"I have been on dozens of retreats in the past 40 years and I can't say enough good things about RMERC. My week spent there during the meditation nature retreat was so very special in so many ways. Will be passing along a recommendation to family and friends for sure."
Highly Rated Retreats in Ward Colorado
Types of Retreat in Ward Colorado
Upcoming Retreats in Ward Colorado
Experiences on Retreat
"A perfectly designed retreat.
The balance of silence to teachings to community were ideal. Led by facilitators of great experience, wisdom and the ability to teach. A week of learning on a great natural property, about Beauty, Love and Oneness. "
"I cannot recommend Rocky Mountain EcoDharma Retreat Center enough. I had a transformative experience here connecting with the teachers, the other attendees, and the land."
"I attended a week-long retreat (Metta: The Practice of Loving Kindness) that was absolutely life-changing. The location is beautiful and peaceful, the lodge is comfortable and peaceful, and the teaching and meditation were profound."
"My times at this retreat center have been very supportive and enjoyable. I feel like they strike the right balance between nature and comfort in terms of the facility itself, and the center also draws wonderful teachers. "
"Beyond an Amazing experience ! Couldn’t recommend it enough. Truly beautiful humans coming together to practice seeing joy in the everyday. Leaders are truly radiating people with gifted talent in teaching mindfulness. Highlights were the 48 hour solo in the woods and receiving group sessions on working the internal family systems therapy concepts! "
"If you are on the fence about coming here, don't be. Teachers and facilities are exactly what is needed. "
"I had a wonderful experience at a 5 day silent retreat called Budha nature, human nature, nature's nature. We had so many opportunities to walk in silence together and sit while experiencing the wild weather and natural beauty. And the food! It was an epicurean delight of vegan comfort food!!"
"Rochelle and Greg led a retreat that initially felt somewhat light, but in reality, it was very deep. Their gentle guidance help me release deep somatic tensions that i was not aware were there until my body just let go. It is 5 days after the retreat and I still feel fantastic.
The retreat center itself is lovely, the cook provides excellent food and the rooms are very adequate. The grounds of course are beautiful with lots of diversity and places to wander. Five stars. I highly recommend both Rochelle and Greg and echoderma center itself.
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"I love this beautiful Eco Retreat Center located in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado. I live in southern New Mexico, and so it is a long ride to get there...but so very worth it. I have been to 3 different Retreats with all different teachers so far, and have love the depth and dedication of these teachers, their wisdom and their Metta Kindness....Also, some scholarships are available making it more affordable for some people. Ecology and connecting to Nature has been a major focus on these retreats, which I appreciate so much. I highly recommend this Retreat Center."
"This place is magic. I've attended three 5-day retreats there, and each experience has been transformative and taught me so much. Food and staff on-site have always been wonderful. And, the teacher (Barry Gillespie) that I've done all my retreats with is truly amazing!"
"What an amazing place! The land is beautiful and the lodge is clean, comfortable and fully supportive of practice. The food is always great. It truly feels like home and the retreats here are very affordable in comparison to other retreat centers. "
"Gorgeous property, excellent retreat leader, rustic lodge, superb vegetarian food...what more could I want in a retreat?! "
"Did a fantastic retreat here in August 2022 with Rochelle Calvert (https://newmindfullife.com/about/dr-rochelle-calvert/) and Greg Crespo (https://www.awakeinthewild.com/meet-the-teachers/). The retreat location and support staff greatly contributed to a deeply meaningful experience organized by Rochelle and Greg. A quick trip up to Rocky Mountain National Park - consider a few days there before or after - I’d suggest after!"
"Really deepened my knowledge of self here. I learned so much, and the land is beautiful. Accommodations are good- just bring an electric blanket or something to keep warm. The food was bland. It’s a simple place, but very effective and I’ll definitely recommend it to others! Learned so much."
"This was my first retreat and I could not have asked for a better first experience. The beauty of the entire expansion of property including the St. Vrains Creek, comfort of the lodge and bed, food that completely blew away my expectations, the silence that calmed my chattering mind, and the wonderfully skilled and compassionate teachers warrant this review 5+ stars if I could give that rating. Now that I'm back to real life, I am drawing from my experience in a way that carries my quieted mind. I will definitely be back!!!"
