Free tours of the Governor’s Residence in Denver this weekend

FILE PHOTO: Deputy Press Secretary for Colorado Governor's Office Eric Maruyama attempts to get a vintage model train set running underneath the tallest of three trees in the Palm Room at the Governor's Residence at the Boettcher Mansion on Monday, Dec. 4, 2023, in Denver, Colo. 2024 public tours of the residence will be available from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday. Walk-ins welcome, online reservations here .
Timothy Hurst/Denver Gazette
Ever wondered where Colorado Gov. Jared Polis lives? Well, it’s not at the Governor’s Residence in Denver.
But those who would like to see the 116-year-old mansion and its collection of holiday inspired decorations will be able to do so this weekend as Polis opens the residence up for its annual holiday tours.
Free tours will be provided of the Colorado Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion — located at 400 E. 8th Ave. — from 10 a.m. to noon Friday and from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, according to a news release from the Governor’s Office.
While walk-ins are welcome, people can RSVP at this link.
“I welcome Coloradans to kick off the holiday season in Colorado’s home. Each year public holiday tours of the Governor’s Residence give Coloradans the chance to visit the historic house, learn about its history, enjoy the exquisite and well-curated decorations, and spread holiday cheer. Join us Friday and Saturday, December 6th and 7th,” Polis said in the release.
While Polis doesn’t actually reside at the residence, the mansion has been provided to the elected governor since 1960. Gov. Stephen McNichols was the first to live in the mansion in 1961.
Initially, the mansion was built in 1908 by Walter Cheesman. It was then sold to Claude K. Boettcher in 1923.
After Boettcher’s death in 1957, the 27-room home was offered to the State of Colorado as a governor’s residence.
Despite no longer acting as the actual home of the governor, it remains a location for historical tours and, during the holiday season, it is dressed up with grandeur decorations and lights.