Innovative State Program to Enhance Tourism Development in Eight Colorado Communities

[DENVER, CO, July 18, 2024] — The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) announced today the selection of the eight participants for the second annual Destination Blueprint program. Building on the foundations laid by the Destination Stewardship Strategic Planning Initiative, the Destination Blueprint program underscores the CTO's dedication to responsible tourism and community collaboration. This program serves as an extended strategy and implementation team for Colorado destination organizations, fostering alignment between local tourism stakeholders and advancing priority tourism projects across the state.&nbsp;

“As we continue with our Destination Stewardship Strategic Planning Initiative, the Destination Blueprint program exemplifies our commitment to advancing destination stewardship and responsible tourism throughout Colorado,” said Colorado Tourism Office Director Timothy Wolfe.&nbsp; This program allows us to collaborate with local communities, ensuring that tourism development aligns with our goals of enhancing resident quality of life and fostering vibrant communities.”

Awarded destinations include:

<ul>
	<li>City of La Junta</li>
	<li>City of Monte Vista&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Fremont County Tourism Council</li>
	<li>Grand County Colorado Tourism Board</li>
	<li>Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board</li>
	<li>Manitou Springs CC Visitors Bureau&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
	<li>Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce</li>
	<li>Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

Participating destinations will be paired with a CTO designated tourism consultant that they will collaborate with to conduct an assessment of the destination, lead a community visioning and action planning workshop and implement 100 hours of project-based consulting. As a result, each organization will receive a stakeholder-driven action plan and advancement of priority initiatives within the plan.

This is the second year for the Destination Blueprint Program, which offers an opportunity for destinations across Colorado to join the CTO in its effort to advance destination stewardship and economic development. Involved destinations will adopt recommendations identified from the Destination Stewardship Strategic Planning Initiative to incorporate into their own strategic plan. A focus on striking a balance between driving visitation and enhancing residential quality of life is central to these offerings. Common focus areas include:

<ul>
	<li>Encouraging responsible and respectful use&nbsp; by inspiring visitors to engage in low-impact travel within Colorado, such as launching a customized Do Colorado Right campaign or advancing climate action strategies</li>
	<li>Fostering inclusive travel opportunities by developing strategies and resources to ensure your destination is welcoming and accessible to everyone</li>
	<li>Developing and enhancing visitor experience by launching new offerings like agritourism trails, stargazing activities and gravel adventure guides</li>
</ul>

Organizations were able to apply for this program May 9, 2023 through June 22, 2023. Each applying destination was required to identify one or more local champions to serve as the lead applicant. As a condition to participate in the program, local champions must commit to at least 50 hours of work throughout the duration of the 11-month program. The program will kick off in August 2024 and conclude in June 2025. For more information about the Destination Blueprint program, please visit the program website, <a href="https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-tourism-office/destination-blueprint">oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-tourism-office/destination-blueprint</a>.&nbsp;

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About the Colorado Tourism Office:&nbsp;

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. The CTO seeks to advance the strength and resilience of the entire industry through collaboration, inclusivity, innovation and leadership. In 2022, Colorado travelers spent $27.7 billion, generating $1.7 billion in local and state revenues, reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $760. For more information, please visit <a href="https://www.colorado.com/">www.colorado.com</a>.