Denver is About to Get The Nation’s “First Carbon Positive” Hotel. It’s Inspired by Aspen Trees.

Article Summary:

• Populus hotel aims to be the nation’s first “carbon positive” hotel, meaning on net it will remove more carbon dioxide from the air than it emits.  
• The hotel says it achieves this in part by planting 70,000 new trees in Gunnison County, Colorado.
• With a design inspired by Colorado’s native aspen trees, Populus evokes the feeling of walking through a forest through multi-sensory art and design elements.   
• The hotel is slated to open this summer in downtown Denver, with a location at Colfax and 14th Street opposite the Denver City and County Building.

Eco-conscious travelers to Denver have a new option to reduce the carbon footprint of their trip – all while traveling in style. 

A new hotel, Populus, will soon expand downtown Denver’s hotel selection this summer and aims to set a new precedent for sustainable travel. 

Its eco-conscious architecture and interior design are complemented by strategic partnerships which will offset its developmental and operational carbon emissions. 

Already, its collaboration with the non-profit One Tree Planted vis-a-vis the United States Forest Service has resulted in 70,000 new trees in Gunnison County, Colorado. 

Other initiatives with forest and agricultural organizations will help sequester more carbon than Populus will emit during its lifecycle. 

“We are very proud of our commitment to make Populus the first carbon positive hotel in the country,” said Jon Buerge, president of real estate development firm Urban Villages.

To minimize its footprint, developer Urban Villages and manager Aparium Hotel Group have partnered with like-minded businesses, including architectural and interior design firm Wildman Chalmers Design. 

The award-winning studio emphasizes sustainability, as well as curated guests’ experiences. Naturally, its latest project in Denver pulls inspiration from the nearby Rocky Mountain landscape — specifically aspens, which are prolific in Colorado’s forests. 

Scientifically referred to as populus tremuloides, these trees turn vibrant shades of yellow and orange in the autumn. They’re also known for their thin leaves, which flutter in the wind and cast shifting shadows, as well as the dark eye-like spots on their white trunks.  

“We approached Populus’ design vision from an experience standpoint first — thoughtfully curating colors, textures, and shapes that not only look beautiful, but appeal to all of the senses and emotions, just as a walk through the forest would,” said Heather Wildman, principal and design director of Wildman Chalmers Design. 

To build on its sensory experience, Populus will feature art curated by Colorado-based artist and environmentalist Katherine Homes. Selected pieces will demonstrate sounds and even smells associated with the outdoors. 

Wildman’s written statement continued, “By taking cues from nature and partnering with local artisans, we hope to create a strong connection between the design of Populus and the earth and its surroundings. The result will be a hospitality experience that’s warm, welcoming, and uniquely Colorado.”

Here’s What to Expect Inside Populus

Ground Level: The Forest Floor 

Populus hopes to transport guests to an aspen grove immediately upon entry. Its double-height lobby will feature windows of varying heights, each shaped like the eyes seen on aspen trunks. 

Directly above the main doors will hang The Reishi Tapestry. This large sculpture is crafted from nearly 500 sheets of Reishi, a sustainable leather alternative made from the root structure of mushrooms. The art installation will double as a light source, adding a warm glow and even a forest-like scent to the lobby. 

A coffee bar with countertop seating and a walk-up window will appear on the right. To the left, guests will find an all-day bar and restaurant, which will add to the city’s impressive dining scene.

A wood-shingled wall made from repurposed beetle kill trees will backdrop the reception area. Reclaimed wood also appears on the ceiling, complementing the exposed aggregate seen in the lobby’s brown-stained concrete floor. 

Populus was constructed with ECOPact concrete, which offers a minimum of 30% lower carbon emissions than standard concrete. 

“At Urban Villages, our metric for success is not just the projects we build; it’s measured by how well we’re stewarding the real estate industry towards a greener future,” said Urban Villages co-founder and CEO Grant McCargo in a recent press release.  

He further commented, “By showcasing how projects can use creative solutions like low-carbon concrete to reduce carbon emissions, we’re laying the groundwork for other developers to replicate and help leave our planet in a better place.”

Second Floor: The Understory

The second level of Populus is inspired by the understory of a forest. In nature, this is where seedings, shrubs, and tree saplings appear just above the forest floor. 

Here, guests can enjoy a variety of public meeting spaces, which can also be reserved for private events. The neutral color scheme will be complemented by pops of copper, mossy greens, and oceanic blues. 

This earth-inspired palette will be seen in artwork, as well as consciously sourced furnishings — many of which were custom created by interior design firm Fowler. 

Guest Room Levels: The Trunk and Branches

The core of the building symbolizes the trunk of a tree. Its dark, quiet ambiance will juxtapose the connected 265 guest rooms, each of which will be flooded with natural light. 

Aspen eye-shaped windows will offer stellar views of the city and the Rocky Mountain foothills. In several rooms, the windows extend into a curved, cushioned bench. Seated here, the experience is akin to lounging in a hammock outdoors. 

Guests will also hear the sounds of nature while moving between floors. Inside the elevator, local bird songs will vary by time and season, mimicking the real-time chirps one would notice in a nearby forest. The unique installation was created by Colorado-based conservationist Jacob Job, who recorded the bird songs in Rocky Mountain National Park.

“In curating Populus’ art collection, we were committed to ensuring that every piece selected has a meaningful story that connects guests both with the local culture and with the natural surroundings,” said Homes.

In a statement to Travel Lemming, she added, “The more you connect with nature, the more you understand it and want to preserve it. Our hope is that Populus helps give a voice to the wild and inspires people to spend time outdoors with a renewed appreciation for the earth.” 

Rooftop: The Canopy

The celebration of nature continues on the “canopy”, which appears on the 13th floor. Here, visitors can dine at Populus’ rooftop restaurant, outdoor bar, and private dining room. 

This level also features a series of hospitality suites with mountain views, as well as a garden terrace. It’s complete with lush landscaping and an upper-level deck, offering unobstructed views of city highlights including the gold-domed Colorado State Capitol and Civic Center Park.

“The hotel’s nature-forward design and art program bring the great outdoors directly into the thriving urban center of Denver, offering guests and locals the best of the Mountain West in a memorable, inspiring way,” said Aparium Hotel Group founder and CEO Mario Tricoci. 

He concludes, “Populus’ exceptional interiors, coupled with our considerate approach to programming, will ensure that it is a must-visit destination for 2024 and many years to come.”

You can learn more at the Populus website. You can also plan your visit to Denver with Travel Lemming’s guide to where to stay in the city.

(Featured Image Credit: Studio Gang)