"I attended my second (ever) multi-day silent Buddhist meditation retreat and my first retreat at this center in Aug 2022, a 5-day retreat (3 full days, two half days at the beginning and end of the retreat). The covid policy was two negative at-home tests within 24-48 hours of retreat start and masking indoors. Be aware that the gravel parking lot descends on natural stone steps to the lodge, so rolling suitcases would be difficult to get into the lodge, although you can drive down to the lower, small staff parking area to drop off and pick up items, though it's a little tricky to get turned around if that 3-car parking lot is full.
The lodge, built in 1939, is sturdy and the living quarters spartan, but comfortable. With two live-in staff who prepare delicious vegetarian meals, there is a homey, grounded feel to this place. Hot water for tea and coffee is always available, and tea and coffee service is stored in a charming 19th century stove/oven that was on site when the Ecodharma founders purchased this land. There's a small fridge for use by yogis. They are great with accommodating unique food needs; they even had my favorite GF bread, Canyon Bakehouse bread.
All yogis stay on the second and third floors. There is a half-bath on the first floor, and 2 bathrooms with showers on the second floor, and a bathroom with shower on the third floor. The showers on the second floor have surprisingly good (strong) water pressure, and the hot water is HOT.
The weather allowed to us to spend almost all our time outdoors on the land. There's a dirt road nearby that has a low-to-moderate amount of traffic especially on the weekend. I didn't hear any overhead (airplane) noise while there. This made for phenomenal meditation on sound; it was almost all land sounds, punctuated by the occasional car or truck on the dirt road. The landscape is truly stunning. There really are a lot of wildlife; many of us saw a deer with her sweet fauns, moose and their calves, and many smaller creatures.
After my wonderful, tranformational time here, I plan to attend retreats regularly at RMERC."
"I found the teachers and staff to be professional, compassionate, and very qualified to lead this retreat. It was a very meaningful experience for me. It is a beautiful location and memories of certain places are implanted on my brain for future access. What a blessing."
"I attended a retreat at the EcoDharma center in June 2022 and was blown away by the natural beauty of its grounds and warmed by the comforts offered within the cabin onsite (great for a "city kid" like myself). Peter's guidance and the meals and support provided by the thoughtful staff enabled a transformative 6 day retreat. This is such a special place and I feel very fortunate to have spent some time here."
"The environment was wonderful and inspirational. Peter Williams is a world class leader. I can’t recommend this place any more highly!"
"This was my first practice of Theravada and Barry was great with being patient and encouraging me though my retreat journey I was excited everyday for the dharma talk to learn more the house guests were amazing and friendly the food was great , cabin was clean the area was magical so many beautiful scenes and wildlife I would truly recommend whether you are practicing mindfulness or looking for a way to disconnect and find your peace "
"This retreat, lead by David Chernikoff, exceeded any expectations I might have had going into it. David is clearly a very knowledgable, compassionate and seasoned facilitator of such retreats. I very much benefitted from his combination of clear instructions, group guided meditations, dharma talks, Q and A's and experiential exercises - both in break out groups, and time to reflect and write on a topic or questions. I highly recommend David and plan to return for more of his offerings."
"This weekend I attended the virtual retreat titled Grief, Joy and Awakening lead by David Chernikoff and gained so much from the experience. After having dabbled in meditation and Buddhist teachings all my life, I sincerely started practicing meditation regularly the past 4 years and started studying Buddhist principles and learning from Insight meditation teachers the past 2 years. This weekend really reinforced and strengthened my knowing that this path to awakening in each moment feels very satisfying and quite revolutionary personally. David is grounded, funny, very knowledgable and inspirational. He created a safe and dynamic space to learn about Buddhist practices and to expand and develop myself as a person. This was my second 3 day retreat with him, and I am walking away with more clarity, peace, healing and understanding about myself and the Buddhist path than ever. "
"The retreat with Barry Gillespie this past week was profound and transformative. He is an excellent teacher. The RMERC space is beautiful as well, and Lily & Kayla were exceptional hosts and cooks. Thank you for everything, and will be back again soon!"
"Viviane truly lives the 14 Mindfulness Precepts. She is so thoughtful and caring and listens deeply. She created a memorable experience!"
"This is a magical and special place to gather. It is a wonderful immersion in Mother Nature! Lily and Kayla are great cooks and made our stay special!"
"I highly recommend any retreat where Ms. Ephraimson-Abt is the dharma teacher. A wise, kind, compassionate teacher."
"A fabulous location center. Fantastic views. Delicious food. Beautiful building."
"What a magical place just to be. "
"I've been learning from Johann for about five years, and the impact on my life created by his teaching has been very positive. His insights into the experiential and practical side of mediation make it very accessible and direct. "