Metro Moves: Populus hotel opens this week

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Downtown Denver ‘carbon positive’ Populus hotel opens this week

The long-awaited hotel inspired by Colorado’s aspen trees is ready to open its archway doors to downtown Denver.

The Populus hotel debuts Tuesday at 240 14th Street, aiming to be the first “carbon-positive” hotel in the U.S. The opening date was pushed back from Sept. 18.

The hotel was developed by Denver-based real estate developer Urban Villages and designed by Studio Gang led by acclaimed architect Jeanne Gang. Populus has a “biophilic” design — a rising architectural style evoking inspiration from nature — with its aspen tree stalks and arch-shaped windows representing scars typically found on the bark.

The windows have curved overhangs offering shade to lower cooling cost and move rainwater to wash the walls of the building.

The building will also house two dining businesses: Pasque and Stellar Jay.

The original concepts will have food inspired by Colorado’s natural resources, in line with the hotel’s theme. Stellar Jay, the rooftop restaurant and bar, will offer wild game over live-fire cooking over views of Capitol Hill and downtown.

The hotel plans to plant a tree for every overnight stay.

It has 265 rooms within its 13-stories, as well as meeting and event spaces.

Another hotel opening in Capitol Hill this weekend

Urban Cowboy Hotel — a boutique hotel in the Capitol Hill neighborhood — is set to debut Friday, Oct. 19.

The hotel will open within the former 1880s-era George Schleier Mansion located on 1665 Grant St. The two-story carriage house was acquired by Cleveland-based GBX Group in 2018, which worked with Historic Denver to ensure its historic exterior remained protected.

The building is on the National Register of Historic Places due to its architectural contributions to Denver — from its onion tower to staircase carvings of gargoyles and Bavarian swans. It also holds significance for its namesake, a hat manufacturer who played a prominent role in the development of early Denver.

"Denver’s Urban Cowboy Public House is a vibrant nod to the historic 1880s saloons that once graced every corner of Downtown Denver," said Urban Cowboy Hotels co-founder Lyon Porter in a news release. "With its inspired décor and charm, the upstairs area offers an exciting opportunity for private events, making it a versatile and dynamic space for any occasion."

The hotel already opened its restaurant Urban Cowboy Public House last month.

The restaurant features a Brooklyn-inspired menu from Roberta’s Pizza with “normcore pizza” topped with sungold tomatoes and Mozzarella di Bufala, pasta al forno, house-made bread and stracciatella.

New Hispanic Save A Lot store opening in Aurora

A new discount grocery concept to cater to the Hispanic community is coming to Aurora, announced Leevers Supermarkets, in partnership with Save A Lot.

The new brand is called Ahorra Mucho, which translates to Save A Lot. It will open on 15200 E. Colfax Ave. on Wednesday at 8 a.m. The first 100 customers will get a $25 gift card.

It will be a specialty discount grocer selling Hispanic grocery products and an “innovation center” to test products and services, the grocer said.