Booking.com surveyed more than 30,000 travelers across 32 countries and territories in 2022 to examine the trends shaping sustainable travel. Travelers confirmed that sustainable travel is important to them (81%), with half of all respondents (50%) citing that recent news about climate change has influenced them to make more sustainable travel choices.
More specifically, 71% of global travelers indicated that they want to travel more sustainably in the next year, which represents a 10% increase over 2021. In fact, 70% of global travelers say they would be more likely to choose a sustainable accommodation, whether they were looking specifically for one or not.
Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge has a history of environmental advocacy and has been recognized with a TripAdvisor Green Leaders award for its environmental practices. In addition to harnessing geothermal heat sources at the Lodge and other facilities, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has long adopted practices that result in a cleaner, healthier environment for both visitors and locals in Glenwood Springs, Colorado.
Utilizing Mother Nature’s heat source
While some properties and resorts are transforming operations, renovating spaces and building structures to accommodate this rapidly shifting traveler mindset, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort has been setting the standard for stewardship and utilizing geothermal energy from the on-site natural hot spring, Yampah Spring, for decades to reduce energy consumption and lessen its carbon footprint.
Yampah Spring is located to the east of the historic bathhouse and is especially easy to spot on winter days. Look for the low-lying clouds of white steam emanating from this turquoise blue pool that is fenced-in for safety, as Yampah Spring runs at a steady temperature of 122°F (51°C). Prolific and reliable, the spring produces 3.5 million gallons of water per day that is cooled down to between 90 to 93°F (34°C) for the large pool and about 104°F (40°C) for the Therapy Pool, ideal ranges for swimming and soaking.
This prime hot water source does more than fill pools for soaking, even though that has been a major highlight since the resort opened in 1888. The historic bathhouse has been heated using the source spring’s geothermal output since the 1970s. When the 107-room Glenwood Hot Springs Lodge opened in 1986, it was the first hotel in Colorado to be heated entirely by clean, renewable geothermal sources courtesy of heat exchangers submerged in the Yampah Spring.
Geothermal systems also preheat domestic water supplies by warming incoming city water from 50°F (10°C) to approximately 105°F (41°C) for the on-site laundry facility, showers, Athletic Club and more. To fine tune temperatures, traditional sources heat the water the rest of the way.
Have you ever noticed that even on the snowiest days, the deck and sidewalks at the world’s largest hot springs pool remain flake-free? During winter months, hot spring water flows through a gravity-fed system installed beneath the pool deck, where it heats up the concrete surface enough to keep snow from accumulating. It’s a nice slip-free feature, and guests also appreciate the fact that their feet don’t get that cold tingly feeling on the short walk between the pools and newly renovated bathhouse locker rooms.
Except for parking lots, you’ll rarely see maintenance personnel at Glenwood Hot Springs Resort moving snow, which saves manpower, fuel and equipment and lessens impact on the environment.
Additional eco-friendly initiatives
In the spirit of sustainability, Glenwood Hot Springs Resort also offers guests electric vehicle (EV) charging stations in Lot W, located west of the pool under Grand Avenue Bridge. There are four Level 2 charging stations available via ChargePoint.
Free EV charging for up to up to four hours is available for Lodge guests through EV access cards available at the registration desk. Day visitors, pool pass holders and Athletic Club members also are welcome to use the charging stations.
In addition, the resort has replaced incandescent light fixtures property-wide with LED bulbs, swapped aging appliances and air conditioners for more efficient models, implemented a towel recycling program at the Lodge, and pursued low-chemical gardening techniques in landscaping and ground maintenance.
Green energy community wide
On June 1, 2019, the City of Glenwood Springs officially made the switch to clean-energy electricity, using 100 percent wind-generated power. The move puts Glenwood Springs in an elite group of eco-conscious cities and at the time made it the second city in Colorado and the seventh in the nation to be completely powered by wind, solar or hydro sources. As a result, any electricity purchased by Glenwood Hot Springs Resort is from renewably sourced energy.
Being a good environmental steward is an integral part of the identity of Glenwood Hot Springs Resort, which continues to implement and advocate for green initiatives and best practices. While the natural hot springs water goes to work making guests feel fantastic, it also excels at keeping the property one of the most sustainable Colorado resort destinations.