THE RITZ-CARLTON, DENVER VOLUNTEERS TACKLE ONE OF COLORADO'S MOST NOXIOUS WEEDS

Give Back Getaways team assists in Boulder's Open Space

DENVER, Colorado - April 23, 2008 - Volunteers from The Ritz-Carlton, Denver and Wildlands Restoration Volunteers teamed up recently to remove one of Colorado's most noxious weeds, the myrtle spurge.
In an effort to restore and care for the land, The Ritz-Carlton's group spent the day at Spring Brook on City of Boulder Open Space working with rubber gloves, goggles and tools to remove the invasive myrtle spurge. The weed is a top priority for eradication in the state and when left unchecked, can crowd out native plants and degrade wildlife habitat. The long and tangled web of the plant must be removed at the deep roots or it simply grows back again.
The volunteer effort is part of The Ritz-Carlton's Give Back Getaways Program, which is a "voluntourism" global program that allows hotel guests and employees to participate in giving back to the communities where hotels are located.

"I believe we are expecting more volunteer groups from The Ritz-Carlton for three more of our upcoming volunteer projects. We very much look forward to this collaboration," says Ed Self, executive director of Wildlands Restoration Volunteers ( www.wlrv.org).

The upcoming Give Back Getaways include:
•May 10th, 2008 - Boulder Prairie Restoration (Mother's Day)
•June 14th, 2008 - Kenosha Wetland Creation (Father's Day)
•September 17th, 2008 - Left Hand Canyon Protection Barrier
Hotel guests can find details and book a Give Back Getaway hotel package through www.ritzcarlton.com.

The Ritz-Carlton Hotel Company, L.L.C. of Chevy Chase, Md operates 70 hotels in the Americas, Europe, Asia, The Middle East, and Africa. More than 30 projects are under development around the globe with future openings including Rancho Mirage, Mexico City, and Cap Cana (Dominican Republic). The Ritz-Carlton is the only service company to have twice earned the prestigious Malcolm Baldrige, National Quality Award, which recognizes outstanding customer service. For more information or reservations contact a travel professional, The Ritz-Carlton U.S. toll free reservations line at 1 (800) 241-3333, or visit the company web site at www.ritzcarlton.com.