Conference Services

An aerial view of the Escalante Dorm Complex and the University Center with W Mountain in the background.

Book a conference or event at Western.

Our serene and charming institution is settled in the heart of the Rocky Mountains in the Gunnison Valley, making our seamless existence with nature more than ideal for any type of event.

Here at Western and throughout your stay, we anticipate that you and your group will find that our affordable accommodations, impressive venues, and dedicated staff excel at delivering a memorable experience. So, whether you are interested in hosting collegiate athletics, professional events, outdoor recreation, or academic symposiums, Western guarantees excellence and eagerness to provide your group with unparalleled service.

Conference Venues

From art galleries and concert halls to expansive athletics facilities and wilderness recreation, Western and its conference services team is dedicated to insuring a memorable and unique experience.Pricing Pricing for campus venues is available upon request and is given on a per attendee basis. If you are interested in reserving a campus venue, please contact us.

Three Western basketball fans hold up Ws with their hands during a free throw while sitting in the stands during a women's basketball game.

Paul Wright Gymnasium & Athletic Facilities
Located at the northern end of campus at 7,723 feet above sea level, Paul Wright Gymnasium holds the distinction of being the highest collegiate gym in the world. The facility includes two multipurpose gyms suited for basketball, volleyball, track and field, as well as a wrestling room, locker rooms, and versatile meeting spaces. Surrounding athletic fields such as the Mountaineer Bowl, complete with a regulation football field and 400-meter track, and dedicated practice spaces like the Rugby field, offer ideal venues for athletes and events of all sizes.

Aquatics Center
The Aquatics Center, housed within Paul Wright Gymnasium, features a six-lane lap pool, diving board, hot tub, and rope swing, making it a perfect venue for swim meets, recreation, and training. The center accommodates up to 40 guests and provides a fun, dynamic space for aquatic activities alongside relaxation amenities like the indoor hot tub.

Classrooms
The Paul Wright Gymnasium also includes smart classrooms equipped with projectors, screens, and laptop connectivity, ideal for lectures, workshops, or team meetings. These classrooms comfortably host between 40 and 100 guests. All university spaces are available for both day-use and larger group events, providing flexible, tech-ready environments for a wide variety of programs.

Pro Skier, Angel Collinson speaking at Western Colorado University for The Blister Series.

Kelley Hall
Kelley Hall, home to the Social Sciences, History, and Environment & Sustainability programs, features smart classrooms, lecture halls, and boardrooms. It boasts the highest LEED certification on campus, with sustainable features like solar panels and native gardens, offering spaces that accommodate 40–100 guests.

Quigley Hall
Quigley Hall, the hub for Art and Music, includes the John & Georgie Kincaid Concert Hall and an outdoor band shell—both seating up to 200 guests. Renovated to enhance its vibrant, creative atmosphere, it also offers specialized classrooms and a conference room for smaller groups.

Borick Business Building
Borick Business Building supports business programs with spacious smart classrooms and an Executive Boardroom (seating up to 16). Designed to blend professionalism with natural surroundings, Borick offers modern A/V-equipped spaces ideal for meetings and workshops.

Taylor Hall
Western’s oldest building, Taylor Hall houses administrative offices and the Communication Arts, Language & Literature programs. Recent renovations have modernized its facilities, which include smart classrooms, a spacious auditorium, a studio theatre, and the campus radio station.

A photo of the north entrance to the Universtiy Center.

The University Center at Western Colorado University offers a variety of versatile spaces ideal for conferences, meetings, and events. Central to its offerings is the Full Ballroom, which combines the North and South Ballrooms to accommodate up to 400 guests in a theater-style setup. This expansive space features a stage, fixed screen, projector, and comprehensive audio-visual capabilities, making it suitable for large-scale events.

For more intimate gatherings, the South Ballroom alone can host up to 250 guests theater-style, while the North Ballroom is suitable for up to 75 guests. Both rooms are equipped with similar technological amenities, ensuring a seamless experience for presentations and performances.

Additional meeting spaces include the North and South Conference Rooms, each accommodating up to 60 guests in a theater-style arrangement, and a Board Room designed for executive meetings with a capacity of 16 guests. The University Center also houses a theater with seating for 199 guests, ideal for film screenings or lectures.

