Holiday Magic

200,000 Sparkles!

Glenwood Springs, CO… Prior to each Christmas season, volunteers spend hundreds of hours designing and creating an enchanting wonderland that resonates through the halls of the Hotel Colorado.  Thousands of lights are placed in and around the Hotel.  Decorated trees and themed, animated scenes fill each corner of the main floor.  Outdoors, larger-than-life wire framed characters illuminate the Hotel’s courtyard and rooftops.

The holiday festivities include a yearly courtyard lighting ceremony with complimentary hot beverages and cookies.  Roving carolers in Victorian garb sing traditional holiday hymns.  A special guest of honor leads the countdown to flip the switch to turn on the sparkling light display. Then fireworks fill the sky to announce the official start of the holiday season.  Santa Claus sits on his red velvet throne listening to children’s wishes.  Artisans fill the Roosevelt Room selling handmade crafts and original art works.

A Victorian Teddy Bear Giving Tree is placed in the center of the lobby as a sign of the Hotel’s good will.  Donations from guests, locals and Hotel staff provide Teddy Bears that are placed on the tree.  The bears and financial contributions are ultimately delivered to needy children.

The Hotel Colorado uses over 2000 strands of lights which equates to 200,000 bulbs and over 4.5 miles of wire.  The Lighting Ceremony takes place the Friday after Thanksgiving every year.