It was important to my husband Alex and me to get married at a place that feels like home. This was the perfect choice since it’s such a special place to us both and is where we met. The staff was extremely loving, supportive and accommodating, which made it a pleasure to coordinate. We were free to decorate as we pleased and were able to schedule the day according to our needs.

I appreciated the staff’s flexibility, especially when plans changed. For example, when we changed our minds the night before the wedding to go from having it outside to inside, the staff kept the day running smoothly even when I was running late. Our big day went how we dreamed it to and it’s all thanks to the staff there! This unique venue is not only gorgeous, but it’s peaceful, private and special. My guests continue to tell me how beautiful our wedding was (and how delicious the food was)!

— Beth Griffin, Guest, Married at Valerie Lodge

For 14 years, Valerie Lodge has been an outstanding venue for our weekend dance event. Participants repeatedly say a huge reason they return is the ambiance of the venue.

The cabins are more comfortable than many other venues at which similar events are held. The layout of Valerie Lodge’s dining room and adjacent dance floor creates a sense of openness and community between workshop participants and those hanging out by the fireplace of the dining room.

The views from Valerie Lodge are so stunning that one participant said she felt like she was dancing in a postcard! Additionally, the newest building at Round Up Ranch, Aspen Grove, provides an excellent break out space for us and top-notch accommodations.

We also can’t speak highly enough of the chefs and kitchen staff at 100 Elk. They create individualized menus for our four-day event, meeting the needs of a diverse crowd. Meals are on-time and served with an efficient layout. Event organizers, I highly recommend you check out 100 Elk!

— Eleanor Fahrney, Founder, Stellar Days & Nights Music and Dance Camp

I’m so grateful we chose to get married here. It’s such a beautiful, special place.

— Erin Dale, Guest, Married outside

Our organization, CenterPoint Retreats – a Colorado-based nonprofit that helps women veterans recover from traumatic experiences, has been coming to 100 Elk since 2011 because of the peaceful atmosphere and the opportunity for solitude and a beautiful natural environment for our clients.

It’s obvious that you really want 100 Elk to be a place of healing and I think that energy comes through to the participants. Plus, the great staff, the feeling that we are valued and wanted there, and the ease of setting everything up is why CenterPoint has returned year after year.

— Laura Tyson, Director of Veteran’s Programs, CenterPoint Retreats

I have been working with the team at the 100 Elk Outdoor Center for over 10 years with my organization, Denver Urban Scholars, formerly known as Colorado Youth at Risk. The staff are flexible and consistently go above and beyond to support our large group of high school students and adult volunteer mentors and staff coming in from Denver to stay multiple days.

For many of our students, the trip to 100 Elk is their first experience away from home, their first time being in the mountains, or both. It is always powerful for our young people, who are dealing with many challenges that could limit their potential, to have the experience of leaving their usual environment to have time and space to reflect and consider what’s possible for their future. The team at 100 Elk is always willing to be creative and work in true partnership with us to set the stage for powerful transformation in the lives of our students.

— Sarah McGill, LCSW, Program Manager, Denver Urban Scholars

The 100 Elk staff see people without limitations. This makes participants themselves more likely to overcome fears and get way beyond labels that others might place on them.

Stepping out of their comfort zone – breaking from a normal routine and trying something new – is extremely challenging. The 100 Elk staff have this gentle approach in working with our people, offering encouragement and simple little steps. Before they know it, they realize they’re doing something they never knew they were capable of.

— Todd Herzer, President, Rainbow Valley Resource Network

Rainbow Valley Resource Network (RVRN) is a nonprofit that provides financial assistance, information resources, and experiential enrichment activities that foster spiritual growth for families and individuals with developmental/special needs. The organization hosts an annual program at 100 Elk for its constituents focused on outdoor education.

The special thing about the 100 Elk session was its inclusiveness and its flexibility. Staffers were going the extra mile to accommodate special requests (in our case, preparing different food for my daughter). Anywhere else, that would have been too much to ask. But here, meeting our needs seemed to be all part of the plan.

I think what impressed me the most was the atmosphere of elevated thought, joy, expectation, and genuine love. I heard that several campers with special needs were breaking through limitations and doing new things at 100 Elk. But of course, that is to be expected!

— Julie, Participant, Rainbow Valley Resources Network’s Annual 100 Elk Program

Colorado Outside has been hosting programs at 100 Elk Outdoor Center for many years. We love working with the folks there and have trained many of the staff.

Valerie Lodge is our favorite place to teach courses because of the magnificent views and easy access to outdoor space that helps connect our students to their environment. The facilities are so well taken care of, and the cabins are always clean and warm. The facilities are also large and varied enough, allowing us to always have our own space and never feel crowded, even when other programs are operating on site.

We want for nothing when we are there, and if we do, the staff provides immediate support. The outdoor space is amazing, with access to trails, fields, creeks, woods and amazing views of the Arkansas Valley.

Overall: It’s easy to schedule, has great lodging facilities for our participants, and the staff are always available to answer questions and accommodate different needs. 100 Elk provides a supportive and safe environment for our participants.

— Darren Stokes, Owner, Colorado Outside (a local provider of Wilderness Medical Training)