University Center

A wide view of the Quigley Gallery during the monthly art convocation event.

The Quigley Art Gallery, located inside Quigley Hall, is a versatile exhibition space that supports a wide range of artistic expression at Western Colorado University. Throughout the year, it hosts rotating exhibits that feature professional artists, student work, and faculty showcases, creating a dynamic and inspiring environment for the campus community and visitors alike.

The gallery plays an important role in both academic and cultural programming, offering opportunities for public receptions, artist talks, and community events. Its flexible layout and modern amenities make it an ideal venue for intimate gatherings, exhibitions, and educational experiences tied to the arts.

A photo of the climbing wall in the Mountaineer Field House.

Western Colorado University’s Mountaineer Field House features a student-designed climbing wall that stands 43.5 feet tall and offers 3,114 square feet of climbing surface. The facility includes 13 leadable routes, two free-form cracks, and a rappel platform, accommodating climbers of all skill levels—from beginners to advanced enthusiasts. This versatile setup provides opportunities for skill development, training, and recreational climbing in a controlled indoor environment.

The climbing wall is integrated into the broader offerings of the Mountaineer Field House, a 65,000-square-foot facility that also houses a 200-meter indoor track, multiple courts, fitness centers, and more. Access to the climbing wall is available to students, faculty, and community members through various membership options, including specific climbing wall passes. Regular hours are maintained throughout the week, providing ample opportunities for individual climbing sessions, group events, and instructional programs.

Mountaineer Field House

Shot of Western Colorado University and the "W" during fall time.

Campus Green Spaces

Western Colorado University offers a variety of picturesque green spaces that serve as ideal venues for outdoor events. Areas such as the Taylor Lawn, University Center Lawn, and the Academic Quad provide open-air settings perfect for gatherings, performances, and ceremonies. These spaces offer scenic views and a natural ambiance, enhancing the experience of any event.

Parking Lot Venues

The university’s parking lots are adaptable spaces that can accommodate a range of events, from tailgating to festivals. Notably, the Paul Wright Gym and Savage Library parking lots are popular for tailgating activities, while the University Center parking lot offers a premium area reserved for special events. These lots provide ample space and accessibility for large gatherings.

Event Flexibility and Access

All campus venues, including green spaces and parking lots, are available for both day-use and group events. With a variety of settings to choose from, event planners can select the perfect backdrop for their needs, whether it’s an open lawn for a casual gathering or a parking area for a large-scale event. The university’s commitment to providing versatile spaces ensures that every event can be tailored to its specific requirements

Lodging

Through our accommodating lodging and noteworthy spirit of hospitality, we want to make sure that your stay at Western is both an engaging and pleasant one. Western offers lodging ranging from traditional dormitory-style rooms to four bedroom apartments and everything in between–all at prices unmatched by conventional hotels. We are here to ensure that your visit is comfortable and memorable.

A photo of Chipeta Hall from the Northwest side of the building

Located on the southwest corner of campus near the President’s residence, the Chipeta Apartments offer comfortable and convenient living with direct access to Western’s lush campus garden. This residence features one- and two-occupant apartments, each equipped with a private bathroom, full kitchen, and walk-in storage closet. Residents enjoy close proximity to the Mountaineer Field House and University Center, as well as access to a variety of shared amenities, including lounges, study rooms, computer labs, and laundry facilities.

Apartment Features
Chipeta Apartments provide thoughtfully designed living spaces, with rooms ranging from 225 to 255 square feet. Each unit includes a full-sized, adjustable bed, a spacious desk, and a large closet for personal storage. Guests also benefit from site-specific amenities such as a community garden, enhancing the experience of campus living alongside the general amenities available to all Western guests.

Located adjacent to Ute Hall and at the base of the scenic Taylor Lawn, the Mears Complex offers a connected living experience through its three main halls: Mears, Moffat, and Robidoux. Each building features fully furnished, suite-style double rooms joined by a shared bathroom, with easy access to common lounges, computer labs, a community kitchen, and laundry facilities. Enclosed corridors connect all three halls, and the complex’s central location places residents steps from campus highlights like the Mountaineer Field House, University Center, and several convenient parking lots.

