Most people would be intimidated taking over a position held by their predecessor for 38 years. Not Lisa Lindgren. While she admits to having been somewhat nervous, she stepped into her role as general manager of the 107-year-old Hotel Boulderado in February with confidence born of experience.
Most recently, Lindgren was GM of Table Mountain Inn in Golden. She continues to serve as area director of hotel operations for Concept Restaurants, Inc., which includes oversight of the Boulderado along with Table Mountain Inn and Quality Inn Louisville. The current president of Destination Colorado, a nonprofit organization that promotes the state as a premiere place to gather, has more than 25 years of experience in the hospitality industry in Colorado, California, Arizona and Minnesota, including five years as advertising director for Colorado Meetings + Events and Northern California Meetings + Events.
We asked Lindgren about her vision for the Boulderado and work/play balance.
COM+E: What does it feel like stepping into the shoes of someone as well-known as Sid Anderson?
LL: It’s exciting because I’m from Boulder originally, and it feels good to be back. It’s definitely a challenge, but I’ve come full circle, combining both operations and sales.
COM+E: What do you like best about your job?
LL: I’m involved in all areas of the hotel and helping to make decisions that move the hotel forward. We renovated our 5,000-square-foot events center and have gutted 114 of the 160 guest rooms. Those will be redone from wall covering and carpet to furniture, lighting fixtures, countertops, everything. There are a couple of new hotels coming into the market, so we have to remain competitive and provide the Boulderado with a fresh look and fresh feel. It’s a modern design that aligns with the historic property. Additional renovations will occur over the next year. The vision for the lobby is to make it a gathering place for locals, and for the mezzanine to offer flexible meeting space.
COM+E: What do you like to do in your limited spare time?
LL: I own a boutique horse boarding facility in Longmont. I also do a lot of adventure travel. In 2012, Don Shepard and I got married in a Nepal monastery at 12,400 feet. We’ve traveled to Morocco and are planning a trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos this fall. I work hard, then plan for a reviving vacation.