A Meeting in Colorado – Just What the Doctor Ordered

Are you thinking about incorporating health and wellness into your next destination meeting or event? Colorado is one of the nation’s fittest and most active states. It’s easy to understand why. Colorado is consistently ranked as one of the top 10 healthiest states by a variety of websites and publications. The Centennial State is well-known for its low percentage of obese adults and active adults. Even children benefit from a healthy environment. A vast majority of childhood obesity rankings from credible sources praise Colorado’s physically fit youngsters.
With so much to do, it’s easy to see why Colorado is one of the healthiest states. The state regularly comes out on top for rankings for adults who have participated in a physical activity within the past 30 days.
Along with a healthy body comes a healthy mind. Although there are no official tests for this, we’re quite sure that Colorado is one of the happiest states in the Union. There are 300 days of sunshine a year, bluebird skies, fresh alpine air, glorious scenery and amazing outdoor adventures. Of course, the highlight of all this is the magnificent Rocky Mountains. Colorado offers the most abundant mountain activities from easy hiking and biking to world-class skiing and the best whitewater rafting in the United States.
Health and wellness are a way of life in Colorado. The mountains are a fantastic spot to disconnect from society and reconnect with yourself. The extensive nature is utterly inspiring, and many who journey into the mountains – even for only a few days – return home rejuvenated and reinvigorated. A mountain getaway promotes a holistic sense of wellness. It’s good for the spirit. Ask anyone who lives in Denver and escapes to the mountains on a regular basis and they’ll tell you: It’s the quickest way to recharge your internal battery.

Lift Your Team’s Spirit in Colorado

There are lots of ways to incorporate Colorado’s health and wellness vibe into your meetings and events in a variety of ways. From the Mile High City of Denver to the soaring 14,000-foot mountain peaks, Colorado’s natural wonders are waiting to welcome you attendees.
Colorado’s active outdoor lifestyle flourishes year-round with wide-open spaces, outdoor experiences and world class activities. Quite simply, it’s an outdoorsy state. Every destination in the state provides an endless supply of activities. There’s biking, golf, hiking, rafting, fishing and tennis in the warmer months and skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, ice skating, sleigh rides and dog sledding in the winter.
Plug into nearby activities once work is done, or break for a bit and take your team on an inspiring hike on a nearby trail or walking path. There’s everything from historic walking tours to foodie walks between delightful restaurants. Many of our group accommodations offer workout facilities nearby so you can get in a workout to energize before an important meeting, or burn off your excess adrenaline after killing it in a group session.
Not only do our group spaces consider the many local activities, but we’re also keen on eating right. Healthy cuisine is an important part of the equation, and Colorado’s top restaurants utilize local ingredients to prepare authentic farm-to-table fare. Many also provide vegetarian and vegan options for conscientious eaters.

Enjoy a Taste of Colorado

Your functions can include planned breaks for a delightful lunch on a scenic patio, or a healthy lunch or welcoming reception. A popular choice for many groups is to start with a get-to-know-you cocktail party on a charming veranda before heading indoors for a formal dinner.
Wonderful food and drink are a great way to keep your team happy during meetings. Having healthy food options will keep your team from getting sluggish during sessions. Eating right can result in more smiles, an improved morale and a more open dialogue. Great food is also something that isn’t soon forgotten, and stepping up your group’s dining experiences will create lasting memories for years to come.
Colorado’s culinary scene is so prevalent, it is easy to plan exciting activities near various meeting venues around the state. In Denver, you can explore downtown’s thriving restaurant scene that includes everything from up-and-coming concept restaurants to established favorites with James Beard-winning chefs (the nation’s largest annual culinary honor).
Downtown Denver isn’t the only place in Colorado to experience an incredible dining experience. Some of the best chefs in the world ply their wares at the state’s finest ski resorts like Aspen, Vail and Beaver Creek. And what would a Colorado getaway be without a frothy mug of one of the state’s premier brews? From Fort Collins to Pueblo, there are plenty of spots to belly up to the bar to sample a wide array of liquid pleasures – like craft brews and home-grown, small-batch distilleries. In Golden, you can tour the iconic Coors Brewing Company, one of the largest breweries in the country. In total, the state has more than 400 recognized breweries.
For those with a more refined palate, Colorado is a fantastic destination for wine lovers. The state has several urban wineries in and around Denver and Colorado Springs, and the town of Palisades near Grand Junction has beautiful vineyards that produce a fantastic selection of robust wines. You can tour the vineyards on foot, or experience them from a comfortable seat in an inflatable raft. There are several whitewater-to-wine rafting trips that offer an easy ride with generous tastes of locally produced wines.

Relax Your Mind and Body

Treat your team to a relaxing spa treatment. Many of our finest meeting destinations have on-site spas that can accommodate your team. Even if it’s not part of your budget, many hotels will offer a special for your group’s stay. Instead of costly full-body treatments, pamper your squad with more affordable options like a mini-massage, facial, pedicure, sauna or mud bath.

At your meeting or conference, present complimentary sessions of yoga prior to the start. It’s an interactive way to get your crew to loosen up and relieve some tension. Yoga can be insightful, calming, strenuous, stimulating and fun all at the same time. It’s an ideal activity because it can be done by all levels of fitness and age.

Another common choice is a sponsored chair massage during a group event. A chair massage is the perfect way to loosen up after sitting in a chair for too long. They’re so popular, you might want to consider a few chairs if your group is sizable.

For a truly distinctive Colorado experience, make plans for your team to visit one of the 27 hot springs facilities in the state. A hot spring’s waters are warmed by nature and are just as astounding as they are relaxing. Sitting in water that is naturally heated deep by magma or hot rock deep in the Earth.

Some of the state’s best hot springs facilities have lodging and meeting space all under one roof. The hot springs in Glenwood Springs are the state’s newest and largest option for groups who want to incorporate health and wellness into their meeting schedule. Hot springs are a perfect spot to relax and strike up a conversation with colleagues.

Put Health and Wellness on the Agenda

When health and wellness are on the agenda, let Colorado’s natural wonders, craft experiences and active lifestyle fuel the mind, body and spirit for your attendees. Put fitness into your meetings – like a little cardio – and get everyone’s adrenaline pumping. A bit of exercise can stimulate not only your body, but your mind, and put you in the perfect mood for a productive conference.

When it’s time to plan your next conference, incorporate elements of a wellness retreat for a more complete experience. If you have a diverse team of executives or a larger group of employees, take a survey in advance of your trip and discover everyone’s interests. From there, you can craft a schedule that’s chock-full of activities and experiences that everyone loves.

To go all in on wellness, think about planning a business get-together around one of Colorado’s annual fitness events. There are yoga and wellness festivals in Telluride and other great Colorado locations that you can plan around. The state also has an impressive collection of Olympic medalists, world champions and renowned athletes that can share their inspiring stories with you or your group. They may even join in on some of your marvelous activities!