<div class="text-align-center"><em>Colorado Continues To Lead The Way In Sustainable Tourism</em></div>

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<div><strong>DENVER,&nbsp;March 12, 2025 </strong>– The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), is excited to announce the launch of its new <a href="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/1/eb8f1ea268b28e397b6c6b264619e402239bd5a3808f3ff286c09615fc5157dd?cache_buster=1746565271" title="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/1/eb8f1ea268b28e397b6c6b264619e402239bd5a3808f3ff286c09615fc5157dd?cache_buster=1746565271">Climate Champions Program</a>, a pilot initiative in partnership with <a href="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/2/f9a76781af5ebae6f46206e4ea98b92eaf9dc0e803d67bc4712e4da7442cddce?cache_buster=1746565271" title="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/2/f9a76781af5ebae6f46206e4ea98b92eaf9dc0e803d67bc4712e4da7442cddce?cache_buster=1746565271">The Travel Foundation</a>. This program directly results from the <a href="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/3/bf025de0eae813d8ef762cc2e5ee1db0129d57d12b6ea7023f82c5ab77d95fcf?cache_buster=1746565271" title="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/3/bf025de0eae813d8ef762cc2e5ee1db0129d57d12b6ea7023f82c5ab77d95fcf?cache_buster=1746565271">Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan</a> and provides education and expertise to Colorado destination organizations seeking guidance on climate action planning for the tourism industry.</div>

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<div><strong>"The Climate Champions Program is a crucial step forward for Colorado tourism. By empowering our destinations to create tailored climate action plans, we're not only supporting local economies but also ensuring the long-term sustainability of our state's incredible natural resources. This program will help us protect what makes Colorado special for generations to come,”</strong> said OEDIT Executive Director, Eve Lieberman.</div>

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<div>Through the Climate Champions Program, Colorado continues to be a leader in sustainable tourism as the program highlights the critical role the tourism industry plays in climate action planning and resiliency. The Aspen Chamber Resort Association, Snowmass Tourism, the Town of Mount Crested Butte, and Visit Durango, are the selected organizations participating in the program.</div>

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<div><strong>"We at CTO are incredibly excited to introduce the Climate Champions Program. This pilot initiative reflects our commitment to inspiring responsible travel while protecting Colorado’s natural and cultural resources,”</strong> said CTO Director Timothy Wolfe. <strong>“By taking a forward-thinking approach, we are laying the groundwork for visitors and residents alike to ‘Do Colorado Right’ for generations to come."</strong></div>

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<div>The program will provide participants with essential tools, education, and expertise to develop and implement climate action strategies tailored to their destinations. This includes: access to the climate action online course developed by The Travel Foundation, companion workbook exercises for applied learning, virtual peer learning sessions with all participating organizations, and a dedicated coach to support the development of a climate action plan and implementation.</div>

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<div><strong>About the Colorado Tourism Office</strong></div>

<div>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 2023, Colorado travelers spent $28.2 billion, generating $1.8 billion in local and state revenues, reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $800. For more information, please visit <a href="http://www.colorado.com" title="http://www.colorado.com/">www.colorado.com</a>.</div>

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<div><strong>About Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade</strong></div>

<div>The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado’s economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more about <a href="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/4/d8709f06e51c7a833403e962c4be9653c28c64e88eb82ed7005c7117d79f2bfc?cache_buster=1746565271" title="https://tracking.us.nylas.com/l/5179568017c04218b45aa5c41325bc8f/4/d8709f06e51c7a833403e962c4be9653c28c64e88eb82ed7005c7117d79f2bfc?cache_buster=1746565271">OEDIT</a>.</div>

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