CONFERENCE VENUES FIT FOR THE FAMILY.

• Author: Siebrase, Jamie
• Position: STATE OF THE STATE - Conference news

It's tricky juggling work and life, but tacking family time onto business trips can help your staff find some much-needed balance. Here's a look at Colorado venues specializing in family-friendly conferences and retreats.

GREAT WOLF LODGE

9494 Federal Drive Colorado Springs (719) 284-5100

greatwolf.com/colorado-springs

One word: Waterpark! While employees get down to business in one of the spacious boardrooms at Great Wolf Lodge Colorado Springs, family members can splash around a massive 50,000-square-foot aquatics center and explore a 20,000-square-foot indoor entertainment complex. The organic, farm-to-fork food at Barnwood is one of nine casual dining options.

LOST VALLEY RANCH

29555 Goose Creek Road (Sedalia) (303) 647-2311

lostvalleyranch.com

Overlooking the Pike National Forest, Lost Valley Ranch is a guest ranch specializing in outside-the-box corporate events for up to 70 attendees. Comfortable cabins and home-cooked meals are paired with authentic Western activities the whole family will love: horseback riding, guided hikes, trap shooting tournaments and fishing. Lost Valley Ranch's event planning team works with businesses to plan customized and all-inclusive retreats in the spring and fall seasons.

GATEWAY CANYONS

43200 Colorado 141 (Gateway) (303) 956-4897

gatewaycanyons.com

At Gateway Canyons, service, ambiance and cuisine come together to create a truly unforgettable corporate event. In addition to being a one-stop shop for adventure-themed team-building activities, this property also offers 8,778 square feet of state-of-the-art meeting space, including an HD theater with stadium seating and an outdoor amphitheater. But it's the non-business perks that really stand out: three top-notch dining venues, premium suites, stables, adventure trails and a really cool auto museum.

BELLA VISTA ESTATE

31095 E. US Hwy. 40 (Steamboat Springs) (970) 879-4449

bellavistasteamboat.com

It's serenity that makes Bella Vista a perfect setting for a corporate retreat keyed to nature and wellness. This private property has one large meeting space for up to 28 people plus several smaller seating areas conducive to productive breakout sessions. Employees balance time in the boardroom with team-building activities and family-friendly amenities including snowshoeing, swimming, tennis, basketball and arcade and lawn...