NORTHERN COLORADO
BoulderColoradoUSA.com; @VisitBoulder—Nestled at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, just 45 minutes from Denver International Airport (DEN), is Boulder, a city with a thriving mix of urban amenities and outdoor adventure. “Boulder is the place where meetings get fun, get innovative, and get outdoors,” says Fig Wirkler, director of sales for Visit Boulder, the convention and visitors bureau for Boulder. “Visit Boulder is here to help your group discover the best of this place known for outdoor adventure, tech startups, food, craft beer, and happiness.”
A number of venues in Boulder can accommodate meetings and conferences of all sizes. Hiltons on Canyon’s largest space is 6,600 square feet, and it also provides 376 guest rooms. The 201-guest room St. Julien Hotel and Spa’s largest space is 4,000 square feet. Hotel Boulderado offers 2,867 square feet of meeting space and 201 guest rooms. Additionally, Boulder Marriott provides 2,500 square feet of meeting space and 165 guest rooms. For an even more authentic mountain feel, Colorado Chautauqua offers 1,775 square feet of meeting space and 80 eclectic cabins at the base of the Flatirons.
Currently, Boulder has a total capacity of 2,633 guest rooms, but that number will increase with the completion of two new construction projects at University Avenue and Broadway Street, designed to revitalize the University Hill district. Moxy Boulder, which opened earlier this year, features 189 guest rooms, 5,636 total square feet of event space, including five event rooms and four breakout rooms. Limelight Hotel and Conference Center, scheduled to open in 2025, will offer 250 rooms and 25,000 square feet of meeting space, including a 15,000-square-foot ballroom.
There are a variety of excursions and activities for groups to enjoy time together and experience the best of Boulder—from rock climbing and brewery yoga to volunteer activities and hot-air balloon flights. Colorado Chautauqua hosts retreats and unique activities for groups centered around activities like forest bathing, guided hikes, and mandala making. “These are activities you cannot find anywhere else,” Wirkler says.
Groups can explore Boulder through its abundance of e-bike tours, which offer tours based on all skill and ability levels. For groups looking to build their own adventure, Colorado Wilderness Rides and Guides creates custom experiences for practically any outdoor activity in Boulder, including corporate bonding activities tailor made to each group.
While outdoor adventure may reign supreme, Boulder offers can’t-miss craft beer and culinary hot spots as well. Boulder is home to nearly 20 breweries, many of which originated within the city, as well as a dining scene featuring nine restaurants included in Colorado’s MICHELIN Guide. Adding to the appeal of Boulder cuisine is the farm-to-table approach. “More than 1,000 farms are in Boulder County, and many local restaurants use this local produce in their cuisine,” Wirkler says.
For meeting and event attendees looking to extend their stay as a family vacation, Boulder offers a number of attractions and activities for all ages. CU Museum of Natural History houses dinosaur fossils and interactive exhibits, including one of the world’s most-advanced projection systems in its planetarium. Museum of Boulder lets kids and adults alike get hands-on with its creative exhibits, and visitors can learn about the weather at National Center for Atmospheric Research. Gateway Park Fun Center offers mini golf, arcade games, go-karting, a human maze, and batting cages. In addition, Pearl Street Mall is the local go-to for shopping.
Boulder’s public transportation system makes it easy for visitors to travel throughout the city—essentially eliminating the need for a vehicle, Wirkler says. BCycle e-bike service has more than 50 stations throughout Boulder, and HOP bus system stops at many local attractions on its run throughout the city.
“We are proud of our work to promote sustainable meetings in Boulder,” Wirkler says. “We have a deep connection to the land and consider ourselves stewards of this space. We promote a variety of ways to make your meeting ‘green’ and align with the values we hold dear here.”
