The Broadmoor
A historic luxury hotel and resort at the foot of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Last updated August 21, 2026
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Overview
The Broadmoor is a historic luxury hotel and resort in the Broadmoor neighborhood of Colorado Springs, Colorado. The property occupies a site at the base of Cheyenne Mountain, approximately five miles southwest of downtown Colorado Springs, and is organized around the creek-fed Cheyenne Lake. Its Mediterranean Revival architecture, pink stucco exterior, mountain setting, extensive recreational facilities, and highly formal service have made it one of the best-known resort properties in the western United States. The resort opened in 1918 after businessman Spencer Penrose acquired the property in 1916 and developed it with partners Albert E. Carlton and C. M. MacNeill. Penrose sought to create a grand European-style hotel in the Rocky Mountain region. Warren and Wetmore, architects associated with major American hotels, designed the original buildings, while landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. planned the grounds. Golf architect Donald Ross created the first course, and the resort incorporated a spa, supervised children's activities, fine dining, imported decorative objects, and an English pub dismantled in Britain and reassembled on site. Over time, The Broadmoor expanded beyond conventional lodging. Its facilities have included multiple hotel towers and suites, conference centers, restaurants, retail shops, swimming pools, tennis courts, a full-service spa, equestrian facilities, a heritage museum, and three golf courses associated with Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer. The resort also developed wilderness accommodations, including Cloud Camp on Cheyenne Mountain, the Ranch at Emerald Valley, and a fishing camp near the Lost Creek Wilderness. Its approximately 185,000 square feet of meeting space support a major convention business, which has historically accounted for a substantial share of revenue. The Broadmoor has had a long association with competitive sport. Golf tournaments have been held at the property since the 1920s, and the former Broadmoor Ice Palace and Broadmoor World Arena hosted figure-skating and hockey events, including national championships and world competitions. The original arena was demolished in 1994. The resort later hosted the 2011 U.S. Women's Open and other golf and sporting-clays competitions. Its facilities have also accommodated diplomatic and political gatherings, including a NATO summit in 2003. Ownership and governance changed several times during the twentieth century. The hotel entered receivership during the Great Depression, after which Penrose's El Pomar Investment Company became the owner. Following Penrose's death in 1939, the property passed into the orbit of the El Pomar Foundation. Tax-law changes eventually contributed to the foundation's sale of its controlling interest. The Oklahoma Publishing Company acquired control in the late 1980s, followed by major renovations and expansion. The Anschutz Corporation purchased The Broadmoor in 2011. Since 2016, the resort has been managed by The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company, which also manages Sea Island in Georgia. Today, The Broadmoor operates as an integrated luxury resort combining accommodations, destination dining, meetings and events, golf, wellness, outdoor recreation, museums, retail, and specialized wilderness lodging. It is a member of Historic Hotels of America and has long received high ratings from Forbes and AAA, although specific ratings and their duration can change over time.
History
Spencer Penrose acquired the future resort site in 1916 with Albert E. Carlton and C. M. MacNeill. The partners commissioned Warren and Wetmore to design a grand hotel intended to bring European-style luxury to the Rocky Mountain region. Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. designed the landscape, and Donald Ross planned the first golf course. The Broadmoor opened in 1918 with a Mediterranean Revival design, extensive grounds, fine dining, a spa, and organized recreation. The property developed rapidly during its early decades. A polo field was added in 1928, followed by a riding arena and an airport hangar for guests in 1930. The Great Depression severely reduced business, and the hotel entered receivership in 1932. Penrose's El Pomar Investment Company subsequently acquired the property and became its sole owner. In 1937, Penrose and his wife Julie established the El Pomar Foundation, and after Penrose died in 1939 the hotel and related assets became associated with the foundation. The resort became an important American skating and hockey venue. The Broadmoor Ice Palace opened in 1938 and was renamed the Broadmoor World Arena in 1961. It hosted national figure-skating events, world figure-skating competitions, hockey championships, and other sporting programs. A memorial was later installed at the resort after members of the 1961 U.S. Figure Skating team died in the Sabena Flight 548 crash. Expansion continued after the Second World War. Broadmoor South and the International Center opened in 1961. A second golf course designed by Robert Trent Jones Sr. was added in 1965, and a third course designed by Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer followed in 1976. The resort's ski operation, established in 1959, ultimately closed in 1986 and was operated by outside parties for several years before closing permanently in 1991. Colorado Springs annexed the Broadmoor area in 1980; the annexation was upheld by the Colorado Supreme Court in 1982. The El Pomar Foundation sold its majority interest in the late 1980s in the aftermath of changes associated with the Tax Reform Act of 1969. The Oklahoma Publishing Company gained controlling interest in 1989, after which the resort underwent substantial renovation. The original World Arena was demolished in 1994, and Broadmoor West was built the following year. A renovation reported as costing $75 million was completed between 2000 and 2002. Further development from 2003 to 2008 added retail space, residential units, rooftop tennis courts, underground parking, and improvements to the golf complex. The Anschutz Corporation purchased The Broadmoor in 2011. Since June 2016, management has been provided by The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company. The modern resort includes the main hotel complex, conference venues, multiple restaurants, golf facilities, a spa, pools, tennis courts, shops, the Penrose Heritage Museum, and remote lodging at Cloud Camp, the Ranch at Emerald Valley, and the Fishing Camp. The property remains a major luxury, leisure, and convention destination and is recognized as a Historic Hotel of America.
