Urban Villages recently started construction on Populus, the first carbon-positive hotel in the United States. The 265-room hotel should open in late 2023 and will be unlike anything Denver has ever seen.

Populus’ carbon-positive approach is possible thanks to its sustainable design and construction features, as well as on-site substantial ecological efforts. The property commits to planting trees that will be turned into more than 5,000 acres of forest, offsetting an embodied footprint equivalent to nearly 500,000 gallons of gas. This effort also removes additional carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Each stage of construction minimizes its carbon footprint. Low-carbon concrete mixes and high-recycled content materials will be used during the development. Populus’ ongoing operations will also be carbon positive, so the hotel’s overall use and every guest’s stay will be offset, as well.

“We’ve created Populus to be a catalyst for change and to meet the increasing preference by today’s consumers to travel responsibly, experience places in an authentic way, and connect more deeply with nature and each other,” said Jon Buerge, chief development officer and partner, Urban Villages. “An earth emergency demands that we strengthen our influence, and Populus is just the beginning.”

The hotel is set to include a rooftop restaurant and bar offering spectacular views of the mountains and city skyline, distinct retail destinations, event spaces and an Aspen tree-inspired design by AD100 architecture and Studio Gang.