Colorado Tourism Office Awards $358,720 in Tourism Management Grants to 22 Industry Organizations Across the State

Funds will support Colorado industry partners seeking to advance tourism management and destination stewardship.

April 6, 2023, DENVER -- The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today the 22 recipients of its Tourism Management Grant. The Tourism Management Grant provides funding for tourism-related projects that develop, enhance or manage visitor experiences in Colorado. This program is offered annually through the CTO.

“The projects funded through this grant support building a stronger Colorado tourism economy aligned with community needs and interests,” said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman. “These funds provide vital support to tourism industry partners in every region of the state and strengthens Colorado’s competitive advantage.”

The Tourism Management Grant awardees are:

Canyons & Plains of Southeast Colorado Regional Heritage Taskforce ($20,000) to enhance visitor trip planning through the creation of a Santa Fe Trail State Scenic and Historic Byway microsite.
Cheyenne County ($12,000) to conduct a hotel feasibility study to foster tourism growth in Cheyenne County.
City of Ouray ($8,670) to launch a Do Ouray Right ambassador program to encourage responsible and respectful tourism.
City of Trinidad ($14,400) to construct wayfinding signage, wildlife educational signage and benches for wildlife viewing to increase visitor access and engagement.
Clear Creek County Tourism Bureau ($20,000) to install an interactive visitor information kiosk at the Idaho Springs micro-information center that encourages responsible and respectful use, while providing information on local businesses and outdoor recreation opportunities.
Colorado Agritourism Association ($12,000) to enhance the current Colorado Agritourism Association website to highlight agritourism businesses and implement expanded industry outreach to make these tools available broadly.
Colorado Springs Convention & Visitor Bureau ($20,000) to foster inclusive travel by increasing access to detailed, accurate accessibility information before visiting Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak Region.
Colorado Wine Industry Development Board ($20,000) to conduct advertising research to attract more visitors to Colorado wineries, expand the visitor experiences in both urban and rural areas, and connect winery visitors with other activities in proximity to wineries they visit.
Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce ($20,000) to install an interactive visitor information kiosk at the Crested Butte Visitor Center that increases access to visitor information and enhances the visitor experience.
Fremont County Tourism Council ($20,000) to develop low-impact biking experiences by curating a series of mountain bike rides on a digital platform that includes responsible and respectful use messaging, and connects riders to local businesses.
Gilpin County ($20,000) to enhance the visitor experience through the curation of the Gilpin County Heritage Route that includes interpretive signage and a map.
Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association ($20,000) to install digital wayfinding and interactive kiosks at the Glenwood Springs Visitor Center that increases access to visitor information, enhances the visitor experience, and encourages responsible and respectful use.
Grand County Colorado Tourism Board ($20,000) to launch a tourism business and workforce training program to provide tools and industry knowledge that improves their online profiles and promotes positive, cohesive visitor experiences.
Hinsdale County ($14,000) to develop a strategic plan for tourism and marketing for Lake City and Hinsdale County that fosters a cohesive strategy for driving year-round tourism opportunities.
Kiowa County Economic Development Foundation ($13,875) to develop a community-based tourism strategic plan that will promote sustainable tourism practices and advance the economic well-being of Kiowa County.
Lake County ($14,775) to support the implementation of the Friends of Lake County trailhead ambassador program through volunteer program development, volunteer coordination and training, education and community outreach.
Morgan County Economic Development ($8,600) to install informational signage at three visitor center locations in Morgan County that increases access to visitor information and enhances the visitor experience.
Prairie Development Corp. ($12,400) to develop an ambassador training program for the Colorado Central Plains region that includes information on visitor experiences and local businesses unique to the region.
San Luis Valley Tourism Association ($20,000) to develop a cohesive visitor guide for the San Luis Valley that further enhances campaigns around The Million Dollar Shot, Dark Skies Initiative and Do SLV Right.
Town of Lyons ($18,000) to develop a wayfinding strategic plan for the Town of Lyons that better connects visitors to local businesses and experiences.
Town of Nederland ($20,000) to develop a brand identity and visitor education campaign for the Town of Nederland that reflects the community's sense of place and core values.
Yuma County ($10,000) to curate an experiential guide that highlights agritourism opportunities in Yuma County.

“This grant further demonstrates the Colorado Tourism Office’s commitment to advancing tourism management and destination stewardship efforts by partnering with industry and community leaders across Colorado,” said CTO Director Timothy Wolfe. “There is not a one-size-fits-all approach to tourism in our state and this program allows the Colorado tourism industry to continue to evolve, implement new ideas and establish stronger resiliency.”

Grant recipients were selected by an evaluation committee that applied a competitive process based on alignment with the eligible use of funds, the ability to advance the selection criteria, demonstrated need, organizational capacity and availability of matching funds. The maximum grant amount for this program is $20,000 and the required match is 4:1. Projects that advance off-peak tourism opportunities, foster inclusive travel opportunities, encourage responsible and respectful use, champion the value of tourism, advance the tourism workforce, or develop and enhance visitor experience were given additional consideration.

For more information on the program please visit www.oedit.colorado.gov/tourism-management-grant.

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About the Colorado Tourism Office
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 2021, Colorado travelers spent $22.5 billion, generating $1.5 billion in local and state revenues, reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $690. For more information, please visit www.colorado.com.