Ready or not, it’s time to start decking your halls with holiday décor. If you could use some inspiration, take a peek inside “Colorado’s Home,” the Colorado Governor’s Residence at Boettcher Mansion.

Initially built in 1908 as a private residence for Walter Scott Cheesman (who passed away before its completion) and his family, the three-story Colonial Revival mansion has been used by Colorado governors since 1960—and beautifully decorated for the holidays every year along the way.

This year, Gov. Jared Polis invited members of his staff, cabinet, and volunteers to decorate the home—under the expert guidance of David Rote, a member of the Colorado chapter of the American Society of Interior Designers—with the theme “Naturally Colorado: A Holiday Celebration of Botanical Inspiration.” With that vision in mind, Rote and his helpers created an interpretation of spring flowers for the masculine Governor’s Room; added autumnal accents of citrus and spice to the cozy library; adorned the dining room with topiaries, garlands, and kissing balls of fruit, nuts, pinecones, and greens; and accented the conservatory with sprays of berries, magnolia blossoms, and pomegranates.

We took a tour of the stately rooms and shared our favorites here. Take a peek, then start a holiday tradition by planning a visit of your own—free tours are available Thursday through Sunday, December 5–8 and December 12–15, from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m.

The library, which was remodeled in 1927 by then-owners the Boettcher family, features gorgeous, cross-cut inlaid-oak wall paneling and a Louis XIV French cylinder desk—said to be one of only two in existence—made of rare tulip wood by celebrated Louis XIV furniture-maker Andre Boule. Rote emphasized the room’s cozy vibe with autumnal decor, complete with pinecone swags and a tree adorned with citrus garlands and pomanders. Photo by Ian D. Warren
For the State Dining Room, Rote took a cue from the 18th-century French chandelier’s amethyst fruit-shaped pendants when creating topiaries, garlands, kissing balls, and centerpieces overflowing with fruits, nuts, and greens. A festive display of apples and lemons surrounds a Colorado State Seal atop the marble fireplace’s mantel, which is flanked by ornate gilded console tables topped with antique French Rococo-style mirrors. Photo by Ian D. Warren
Decades ago, the Boettcher family expanded the Palm Room by enclosing a former porch to create a massive bay with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook a rose garden and, far beyond, Pike’s Peak. That light-filled space—finished with crisp white Colorado Yule marble and Ionic columns—is the perfect backdrop for a grand tree decorated with sprays of berries, magnolia blossoms, and pomegranates. Photo by Ian D. Warren
In the grand drawing room, antique dreidels and menorahs and a wintry palette of white, silver, and blue accents celebrate Hanukkah traditions while complementing some of the room’s most eye-catching design elements: A Tiffany garniture set with ormolu-and-alabaster mantel clock and candelabra; 18th-century Venetian chairs; table lamps made from Chinese carved-jade vases; and the President Grant chandelier, a Waterford cut-crystal fixture that hung in the White House ballroom where, in 1876, President Ulysses S. Grant presided over a celebration of America’s centennial and Colorado’s admission to the Union. Photo by Ian D. Warren
An homage to spring flowers in blush pinks and soft whites gives the masculine Governor’s Room a lift while complementing the rich red wallcovering and painted dentil moldings. Photo by Ian D. Warren

If you go: Tours begin at the 8th Avenue main gate and are at the pace of the visitor, typically lasting from 20 to 45 minutes. Parking is available on the northwest corner of Logan Street and 8th Avenue. All guests are admitted on a first-come, first-served basis. Reservations are not available, though large groups are encouraged to email the size of your party, date, and time you plan on attending to info@grpfund.org in advance. To learn more, click here.