Spencer Penrose was an avowed bachelor prior to meeting Julie Villiers Lewis McMillan. Julie was born into Detroit high society as daughter of the mayor who later married the son of a U.S. Senator. She was heavily involved in civic life even after their family moved from the big city to Colorado Springs so her husband could be treated for tuberculosis. Sadly, her husband ended up passing away. After mourning, she met and later married Spencer, one of Colorado Springs’ most eligible bachelors.
Not only did Spencer and Julie combine their fortunes, they combined their visions as well, leaving behind a significant philanthropic legacy in Colorado Springs. These endeavors fundamentally shaped the culture, healthcare and landscape of Colorado Springs and the surrounding areas. Penrose St. Francis Hospital, The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center, as well as the El Pomar Foundation are all thanks to the Penrose’s efforts.
Four Pillars
While traveling, Spencer and Julie Penrose focused on four core pillars: luxurious hospitality, fine arts, diverse global cuisine, and active recreation—all of which they systematically imported to Colorado Springs to create The Broadmoor. They were avid collectors of fine wines and spirits, maintaining a high standard of libations, even during the "dry" culture of their era. Their travels were marked by active pursuits and a fascination with how people moved.
The Cog Railway, the Pikes Peak Highway, and subsequently the Pikes Peak Hill Climb, as well as Cheyenne Mountain Zoo and The Broadmoor are some their efforts to create a sense of world-class tourism in their city. In addition to car racing, golf, polo and figure skating all have been part of the sports scene hosted by the Penroses at the Broadmoor.
The Penrose Room
As stewards of a historical landmark as well as curators of Colorado Springs cultural heritage, any renovation that occurs at The Broadmoor is carefully considered. The Penrose Room was the latest on the list. Located on the top floor of the south building, it boasts sweeping views of Cheyenne Mountain to the west and the city of Colorado Springs to the east.
The timing was right. Over the past decade, fine dining has undergone a cultural shift. Guests are no longer seeking four-hour meals defined by hushed tones and rigid formality. Instead, they crave connection, comfort and recognizable dishes executed at the highest level. The new Penrose Room answers that call, without sacrificing sophistication.
“We wanted to honor the history and tradition of the resort while bringing the space into the modern era,” says David Patterson, vice president of food and beverage at The Broadmoor. “Spencer and Julie Penrose were an easy vehicle to do that. They loved to entertain. They loved a good party. That spirit is exactly what we were after.”
Incredible Food + A Living Museum
Drawing inspiration from Julie and Spencer’s history as well as their extensive travels, the Penrose Room is not simply a AAA Five-Diamond-rated restaurant, it is a living museum. Curio cases invite guests to linger and explore, displaying artifacts curated by The Broadmoor’s historian, including personal items on loan from El Pomar Foundation.
Created in partnership with New York-based Tihany Design, the space unfolds across multiple dining rooms: the Gold Room, Jade Room, and Copper Room, each layered with meaning.
The Copper Room architecture nods to the Penroses’ pioneering migration to Colorado Springs and Spencer’s mining endeavors that ultimately funded his fortune. The room represents the refined masculinity of Spencer Penrose, combining elements of a vintage train car and a western salon. Surrounded with copper tones, tooled-leather and enveloped in warm wood and ornate ceiling tiles symbolizing the warmth and sophistication that Julie brought to his life, this room is set up for conversation.
The Copper Room leads into the main dining space, or the Gold Room. This room also speaks to Spencer’s gold-mining success with the Cash on Delivery (C.O.D.) Mine. This gilded room accented with sculptural chandeliers offers a fine dining experience to guests.
The Jade Room is next – named for Julie’s love of the pale green gem. It is the private dining room and offers a more intimate setting draped in jade tones. The plush carpeting is reminiscent of the cloisonné vases that Julie brought back from adventures to Asia.
Lastly, guests can take a stroll down a hallway inspired by the mining tunnels of the C.O.D. to discover a bookcase at the end of the hallway. In honor of Spencer’s famed secret doorways, the books lead to a private enclave, speakeasy-style bar dedicated to The Broadmoor Polo Association established in the early 1920s.
The entire space is sprinkled with select works from Denver’s American Museum of Western Art - Anschutz Collection, hand chosen and placed by Anschutz himself. The keen eye can also spot hints of the Cheyenne Mountain Zoo peppered throughout the space.
Special; Not Stuffy
As a treasured piece of Colorado Springs history, the team at the Broadmoor strove to create an air of accessibility, inviting all of Colorado Springs to enjoy the Penrose Room for more than just a special occasion. It is the perfect setting to grab drinks on a Tuesday evening or a night out with friends.
“We wanted a space that feels special, but not stuffy,” Patterson explains. “You don’t need an occasion to come here—you are the occasion.”
Rather than building the concept around a single cuisine, the team took an atypical approach: designing the restaurant from the guest experience outward. The result is an eclectic menu rooted in nostalgia and worldliness, much like the Penrose’s themselves. Tableside theatrics include carved Beef Wellington, flamed Baked Alaska, and rolling cocktail carts–a nod to old-world glamour, while sushi, sashimi, Pacific Rim flavors, and globally inspired dishes reflect the couple’s extensive travels.
The menu reinforces that sense of place and purpose. Ingredients are sourced as locally as possible, including Wagyu from the resort’s own Eagles Nest Ranch in northern Colorado. Bread is baked on property. Chocolate comes from an exclusive partnership with Valrhona, featuring a proprietary Broadmoor Blend. Even the custom Hawaiian roll brioche has a backstory rooted in the Penrose’s’ travels.
Equally important is the people.
“You can have the most beautiful room in the world,” Patterson says, “but without the right team, it doesn’t matter. Our staff truly cares. They’re committed to taking care of you.”
The response has been resounding. Legacy guests and locals, many with generational ties to the original room, say the same thing: It feels new, yet timeless, as though it’s always been this way.
The Penrose Room remains a staple, an institution, and once again, the heart of celebratory dining at The Broadmoor. Come as you are, dress up if you like, stay for sushi or a burger on a Tuesday night. Sit back, relax, and let the experience unfold.
After all, you’ve arrived.
Website: https://www.broadmoor.com/dining/the-penrose-room
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