Colorado Springs History
During Prohibition, prominent businessman Spencer Penrose built a private retreat atop Cheyenne Mountain where he could entertain his friends as they were accustomed, yet out from under the watchful eye of the local police 3,000 feet below in Colorado Springs. En route, Penrose’s friends could visit the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, which he established in 1926 to house his growing collection of exotic animals.
While the zoo is still in existence today, Penrose’s original retreat has gone the way of Prohibition. However, The Broadmoor, built by Penrose in 1918, resurrected the idea of the private retreat and opened its all-inclusive Cloud Camp in 2014 – the 8,500 square foot main lodge sits on the same site as the original building. Six guest rooms in the main lodge and 11 one- and two-bedroom luxuriouslyappointed cabins dot the mountaintop, from which you can take in 360-degree views of Pikes Peak and the surrounding forests, and Colorado Springs below. Fine dining, activities and stargazing from hot tubs round out the exclusive Cloud Camp experience.
Back at The Broadmoor, there’s plenty to keep you occupied on the resort’s 5,000 acres: walk around the tranquil lake, the centerpiece of the resort; play on one of the three award-winning golf courses; indulge in the five-star spa; and dine in any of the resort’s acclaimed restaurants, including Summit with Chef de Cuisine Luis Young, an alumnus of The French Laundry, at the helm. And don’t miss Sunday Brunch in the Lake Terrace Dining Room!
In addition to Cloud Camp, The Broadmoor offers two more exclusive wilderness experiences – The Ranch at Emerald Valley, surrounded by more than 100,000 acres of national forest and just 10 cabins in which to stay; and the private Fly Fishing Camp about 75 minutes west of the resort, set along five miles of the Tarryall River and seven cabins. Of course, all of The Broadmoor’s options include the impeccable service and five-star amenities the resort is known for.
Colorado Fit
With the U.S. Olympic Committee, Olympic Training Center and the forthcoming Olympics Museum and Hall of Fame (opening 2019), it’s no surprise that health and wellness take center stage in Colorado Springs. In fact, the city has been a health and wellness destination since the early 20th century when those afflicted with tuberculosis would travel to the region for its dry air, high altitude and nearly year-round sunshine.
Building upon Colorado Springs’ history of wellness, private club and luxury resort Garden of the Gods Collection opened The International Health and Wellness Center (IHWC) and Spa in June.
The IHWC team of board-certified physicians, respected clinicians and an executive health coaching team work in concert to enable their clients to be proactive in their healthcare, including cardiology, internal medicine, naturopathic medicine, functional neurology, holistic nutrition, energetic medicine, mindfulness practice and physical fitness training.
Likewise, The Spa integrates wellness into its menu of highlypersonalized treatments. In fact, Spa Director Rebecca Johnson works closely with IHWC Medical Director Dr. Michael Barber to develop protocols, programs and training that ensure The Spa is a premier center for ageless health and beauty. One treatment to try: Cleopatra’s Milk & Honey Float, during which you’ll float weightlessly in a Pure Sense Soft Pack bed, cocooned in The Spa’s secret recipe of ultra-rich crèmes, organic honey and nourishing oils.
The Garden of the Gods Collection compliments IHWC and Spa with its incredibly comfortable guest rooms, which all feature fireplaces and private balconies and patios from which to soak in the inspiring views of the Rocky Mountains, Pikes Peak and the National Natural Landmark of the same name. The club and resort’s restaurants serve up delicious meals that are health and wellness conscious, and the onsite fitness center keeps you moving with its machines and group classes.
It’s easy to take your workout outside in Colorado Springs – after all, in a state that boasts 300 days of sunshine, you’ll want to get out there! Right across the street from the resort, Garden of the Gods, with its 300 million years of geological history, has 15 miles of hiking trails, some of which can be used for biking. If you’re an experienced rock climber, or want to learn, grab a permit or join a class and scale
the iconic formations!
More Fun In Colorado
More fun in Colorado Springs is found on The Broadmoor Pikes Peak Cog Railway, which has been taking passengers 14,115 feet to the top of Pikes Peak since 1891, or if you’re really adventurous, you can drive to the top. Another rail outing is the Royal Gorge Route Railroad, a trip that President Teddy Roosevelt described in 1905 as “the trip that bankrupts the English language!” The food onboard is impressive, too.
The truly adventurous will want to walk across the highest suspension bridge in North America at the brand new, reopened Royal Gorge Bridge & Park in Cañon City, or ride the gondola. Even more daring, ride the Cloudscraper Zip Line or Royal Rush Skycoaster. Afterwards, follow Skyline Drive along a razorback ridge from which the landscape falls away hundreds of feet on both sides back into Cañon City. Once there, stop by the Winery at Holy Cross Abbey for a glass of locally-made wine to calm your nerves before driving back to Colorado Springs.
With all there is to see and do, not to mention new non-stop flights from the Tampa Bay area on Frontier Airlines (American, Delta and United also have flights with connections along the way), Colorado Springs is a must-visit destination!
Learn more about Colorado Springs by visiting www.visitcos.com.
By: Susan B. Barnes
