Polo Returns to Glenwood Springs for 6th Annual Devereux Polo Cup
at the Hotel Colorado

Glenwood Springs, CO -
July 31, 2009

On August 29th and 30th, the historic Hotel Colorado will host the annual Devereux Polo Cup event, continuing a time-honored tradition in Glenwood Springs. The Hotel is offering a $119 room rate Friday night! Additionally the hotel is offering a Devereux Polo Cup package starting at $149 which includes an overnight stay and entry to the Match and the "Meet the Players" Gala event. Double occupancy is $179 with package included. Please call 303-952-4015 to make your reservation.

To kick off the weekend, guests are invited to the "Meet the Players" Reception at 6:00 pm on Saturday, August 29th. The event is only $30.00 to attend and includes live music, hors d'oeuvres, and a silent auction to benefit the Childhelp River Bridge Center, a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect. The night will conclude with a presentation of the Devereux Cup to the Hotel for its custodianship. The Cup is named after Walter Devereux, the founder of Hotel Colorado and the reason Polo found its way to the Grand Valley in the 1900's.

The main festivities will take place from 11:00-2:00 pm on Sunday, August 30th with the polo finals at Stout Ranch (Take the New Castle exit, and then follow the signs to 2000 Baldy Creek). All matches are open to the public and free for all.

During the half-time of the final match, spectators will be invited to come onto the field for a polo traditon, called "divot stomping," which entails stomping down the mounds of earth that are torn up by the horses' hooves. Always a popular time of the game, this year's divot stomping will include a special surprise for attendees, which will remain a secret until the actual event.

Following the event, a trophy presentation will be held at the Club for the tournament winners whom will have their names inscribed on the Devereux Cup. The Cup will be on display at the Hotel Colorado.

Thanks to growing interest in polo, the Hotel has been able to expand the event this year by adding a fundraising component on Saturday evening and bolstering the main event activities. Attendees can expect quite a show if they decide to be part of this history-rich event.

About Polo in Glenwood:

Polo arrived in Glenwood Springs in the 1890's when Walter Devereux and Hervey Lyle, both championship players, formed the Glenwood Polo and Racing Association. Upon completeion of the Hotel Colorado in 1893, the Hotel built its own polo grounds for the use of the guests. According to Hotel Colorado, Fountains of Enchantment, "The Hotel constructed Glenwood's polo grounds and race course to the "south of town" and quickly gained a fine national reputation by hosting teams that had attained a world class standing." The Glenwood Springs team was World Champion in 1903, 1904 and 1912.



For more information contact:
Lu Stasko 720/404-4507
970-945-6511 x 117

Hotel Colorado is located in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, just off I-70, and a short drive from some of Colorado’s favorite destinations: Aspen (45 miles), Vail (65 miles), and Grand Junction (90 miles). The hotel has been a western landmark and destination for over 100 years, and recently underwent a multi-million dollar makeover of guestrooms, public areas and hallways, ballrooms, and the West Tower Bell Suite (dedicated as the Molly Brown Suite in 2003). Providence Hospitality Partners, LLC (Denver, Colo.) has managed the Hotel Colorado for several years and was instrumental in planning and completing the recently completed showcase restoration projects.