The Best Hospitality Jobs in Denver
Denver, Colorado, is not just known for its stunning mountain views and vibrant culture; it’s also a bustling hub for the hospitality industry. Denver is a huge destination for those traveling the country chasing the thrill of visiting new cities and the beautiful nature of America. The good news? People need places to stay, are always looking for new events or attractions to explore, and are spending as much time as they can in the great Colorado wilderness. Whether you’re looking for well-paying jobs in Colorado or seasonal work, the options are plentiful thanks to the industry here and all that Colorado has to offer both those who live here and those visiting temporarily.
Let’s Break Down Denver’s Hospitality Industry
We say the word ‘hospitality’ a lot, and I’m sure you’ve heard it plenty as well. Hospitality can mean a lot of things, and Denver’s truly got it all. Let’s break it down:
Attractions and Arts + Culture
Denver’s arts scene is thriving, with numerous museums, theaters, and galleries. The city is home to cultural institutions such as the Denver Art Museum and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, which attract both locals and tourists. This sector offers careers in the hospitality industry that blend passion for the arts with customer service.
Events
From large conventions to intimate weddings, Denver hosts a variety of events year-round. This sector allows you to flex your creativity, bring people together, and be a part of a booming industry. The events industry will continuously reward you with skills, earnings, and non-stop opportunities.
Hotels
Denver boasts a wide range of accommodations, from luxury hotels to charming boutique options — making it easy for visitors to easily stay in the Mile High City and explore everything Colorado has to offer. This sector is always looking for individuals interested in growing and developing transferable skills. The hotel industry has an incredibly varied range of positions ready for you to choose from.
Outdoor Recreation
With the Rocky Mountains in its backyard, Denver is a prime location for outdoor activities. Whether it’s skiing in the winter or hiking in the summer, the outdoor sector offers unique hospitality industry jobs that cater to adventure seekers.
Food and Beverage
Denver’s food scene is exploding, with everything from farm-to-table restaurants to innovative breweries. This sector offers numerous opportunities for those passionate about culinary arts and service — it’s perfect for those with an appetite for growth.
What is the Best Field in Hospitality?
Well, we really can’t tell you that! They are all great for different reasons, and one may be more fulfilling for you than another. It’s best to break it down and look at the different types of jobs each sector of the industry has to offer. Denver is particularly great because of the diverse hotels, outdoor companies, restaurants, events, and attractions drawing hundreds of thousands of people each year. Let’s see what’s great right now:
Best Hospitality Jobs In Denver Right Now
The following jobs are some of the most common listings available in Denver, and also some of the best. They are all fun, fulfilling, great growth opportunities, and wonderful ways to take advantage of what this city has to offer to those in the hospitality industry!
Attractions
Tour Guide: As a tour guide, you’ll provide informative and engaging experiences for visitors at various attractions, such as Ball Arena and the other sporting arenas that offer tours. This role requires excellent communication skills and a passion for sharing knowledge about the city’s rich history and landmarks.
Attractions Manager: In this leadership role, you’ll oversee operations and enhance the guest experience at attractions like the Denver Zoo or Butterfly Pavilion. Managing staff, coordinating events, and ensuring high service standards are key responsibilities.
Guest Services: Guest services representatives are essential in addressing visitor questions and concerns, enhancing overall satisfaction. There are openings at places like Butterfly Gardens, where you can directly impact guests’ experiences and ensure they leave with wonderful memories.
Attractions Maintenance: Behind the scenes, maintenance staff play a crucial role in keeping attractions like the Denver Zoo in top shape. Openings here focus on ensuring that facilities are clean, safe, and that the animals are well taken care of.
Grounds Maintenance / Care: This position involves maintaining the outdoor spaces of attractions, ensuring the beauty of the grounds is preserved for all to enjoy. There are often openings at the Denver Zoo, Butterfly Pavilion, and Elitch Gardens, to name a few.
Retail: At venues such as Elitch Gardens and the Denver Art Museum, retail positions offer an engaging way to interact with guests while selling merchandise that enhances their visit.
Actors: Elitch Gardens also has openings for actors who entertain guests, making the visit memorable through engaging performances. This is especially true around Halloween when the park is looking for ‘scare actors’ to keep guests on their toes.
Security / Event Security: Working in security at locations like the Denver Arts Complex, you’ll help ensure guest safety during events, providing peace of mind to all attendees.
Ticket Office: Ticket office staff at places like the Mile High Stadium and Elitch Gardens are responsible for managing ticket sales, handling inquiries, and ensuring smooth entry for guests.
Events
Box Office Staff: Join the team at AEG as box office staff, where you’ll manage ticket sales, assist customers, and facilitate event access for patrons visiting the sports complexes, music venues, and other event venues throughout the city.
Event Production Staff: Openings at AEG also include event production staff who help bring events to life, coordinating everything from setup to teardown. Many of these openings involve tech and other key production details.
Wedding Planner: As a wedding planner, you’ll work with couples to create their dream weddings, managing logistics, budgets, and vendor relationships to ensure a seamless celebration.
