By Beth Buehler
Most people have fond feelings for their native state. I grew up on Colorado’s Front Range and now live on the Western Slope in the mountains. Writing about the Centennial State and traveling this place for work and fun is one of my passions, so I came up with four reasons why Colorado is distinct as a group travel destination.
Active State – The lifestyle in Colorado is energetic, meaning a majority of residents make being outside and getting exercise a priority. Traveling groups are missing out if they don’t plug into this state of mind: think yoga on an outdoor patio at a downtown Denver hotel or next to a Palisade vineyard, taking llamas on a picnic hike in Vail or hot air ballooning in Snowmass. There are activities for all levels of adventure appetites.
Hot air ballooning over Snowmass. Courtesy Snowmass Tourism.
Beautiful State – Colorado is on the bucket lists of many global travelers. That is extremely helpful for securing attendance numbers that will please the C-Suite or organizing an executive retreat that will be well received. Build the beauty into your group travel itinerary, whether it is a concert and outing to the iconic Red Rocks Park & Amphitheatre in Morrison, a sleigh ride dinner to Uley’s Cabin at Crested Butte Mountain Resort and Beano’s Cabin at Beaver Creek, or catching a glimpse of Colorado Springs’ ultra-unique Garden of the Gods from a meeting room or while playing a round of golf at Garden of the Gods Collection. Zebulon Pike, the curator of curiosity at Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, has all sorts of neat excursions groups can book.
Sleigh ride dinner to Uley’s Cabin at Crested Butte Mountain Resort. Courtesy Trent Bona.
Views from the Mesa Room at Garden of the Gods Collection in Colorado Springs. Courtesy Garden of the Gods Collection.
Innovative State – When there is a spirit of innovation in a state, I believe it naturally spills over into the meetings and events industry. Companies based in Colorado also host national and international group gatherings here and expect the latest and greatest from hotels, venues, meeting and event planners, audio-visual providers, team-building activities and more. I continue to be stunned at all that is happening, especially in the areas of group lodging, food, beverage and culture. Look at downtown Denver alone, and you will see what I mean!
The Denver Art Museum has innovative function space and a terrific collection and is currently upgrading its North Building. Courtesy VISIT DENVER.
Cooperative State – Knowing that your hotel partner works with your off-site restaurant venue and that they both connect regularly with the local destination marketing organization and so on is worth more than money can buy in terms of peace of mind. While there is naturally a friendly competition, everyone is on the same page when it comes to rolling out the red carpet and securing group travel business for Colorado. This is best illustrated by the existence of groups such as Destination Colorado and the Meetings Industry Council of Colorado. Cooperation, hard work and ingenuity built the West, and those are still hallmarks of Colorado.
Relaxing in Beaver Creek might mean patio time at The Ritz-Carlton, Bachelor Gulch. Courtesy The Ritz-Carlton.
To find out a great deal more about Colorado group travel, browse this website and pick up the phone to get more information from friendly and knowledgeable local experts. Colorful Colorado … it’s way more than just a slogan!
Beth Buehler is editor of Colorado Meetings + Events and Mountain Meetings magazines, has planned numerous meetings and events and enjoys exploring Colorado in all seasons.
