As Colorado and the country continue to navigate through this unprecedented time, wellness centers and spas have risen up responsibly to implement new safety measures based on guidance from health authorities, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other appropriate government agencies.

The following four wellness centers and spas have put very careful thought into what is necessary, yet still enjoyable and relaxing, to provide a safe and comfortable environment for everyone.

With a focus on health and wellness for employees and guests, Manitou Springs’ SunWater Spa has reopened with new procedures in place to protect the community. Celebrating their fifth anniversary, the spa is open with reservations only from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. (last booking at 7 p.m.), Tuesday through Sunday; masks will be required as well as social distancing.

Soaking times in SunWater’s eight personal hot mineral water tubs will be limited to 90 minutes, with cleaning and sanitizing after each soak. There will also be a new blueprint for yoga and other fitness classes which are outlined on the website. SunWater will be offering limited massages and other body work, however lockers will not be open for use, and guests are asked to bring their own water bottles, slippers/robes and reusable sacks or bags.

“SunWater is also uniquely configured to follow social distance protocols, as all our outdoor personal pool tubs are at least six feet apart, and soaking is limited to four people who are in the same group,” explains Kat Tudor, SunWater co-founder and creative director. “We also hold yoga classes in the open air as our big studio has large garage-door style windows, which open from floor to ceiling, allowing fresh air and circulating air flow.”

SunWater Spa

514 El Paso Blvd., Manitou Springs, CO

Glenwood Hot Springs is an expansive wellness and relaxation resort and takes the well-being of their guests seriously. Masks are mandatory and must be worn in all public areas with the exception of those actively swimming. Day admission for the pool is on a first-come first-serve basis and no re-entry will be allowed in order to precisely manage and monitor the number of guests in the pool, and is also marked with 6-foot social distancing markers. A special grab-and grow breakfast is available for those staying at the resort.

If you are coming to Glenwood for a true wellness experience, then their wellness package may be for you. It includes a room discount, upgrade to their full-service athletic club, with amenities such as a wet lounge with steam room, sauna and whirlpool, men’s and women’s locker room facilities, cardio exercise equipment and weights, and racquetball/handball courts.

Glenwood Hot Springs Resort

401 N. River St., Glenwood Springs, CO

Life Essentials Day Spa in Steamboat Springs has a very unique philosophy on the current health crisis and quarantine. As coined on their website, “Please take all the precautions necessary to stay safe during this pandemic. Wash your hands, practice social distancing, rest, hydrate and muse. You may be doing your greatest work during this worldwide time out.”

If you decide to venture out, Life Essentials offers several unique and popular spa packages including the 90-minute Earth Package, the Water Package with a 60-minute balancing massage and 60-minute progenerate facial, and the Alpen Glow featuring a 60-minute sugar glow scrub.

Life Essentials Day Spa

345 Lincoln Ave. #107, Steamboat Springs, CO

Within the five-star resort, The Spa at The Broadmoor also has strict protocols in place and the “best practices will continue to be refined to ensure guest and employee safety moving forward,” as stated on their website. Technicians must wear masks at all times within body treatment rooms and during appropriate services. Phone reservations are required, with email itineraries available.

The Spa is moving forward with their ninth annual Weekend of Wellness, “Elements of Healthy Living,” from March 12 – 15, 2021. Attendees will learn about wellness activities and how to be more efficient and effective by focusing in new ways. The keynote speaker Shannon Happe Bahrke was born and raised in Lake Tahoe, California and moved to Salt Lake City, Utah in 1998 to pursue her dreams of making the U.S. Ski Team. Shannon competed in six World Championship Teams, three Olympic games and brought home two Olympic medals.

The Spa at The Broadmoor

1 Lake Ave., Colorado Springs

Photo courtesy of SunWater Spa.

Originally published in the Winter + Spring 2020-21 issue of CO YOGA + Life Magazine. 

Wendy Wilkinson has been a writer and publicist in the celebrity/lifestyle worlds for more than 25 years. Her work has been published in many national and regional publications including the Los Angeles Times, Colorado Living Well, Cowboys & Indians, and Fit and Fit Yoga. As an author she co-wrote Parents at Last, Celebrating Adoption and the New Pathways to Parenthood, People We Know, Horses They Love, with cover Robert Redford, and Morgan Freeman & Friends, Caribbean Cooking for a Cause.