Apartment Features
Rooms within the Mears Complex measure 17 by 15 feet and include an extra-long twin bed (adjustable height), a spacious desk, and a large wardrobe for storage. Residents benefit from site-specific amenities such as shared study spaces, common lounges, and kitchen areas, alongside the general amenities available to all Western guests, creating a supportive and social environment for campus living.

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The Escalante Complex in view on a sunny day.

Perched at the northern end of campus, the Escalante Complex overlooks Western Colorado University and is steps from the University Center and Mountaineer Bowl. The complex is built around a central terrace and is composed of four interconnected residence halls—Tomichi, Crystal, Dolores, and Colorado—joined by enclosed breezeways. Each hall features fully furnished, traditional dormitory-style rooms with several semi-private bathrooms conveniently located at the center of each building. Residents also have access to full laundry services and multiple lounges on every floor, creating a comfortable and social living environment.

Apartment Features
Rooms within the Escalante Complex measure 17 by 15 feet and include extra-long twin beds with adjustable heights, spacious desks, and large wardrobes for personal storage. In addition to general campus amenities, residents enjoy site-specific conveniences like study lounges and shared laundry facilities, offering a supportive blend of privacy and community for guests and students alike.

The Pinnacles Apartments exterior at blue hour.

As Western’s newest addition to campus housing, the Pinnacles Apartments are named after a striking geologic formation northwest of Gunnison. Standing four stories tall, they are the tallest buildings in town and offer modern apartment-style living. Each unit features a full kitchen and spacious common room, while the building itself includes ample shared spaces such as lounges, study rooms, laundry facilities, and even a greenhouse, creating a vibrant and community-oriented atmosphere.

Apartment Features
Rooms in the Pinnacles Apartments range from 225 to 255 square feet and include a full-sized, adjustable-height bed, a generously sized desk, a dresser, and a spacious closet. In addition to general campus amenities, Pinnacles residents enjoy site-specific conveniences like multiple study rooms and community lounges, offering a comfortable and well-equipped environment for both academic and social life.

Building	Western Groups	Non-Western Groups
Residence Halls Ute, Escalante Complex, Mears Complex	$30/pp/night	$40/pp/night
Apartments Chipeta and Pinnacles	$50/pp/night	$60/pp/night

Western students prepare to get all the food that the Multi cultural Center has put together for the luau.

Due to the consistent delivery of excellent food and commitment to quality exhibited by its employees, Western has a proud and longstanding relationship with Sodexo, our campus food service. If it is not the smiling faces worn by the cooks at the omelette station or the salad bar, it’s the broad variety of meal options—from vegan and vegetarian choices—to hand-crafted pizzas–that will leave you satisfied.
The Rare Air Cafe

2024-2025 Pricing

Breakfast: $9.99
Lunch: $12.00
Dinner: $12.99

Mad Jack’s

Flavours Catering by Sodexo

Damage

Damage to the property, including but not limited to rooms, fixtures, furnishings, or linens, will result in an additional charge of fair replacement value or necessary cleaning.

Pets

Unfortunately, pets are not allowed on Western’s campus, of course, with the exception of service animals.

Smoking & Alcohol

Colorado State Law prohibits smoking in all of Western’s buildings, which includes cigarettes, e-cigarettes, and marijuana in any form. Western is also compliant with federal government policies and allows consumption of alcoholic beverages by guests who are 21 years of age and older and in possession of a valid driver’s license or passport.

Handicap Accessibility

Western Colorado University is dedicated to accommodating all guests with disabilities.

The mission of Western Campus Security Services is to help provide a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, staff, and visitors. This is accomplished through a community-friendly approach, visibility of security personnel, 24-hour accessibility, regular patrols, and cooperation with all local emergency agencies.

Campus Security Office: 970.943.3084

Campus Security Cell Phone: 970.209.1020

Campus Security Emergency Cell: 970.209.8798

If you would like to schedule a summer conference at Western Colorado University, or simply want more information, please contact us using the information below.

Email Conference Services

970.943.2026

ghinze@western.edu

Western Colorado University
University Center
1 Western Way
Gunnison, CO 81231

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Deputy Director of Athletics/Conference and Event Services