Colorado Tourism Office

Applications for Destination Mentor open soon! The CTO is accepting applications starting Septemeber 17. Join us for an informational webinar on September 17 at noon to learn more about this Destination Development program. Secure your spot now and gain insights into this opportunity for Colorado destination organizations. Information about the Destination Development Mentor program and registration for next week's webinar:

Applications Open Soon for Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program: On September 10th the CTO will begin accepting applications for the Dark Sky Certification Mentor Program. Participants in the program will receive 70 hours of free consulting from DarkSky Colorado to implement activities that reduce light pollution and protect access to Colorado’s incredible night skies. Successful implementation will increase Colorado’s competitive edge as a destination and provide a wealth of benefits for Colorado communities. Five partners will be selected to receive 70 hours of consulting to advance International Dark Sky Certification. If you're pursuing dark sky certification, or interested in starting the process, this program is ideal for you. Register from the link below to attend an informational webinar on September 10, 2024 at 12 p.m. A recording of the webinar will be shared with all registrants.

The Colorado Tourism Office Launches New Partner Program To Expand Accessibility  The Colorado Tourism Office is thrilled to launch the Accessible Travel Program in partnership with Wheel The World! This pilot initiative aims to amplify accessible spaces in destinations across Colorado by providing on-site assessments, training for hospitality professionals, and a booking solution for verified sites. To educate our partners about this new pilot program, the CTO is hosting an informational webinar on August 27 at 12:00pm. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gTschUuv

The Colorado Tourism Office returned from the 2024 ESTO conference as a Mercury Award winner! The CTO’s Music Shines Brighter campaign won the category “Integrated Marketing and Messaging Campaign: Overall Marketing Budget Less Than $10 Million.” With the campaign generating 24 million total impressions the CTO was able to increase visitation and economic impact from major music venues in the state. Thank you to the ESTO award committee for recognizing these incredible efforts! #ESTO2024 U.S. Travel Association

2023 Colorado Tourism Research Results & Key Findings Announced: Earlier today, the Colorado Tourism Office announced the 2023 annual tourism research reports and key findings for the Centennial State. Colorado's tourism industry generated $28.2 billion in travel spending, welcomed 93.3 million visitors, and created approximately 9,450 new jobs in 2023. These impressive figures reflect the hard work of everyone in the industry and highlight the importance of tourism in Colorado. Read the full press release for more details.  

Boulder Announced as Finalist to Host Sundance Festival:  Last week, the Sundance Institute announced that Boulder, Colorado has been selected as a finalist to host the Sundance Film Festival starting in 2027! If selected, hosting the Festival in Colorado will create new jobs, attract out-of-state visitors, and boost winter tourism that will support small businesses in Boulder and surrounding areas while elevating Colorado’s creative industries. To learn more about this announcement, click below.

Announcing the 2024 Destination Blueprint Program Participants: Eight Colorado communities have been selected to join this innovative CTO program, which supports local tourism development through strategic planning and community collaboration. These communities will work closely with CTO-designated tourism consultants to enhance local tourism development, ensuring it aligns with the goals of improving resident quality of life and fostering vibrant communities. Awarded destinations include: • City of La Junta • City of Monte Vista • Fremont County Tourism Council • Grand County Colorado Tourism Board • Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board • Manitou Springs CC Visitors Bureau  • Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce • Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce For more information about the Destination Blueprint program, visit https://lnkd.in/gr2-J4Vz. 

Last week, the Mesa County Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) hosted their annual Volunteer Picnic where the Fruita Welcome Center was honored as winner of the Agency of the Year Award. This board voted award is a testament to the the commitment and effort exhibited by every member of the Fruita Welcome Center Team. In addition to this award, Fruita Welcome Center volunteer, Joy Bush, was honored as Volunteer of the Year after accumulating 14,000 volunteer hours, 3,600 of which were at the Fruita Welcome Center alone. On behalf of the CTO, congratulations to the Fruita Welcome Center team for these well-deserved awards!

As we gear up for Memorial Day weekend and celebrate National Travel and Tourism Week, let's ensure our epic Colorado adventures are both thrilling and respectful, embracing the spirit of responsible tourism. The Colorado Tourism Office’s brand new Do Colorado Right video focuses on water safety tips ahead of the summer season , including the importance of wearing a life jacket and being prepared. Check out www.DoColoradoRight.com for more insider tips on making the most of your Centennial State explorations. Let's make this holiday weekend an absolute blast while being mindful of our state's amazing treasures. #DoColoradoRight #VisitColorado #NTTW24 https://lnkd.in/gic_dzry

Travel is essential to every state and countless destinations across the nation, just like here in Colorado. Travel is an industry that powers our economy and connects our communities. #NTTW24