Denver, Colo. - Nov. 19, 2020 - While the holidays will look very different this year and folks may not be able to travel to celebrate in-person, finding that perfect gift for a loved one is a tried and true way to show them you care during these challenging times—especially with a gift inspired by Colorado. Support the state’s local economy, crafters and producers while finding the perfect gift for everyone on your list. For more information, please visit Colorado.com/explore.

DENVER - Governor Polis and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) today announced #ShopLocalColorado to support Colorado small businesses in advance of the holiday shopping season.

Prowers County Lodging Tax Panel (PCLTP), in the Canyons and Plains travel region, was awarded a Colorado Rural Academny for Tourism (CRAFT) Recovery Mentor program by the Colorado Tourism Office in fall 2020 to advance recovery efforts related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Lake County Tourism Panel (LCTP) was awarded a Colorado Rural Academy for Tourism (CRAFT) Recovery Mentor program by the Colorado Tourism Office in fall 2020.

The city of La Junta was awarded a CRAFT Studio 101 program by the Colorado Tourism Office in fall 2018. The objectives of this CRAFT Studio 101 program were to develop new branding and marketing to drive overnight visitor stays. Program objectives included:

The Colorado Tourism Office’s new fiscal year began on July 1, and our public relations staff and contractors have been busy measuring their successes from the past year and compiling their public relations plan for last fiscal year (July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020). Below outlines highlights as well as ways the industry can get involved.

Grand County was awarded a CRAFT Studio 101 program by the Colorado Tourism Office in winter 2019. Program objectives included:

Alamosa County was awarded a CRAFT Studio 101 program by the Colorado Tourism Office in winter 2019. Program objectives included:

Statewide Visitation Up 2%, With Discretionary Leisure Travel Up 7%, highlights from “Colorado Travel Year 2019,” Longwoods International, June 2020

In 2019, Colorado welcomed a combined total of 86.9 million overnight and day visitors, up 2 percent from 2018. These included a record 39.0 million overnight visitors, up 3 percent from 37.8 million in 2018.

Day travel to and within Colorado also increased in 2019 to 47.9 million trips, up 1 percent from 2018. About 60 percent of Colorado day-trippers are Coloradans.

Snowmass Tourism, in the Roaring Fork Valley and Rockies Playground travel region, was awarded a Colorado Rural Academy for Tourism (CRAFT) Recovery Mentor program by the Colorado Tourism Office in fall 2020.