasprings.com
