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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.
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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.
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.