As winter settles here into Colorado, many people start to feel that familiar seasonal slump. Fatigue creeps in, headaches arrive out of nowhere, and energy dips just as the holiday pace accelerates. For Nicole Poel, nurse-turned-owner of Hydrate IV Bar, none of this is surprising. “Hydration is one of the biggest struggles people face this time of year,” she says. “Living at altitude in Colorado, we’re already playing catch-up. Add in the holidays... salty food, alcohol, travel, and our bodies just can’t keep up.”
Nicole spent years working in the emergency room before opening Hydrate IV Bar with her husband, Kevin, a pharmacist. That medical foundation shapes everything she does now. “In the ER, almost everyone who walked through the door got a bag of fluids,” she explains. “Trauma, GI illness, pneumonia—it didn’t matter. Hydration helped people perk up, stabilize, and recover. Now I get to offer that same support on the proactive side of healthcare instead of the reactive side.”
At Hydrate IV Bar’s warm, spa-like location, hydration isn’t just an afterthought, it’s a foundation for everyday wellness. As Nicole puts it, “Dehydration causes fatigue, headaches, low energy. People walk around thinking being tired all the time is normal, like it’s just a part of adulthood. It’s not. We’re not supposed to feel exhausted every day.”
The coldest months are often when wellness routines start to wobble, which is why Nicole recommends a simple, sustainable approach. “If you can come in once a month for an IV, it helps keep your hydration and vitamin levels steady,” she says. “When you do it regularly, you start to feel the benefits long-term. Sleep improves, your immunity strengthens, you feel more energized.”
Hydrate IV Bar offers a wide range of IV “cocktails,” each designed to support different wellness needs throughout the year. Among their most popular options is the Immunity IV, a winter staple infused with a double dose of vitamin C, zinc, and magnesium. This is ideal for anyone beginning to feel run down during the cold and flu season. For those training through the off-season, the Athletic Performance IV provides targeted support to enhance recovery and stamina. The Myers Cocktail blends eight essential vitamins and nutrients that help boost energy, improve sleep, and strengthen overall wellness. The Jet Lag IV is great for those traveling to warmer locations over the winter months. And for newcomers, the Recovery IV is a discounted introductory option frequently chosen by guests recovering from a GI illness or bouncing back from holiday indulgence. These are just a few examples of the many specialized IVs Hydrate IV Bar offers to meet clients where they are and help them feel their best, especially during the demanding winter months.
“When you start to feel that tickle in your throat... the one where you think, ‘Oh no, I’m going down,' that’s the exact moment to come in,” Nicole says. “If people can get an IV within that first 24 hours, they can often turn it around completely.”
She’s seen it firsthand with her own family. “My four kids bring home every germ imaginable,” she laughs. “The second I feel that ache or scratchy throat, I’ll do an IV. Every time I’ve been able to catch it early, I either don’t get sick, or I get far less sick than I would have.”
Nicole’s medical background also shapes how she talks to clients about supplements. “Oral vitamins aren’t regulated by the FDA, and they’re only about 30–50% bioavailable because they go through your digestive tract,” she explains. “With injections or IVs, the vitamins are 100% bioavailable. Your body gets exactly what’s listed.”
For clients who are hesitant about needles or have tricky veins, Nicole reassures them. “We offer vitamin injections too. They do everything the IVs do, you just don’t get the hydration piece. A quick shot takes under a minute.”
Her team uses vitamins sourced from 503B pharmacies regulated by the FDA. “There are a lot of eyes on the injectable products we use,” Nicole says. “Safety is a non-negotiable for us. Our tagline is ‘wellness from within,’ and we take that seriously.”
“If people can get an IV within that first 24 hours, they can often turn it around completely.”