Historians estimate that as many as one-third of Colorado’s early settlers moved to the state for reasons associated with health. Several historic Colorado destinations and landmarks such as The Broadmoor in Colorado Springs and the Colorado Chautauqua in Boulder were originally founded, and are still sought after, as places for wellness retreats and individual healing. Colorado’s outdoors, active lifestyle, fresh air and sunshine continue to appeal to visitors in search of wellness offerings. Here are some of Colorado’s 30 hot springs and wellness focused events. For more information on health and wellness travel in Colorado, visit http://www.colorado.com/articles/transform-mindbody-spirit-colorado.
Hot Springs
• Glenwood Springs. Glenwood Springs is alive with the restorative powers of water; between soaking away aches and pains, relaxing after a hard 9 to 5, and a little soul soothing, magic can happen with the healing waters of the hot springs. Choose from two major hot springs— the historic Glenwood Hot Springs, the world’s largest hot springs pool, and Iron Mountain Hot Springs which offers 16 soaking pools filled with pure, hot mineral water all nestled on the bank of the Colorado River.
• Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort (Nathrop). Located between the towns of Buena Vista and Salida, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort offers 100 percent natural and odorless hot springs ranging from 70 to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. The resort includes a historic bath house, which was established in 1867; Creekside Hot Springs, natural individual pools; Upper hot springs pools that include a 400-foot water slide; and a spa, that is only offered to adults 16 and older.
• Ouray. Ouray is another Colorado town bustling with hot springs offerings. Five local developed hot springs in Ouray and nearby Ridgeway include the Ouray Hot Springs Pool, which recently underwent a $10.6 million renovation, the vapor caves of the Historic Wiesbaden Hot Springs Spa & Lodgings, the pools at the Twin Peaks Lodge & Hot Springs and the naturally landscaped pools at Orivs Hot Springs in Ridgeway.
Wellness Events
• Winter Wellness Weekend at Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa, February 15-18, 2018 (Gateway). Gateway Canyons Resort & Spa hosts the Winter Wellness Weekend to encourage guests to recharge their mind, body and spirit in a beautiful red rock canyon. Weekend festivities include yoga classes, chair massages, classes on homemade scrubs and face masks, healthy cooking demos, wellness speakers and more.
• Women’s Weekend of Wellness at The Broadmoor, March 8-10, 2018 (Colorado Springs). Celebrating its 100-year anniversary, The Broadmoor’s history is rooted in health and wellness. When the luxury resort opened in 1918, it had one of the first spas in the country and was a popular respite for those wanting the dry mountain air to appease their suffering from tuberculosis. In celebration of wellness, The Broadmoor’s 7th annual Women’s Weekend of Wellness will include seminars, inspiring speakers (this year’s keynote is figuring-skating champion Peggy Fleming), plus outdoor activities such as zip-lining, rappelling at the resort’s new Soaring Adventures, fly-fishing and more.
• Telluride WOW Festival, June 7-10, 2018 (Telluride). Situated in a box canyon surrounded by 14,000-foot peaks, Telluride WOW (Weekend of Wellness) Festival focuses on health and fitness and aims to inspire, motivate and educate visitors. The festival offers lectures, group fitness classes, one-on-one sessions by top health and fitness experts and an opportunity to explore all that Telluride has to offer in the summer including hiking, biking, stand-up paddle boarding and more.
• Women in the Rockies Wellness Adventure at C Lazy U Ranch, September 9-18, 2018 (Granby). C Lazy U Ranch is a luxury guest ranch known for its location, spa and limitless activities, which include over 200 well-trained horses. The Women in the Rockies Wellness Adventure takes place at the ranch and is led by Duke health coach Janet Solie, PA, MS with a focus on overall wellness. The adventure offers plenty of time with nature, spa, horses and professional coaching.
• Yoga on the Rocks, 2018 Dates TBD (Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Morrison). Experience a vinyasa flow at 6,450 feet in one of the country’s most iconic, awe-inspiring music venues, Red Rocks Amphitheatre. Surrounded by Colorado red rock with sprawling views of Denver and the plains, visitors can join 2,000 other yogis within the spiritual walls of Red Rocks from 7 to 8 a.m. for eight select Saturdays during the summer.
Image courtesy Colorado Tourism