America’s first “carbon-positive” hotel is now open in downtown Denver.
Called Populus, the urban property features 265 guest rooms, flexible meet and event spaces, two restaurants and more.
The hotel was developed by Urban Villages and is being managed by Aparium Hotel Group. Its striking exterior aesthetic—inspired by the trunk of an aspen tree—was designed by Studio Gang. The interiors were designed by Wildman Chalmers Design in partnership with Fowler Architecture and Design, while Colorado-based artist and environmental activist Katherine Homes curated the art collection.
Populus is “a place where the best of design, sustainability, culinary, service and community converge under one stylish roof,” says Mario Tricoci, founder and chief executive officer of Aparium Hotel Group.
“Populus is not just a destination; it’s a reflection of Denver’s vibrant energy, a way for travelers to connect more deeply and more authentically with nature, and a symbol of what the future of travel can and should look like,” he adds.
Green Features
The eco-conscious hotel is green—literally. Populus has an on-site roof garden filled with trees, shrubs and plants that help keep the building cool in the sun. The garden was designed by Denver-based landscape architecture firm Superbloom.
The hotel also plants a tree for every night’s stay through the One Night, One Tree program, in partnership with the National Forest Foundation.
The structure itself was built with an array of sustainable design and construction techniques, including low-carbon concrete and an insulated façade system. Populus also acquired 7,000 tons of certified carbon offset credits.
Moving forward, the hotel continues to offset its carbon footprint through a hands-on tree planting and reforestation effort in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies. For example, the hotel and partner organization One Tree Planted planted more than 70,000 trees across more than 172 acres affected by pine beetles in Gunnison County in 2022.
The hotel is committed to offsetting its operational carbon footprint by partnering with local farms, using renewable electricity, composting its food waste using an onsite biodigester from BioGreen360 and more.
“The opening of Populus marks an incredibly significant milestone and represents a new model of environmentally conscious hospitality that will forever change the guest experience for mindful travelers, while adding vibrancy to the city of Denver,” says Jon Buerge, president of Urban Villages. “We are excited to watch Populus come to life as the center of a thriving community, becoming everything from the new neighborhood hotspot to a must-visit hotel destination, all while inspiring the industry to rethink how hotels can prioritize the health of the planet in a positive, engaging and meaningful way.”
Design and Art
The hotel’s interior design features warm colors, natural materials and undulating forms; it also incorporates recycled materials wherever possible. The wood slats in the lobby ceiling, for instance, are made of reclaimed wood snow fencing from Wyoming, while the carpet in the guest rooms is made from recycled materials that biodegrade in the landfill. Many of the hotel’s headboards were made from beetle-kill pine.
The art collection includes a commissioned painting by Cheyenne and Arapaho artist Brent Learned, local bird songs in the elevators recorded by artist Jacob Job in Rocky Mountain National Park, and pressed wildflowers in every room.
“Our team has poured their passion into every detail of Populus, ensuring that our mission to protect the environment seamlessly enhances the guest experience,” says George Prine, general manager of Populus. “We are confident that everyone, whether traveling for work or pleasure, joining us for lunch or dinner, or enjoying Friday night drinks on the rooftop, will leave Populus feeling inspired, delighted, and connected.”
Eating and Drinking
Populus has two onsite restaurants, both helmed by Ian Wortham (executive chef) and Curtis Landrum (food and beverage director).
Pasque is an all-day eatery with seasonal fare located on the “forest floor” of the hotel. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Pasque emphasizes plant-based ingredients, as well as a selection of meat and fish. It’s named after the pasque wildflower, one of the first blooms to emerge each spring in the high country.
Stellar Jay is a rooftop restaurant, bar and outdoor terrace featuring live-fire cuisine and cocktails. While enjoying views of the Denver skyline and the mountains, guests can feast on wild game, fresh seafood and seasonal produce. It’s named after the Steller’s jay, the bold, dark blue, mohawk-wearing bird that inhabits the Rockies.
Reservations can be made for both eateries on OpenTable.
For a pick-me-up, travelers can visit the Little Owl coffee bar on the first floor. It features grab-and-go breakfast items, as well as espresso drinks.
“Both Pasque and Stellar Jay thoughtfully embody Populus’ reverence for nature through food, since cooking and eating are truly one of the first meaningful interactions that humans have had with nature since the dawn of time,” says Wortham. “Our menus celebrate the earth’s bounty, spotlighting the best possible ingredients in synergy with the seasons to let the ingredients do the talking. Through our farm partners, we’ve seen firsthand the care that goes into nurturing such plentiful fruits, vegetables and livestock, and we’re excited to share these dishes—and the stories behind them—with the public.”