Event Manager / Coordinator: This role involves planning and executing events, managing logistics, and ensuring everything runs smoothly. Resources like Meeting Professionals International can provide valuable networking opportunities and job listings.
Meeting Planner: Meeting planners organize corporate meetings and conventions, which can be especially fun in the events industry.
Catering Manager: Catering managers oversee food service for events, working for companies like Footers and Catering by Design. This role includes menu planning, staff supervision, and customer service.
Director of Event Technology / Audio Visual Technician: Places like Inspire Solutions are currently seeking candidates for roles that involve managing the technical aspects of events, including audio and visual needs, ensuring a seamless experience for attendees.
Hotels & Resorts
Front Desk Agent: As the first point of contact for guests, front desk agents at Denver hotels like Hilton, Hyatt, Four Seasons, and Marriott handle check-ins and check-outs, providing excellent customer service.
Concierge: Concierges assist guests in finding entertainment, dining options, and activities, ensuring they have the best experience possible during their stay.
Guest Services Representative: This role involves addressing guest inquiries and resolving issues, making it vital for maintaining high customer satisfaction. There are always openings at several of Denver’s top hotels.
Housekeeping Supervisor: Housekeeping supervisors ensure that rooms and public areas are clean and well-maintained.
Food and Beverage Manager: This managerial role oversees dining operations and staff management. Sage Hospitality often lists roles related to food and beverage in the hotel industry.
Count Team: Openings at Black Hawk Casino for the count team involve handling cash and managing financial transactions, ensuring accuracy and security.
Valet: Valets provide parking services to guests, offering convenience and enhancing their overall experience at Denver hotels and resorts.
Outdoor Recreation and Adventure
Tour Guide: Places like Aspire Tours are always seeking tour guides who can lead groups through Denver’s scenic outdoor spaces, providing knowledge and ensuring a fun, safe experience.
Ski Instructor: Winter Park and Copper Mountain are just two of the many resorts in Colorado with openings for ski instructors, allowing you to teach skiing techniques to guests of all skill levels, and share your love for the slopes.
Lift Technician: If you’re mechanically inclined, lift technician positions at places like Winter Park focus on maintaining and operating ski lifts, ensuring safe and efficient transport for guests.
Whitewater Rafting Guide: As a guide, you’ll lead rafting trips, ensuring safety and fun for guests.
Hiking Guide: You’ll take groups on hiking excursions, sharing knowledge about local flora and fauna, while enjoying the beauty of the Colorado landscape.
Park Ranger: Openings with Colorado Parks and Wildlife allow you to work as a park ranger, educating the public about the natural environment while ensuring its preservation.
Programming Manager: Places like Colorado Discover Ability, and other educational-based outdoor companies, are always seeking programming managers to develop and implement outdoor recreational programs.
Food and Beverage
Server: Servers at establishments like Edible Eats provide excellent service, managing orders and ensuring that guests have a delightful dining experience. Check out their website to see listings at any of their restaurants in the Denver area.
Bartender: As a bartender, you’ll mix and serve drinks, creating a welcoming atmosphere and interacting with guests in a vibrant setting. It’s a great opportunity for you to flex your creativity and people skills.
Host/Hostess: Host/hostesses greet and seat guests at restaurants, managing reservations and ensuring a smooth dining flow. If you’re a people person, you’ll have a blast meeting new people and being a positive point of contact in their day.
Chef/Cook: Who doesn’t love food? With openings at various hotels, chefs and cooks prepare meals and oversee kitchen operations, contributing to the culinary experience of guests.
Restaurant Manager: As a restaurant manager, you’ll oversee daily operations, staff management, and customer satisfaction, ensuring that the establishment runs efficiently and effectively.
Internships and Volunteer Opportunities
If you’re still exploring your interests, consider internships or volunteer positions to gain hands-on experience in the hospitality field. These opportunities can lead to full-time roles and provide invaluable industry insights.
Benefits of Working in Denver’s Hospitality Industry
- High Demand: Denver’s thriving tourism industry creates consistent job opportunities, making it easier to find roles suited to your skills.
- Competitive Salaries: Salaries in the hospitality sector are generally competitive, especially in popular tourist destinations like Denver.
- Growth Potential: Opportunities for advancement and career growth are abundant, allowing for a fulfilling long-term career.
- Unique Experiences: Working in Denver’s hospitality industry allows for unique experiences and encounters with diverse people, enriching your professional life.
- Work-Life Balance: With access to outdoor activities and a vibrant lifestyle, employees often find a healthy work-life balance.
How Do I Get Started?
Denver’s hospitality industry is ripe with opportunities, making it one of the best careers in Colorado. Whether you’re passionate about arts and culture, outdoor adventures, or culinary experiences, there’s a place for you. Explore the various career options available in this dynamic field and start your journey toward an exciting future in the Denver, Colorado job market. If you’re ready to take the next step, check out Boredom is Fired for the latest job listings!
