A new hotel in Denver makes for a ski stopover with both eco-cred and stylish pizzazz.
One of Colorado’s most dazzling Aspen groves is found in the most unlikely of places: downtown Denver. Recently opened, the Populus Hotel recreates the experience of travelling from forest floor upwards through a tree canopy through its 13 storeys. The striking aspen-bark-inspired exterior isn’t just for oohs and aahs. Boundary-pushing architecture paired with smart sustainability initiatives help style Populus – named for the Aspen tree, populus tremuloides – as America’s first carbon-positive hotel, removing more carbon dioxide from the air than it emits.
Award-winning architecture firm Studio Gang looked to nature as muse. Gaudí-esque windows on the exterior evoke the dark eye-shaped marks left behind on the bark as aspens shed their lower branches. Look closely, a subtle hood provides shade while deflecting rainwater, reducing energy needs. Floors are covered in either low-carbon concrete or biodegradable carpet. Perennial trees and flowers on the energy-saving green roof are a magnet for pollinators.
Jeanne Gang, Chicago-based founder of Studio Gang, did her research during hours spent hiking Colorado’s alpine landscapes. The result is a hotel stay that transports urbanites to the great outdoors. An earthy, forest aroma greets guests at the door. It emanates from an eye-catching ceiling tapestry crafted from some 500 sheets of reishi, an eco-friendly leather alternative derived from the root structures of mushrooms. Reclaimed wood appears at every turn, from old snow fencing on the lobby ceiling to the reception desk made from Rio Grande cottonwood.
An elevator ride is accompanied by a wildlife soundtrack recorded over a year-long period in Rocky Mountain National Park. Depending on the season, an elk may bugle (fall) or a mountain bluebird chirrup (summer). Each of the 265 earth-toned guest rooms and suites has eco-friendly amenities, including drinking glasses made from recycled wine bottles and Grown Alchemist bath products. And with a location at the crossroads of the Golden Triangle and Capitol Hill, the hotel windows frame some of Denver’s most iconic landmarks, including the State Capital and City Hall. In a clear day, you can look out to the snow-dusted Rockies.
Populus’s two restaurants – lobby-level Pasque and rooftop Stellar Jay – adopt a progressive table-to-farm philosophy and the food is a standout. The open-flame-cooked dishes at Stellar Jay are a master class in rustic mountain, like bison and venison skewers smoked over pine needles with a juniper glaze. Pasque’s menu feels a touch more refined, with a succinct offering of vegetarian starters, such as savory beignet of spinach, artichoke, Fontina, Espelette pepper, and honey. Mains include rye tagliatelle dressed in a Colorado lamb ragu spiked with feta and mint. Though it’s hard to leave even a bite behind, any food scraps are composted in the on-site biodigester and sent to local farms. Both the lobby and rooftop bars draw a mix of guests and locals with creative, seasonal libations such as Milk Punch Vol. 1 – a mix of SNOW tequila, strawberry, lemongrass, cream, and lemon.
For the perfect post-ski layover ahead of a flight, there’s a co-working space, fitness center, and an outpost of Denver’s beloved coffee roasters, Little Owl. A stay also protects against weather or traffic delays on the journey from airport to mountain. Your wooden key fob is the ultimate souvenir – the biodegradable sleeve contains wildflower seeds to plant back home, a colorful reminder that the mountains are calling.