- 2016
New management company
[1]The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company began managing the resort.
- 2011
Acquisition by The Anschutz Corporation
[1]The Anschutz Corporation purchased the resort.
- 2003
NATO summit
[1]The resort hosted an international NATO summit.
- 1994
Original World Arena is demolished
[1]The historic arena was demolished and later replaced by Broadmoor West development.
- 1989
Oklahoma Publishing Company gains control
[1]The Oklahoma Publishing Company acquired controlling interest and initiated a new period of investment.
- 1980
Broadmoor area annexed by Colorado Springs
[1]The resort area became part of Colorado Springs; the annexation was upheld in 1982.
- 1961
Broadmoor South and International Center open
[1]Major additions expanded the resort's accommodations and convention capacity.
- 1938
Ice Palace opens
[1]The Broadmoor Ice Palace opened and later became the Broadmoor World Arena.
- 1932
Receivership during the Great Depression
[1]A decline in hotel business led to receivership before Penrose's investment company took ownership.
- 1921
First Broadmoor Invitation golf tournament
[1]The Broadmoor began its long history of hosting significant golf competitions.
Products and positioning
Ultra-luxury destination resort combining historic European-inspired hospitality, Rocky Mountain recreation, championship golf, wellness, and large-scale conferences.
Luxury accommodation · 1918
The Broadmoor Resort Hotel
The central resort complex provides luxury guest rooms and suites arranged around Cheyenne Lake. The property includes Broadmoor Main, Broadmoor South, Broadmoor West, Lakeside Suites, and West Tower, together offering hundreds of rooms in a historic mountain setting.
Golf · 1918
Broadmoor Golf Club
Broadmoor Golf Club operates three courses associated with Donald Ross, Robert Trent Jones Sr., and Ed Seay and Arnold Palmer. The club has hosted major competitions, including the U.S. Women's Open, and is a central component of the resort's sports positioning.
Spa and wellness
The Broadmoor Spa
The full-service spa includes treatment rooms, an indoor pool, fitness facilities, relaxation areas, and hair and nail services. It extends the resort's positioning from luxury lodging into destination wellness.
Wilderness lodging
Cloud Camp
Cloud Camp is a high-elevation wilderness retreat on Cheyenne Mountain. It originated as Cheyenne Lodge, established by Spencer Penrose, and offers a more remote lodging experience than the main resort.
Wilderness lodging
Ranch at Emerald Valley
The Ranch at Emerald Valley is a private luxury lodge and cabin property on the back side of Cheyenne Mountain. Its facilities include lodging, lakes, stables, hot tubs, a gazebo, and an outdoor fire area.
Museum
Penrose Heritage Museum
The Penrose Heritage Museum, formerly the El Pomar Carriage House Museum, presents historic carriages and automobiles associated with the region and with the Pikes Peak Auto Hill Climb.
Meetings and conventions
Conference and Events
The resort has extensive meeting and event facilities, including approximately 185,000 square feet of meeting space. Conventions and high-level gatherings are a major part of its operating model.
Brand decisions
2016
Management transferred to The Broadmoor-Sea Island CompanyStrategyBackground
The Anschutz Corporation also owns interests connected with Sea Island, a private resort in Georgia.
Action taken
The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company began managing The Broadmoor.
Aftermath
The resort continued operating as part of an ownership and management structure linking two independently located luxury resorts.
2011
Acquisition by The Anschutz CorporationM&ABackground
The Broadmoor changed ownership after earlier control by the El Pomar Foundation and the Oklahoma Publishing Company.
Action taken
The Anschutz Corporation purchased the resort.
Aftermath
The property remained an operating luxury resort and later became managed by The Broadmoor-Sea Island Company.
Recent events
The Broadmoor acquires El Pomar Foundation headquarters at 10 Lake Circle[2]
Reported:
The Broadmoor hotel and resort completed the purchase of the El Pomar Foundation's nearly 70-year-old headquarters and surrounding land at 10 Lake Circle in Colorado Springs. Terms were not disclosed; the property's assessed market value is $3.65 million. El Pomar staff will remain in the building until next summer.
Sources3 sources
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