Places & Spaces

by Joanne Davidson

Spectacular Settings

From meadows to mountain resorts, airplane hangars to performing arts venues, there’s a location suited to every gathering

Selecting the perfect venue for your special event isn’t a decision to be made lightly, and it’s often a difficult decision because so many elements come into play. For example: Is there sufficient parking? Is the site wheelchair-accessible? Does the rental fee include tables, chairs, linens, cutlery and china or must they be procured separately?

Colorado abounds with spectacular settings. There are deluxe hotels (Aspen’s Hotel Jerome, 970-920-1000; The Lodge at Vail, 888-328-1005); beautifully restored historic properties, mountain meadows and even a former airplane hangar.

 

Some to consider include:

AEG Presents

When there isn’t a concert scheduled, 1st Bank Center, the Bluebird, Gothic and Ogden theaters and Fiddler’s Green Amphitheater can be booked for weddings, networking events, new product launches and corporate conferences. 1st Bank Center can hold up to 6,500 people; the Bluebird, 500, for example.

aegpresents.com

jerobinson@aegpresents.com

720-931-8713

ATC DEN Gallery & Event Space

Located at 3420 Larimer St. in Denver’s RiNo neighborhood, the garage doors at this sleek, 2,350-square-foot gallery open to an outdoor patio. Features at the ADA-compliant space include an on-site event planner, state-of-the-art sound system and catering kitchen.

757-613-3503

atcden.com

claire@amongthecolors.com

 

Country Club of the Rockies

The wraparound terrace at the club’s Vista Restaurant, with its sweeping views of the golf course fairways and Rocky Mountains, is a popular site for birthday parties, cocktail receptions, weddings and family gatherings. The restaurant has earned six consecutive awards of excellence from the Wine Spectator. An event planner and valet parking are included.

676 Sawatch Dr.

Edwards, CO 81632

970-926-2111

countrycluboftherockies.com

 

The Hangar at Stanley

Tall white walls and steel beams once used to lift aircraft put a unique touch on this space at the Stanley Marketplace, 2501 Dallas St., Aurora. It can be configured to accommodate groups ranging from 10 to 2,000. There’s WiFi, a fully-equipped catering kitchen and an outdoor patio.

720-588-2500

stanleymarketplace.com

Ironworks

Situated across the parking lot from Mile High Station, 2027 W. Colfax Ave., Ironworks was built in 1903 as the office for 100 draftsmen for Midwest Steel and Ironworks. It sat vacant for decades before being meticulously restored for events accommodating 50 to 350 people. There’s exposed brick, a grand staircase, sparkling chandeliers and a VIP room.

720-946-7721

ironworksdenver.co

stephanie@pouringiton.com

 

Moss Denver

This urban industrial wedding and event venue at 200 N. Santa Fe Drive in Denver’s Santa Fe Art District has exposed rafters, a polished cement floor, large factory-style windows, waterfall bar and a moss wall that rotates. Rental fees range from $4,000 to $8,000.

303-534-5403

mossdenver.com

info@mossdenver.com

 

To paraphrase an insurance company’s TV commercial, Joanne Davidson knows a thing or two about event venues because she’s seen a thing or two… during her 30 years of covering special events for The Denver Post.