Pikes Peak Wonders Priority Strategies

• Establish a Pikes Peak Wonders Regional Destination Stewardship Network, supported by CADMO and DMOs, to meet quarterly in person to exchange ideas, share progress on stewardship initiatives, and advance collaborative actions.
• Develop and distribute educational materials on creating sustainable organizational structures at local and regional levels.
• Explore and implement new local funding strategies while advocating for expanded state-level funding sources.
• Identify grant opportunities to address regional priorities and foster collaborative proposal development.
• Share CTO and OEDIT resources with tourism organizations throughout the region and encourage partnerships to support shared industry priorities.

• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• CADMO
• Colorado Main Street program

• Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance demonstrates how organizations can combine resources and leverage local capacity more effectively for projects.
• Roaring Fork Valley Destination Alliance is an example of tourism leaders coming together to collaborate for a shared destination vision.

• Number of destination partners reporting increased organizational capacity and/or new sustainable funding mechanisms implemented
• Number of regional projects implemented through DMO partnerships
• Amount of grant funds secured through regional DMO partnerships for destination stewardship projects

Participate in local DMO programs and events, volunteer on a local tourism board, and support activities that foster a collaborative environment to strengthen destination stewardship.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Local Tourism Businesses and Organizations
  • 1: Provide Support to Rural Tourism Organizations
  • 2: Strengthen Destination Management/Marketing Organizations Across the State

• CTO, CADMO, DMOs, chambers of commerce

• Launch a regional education campaign showcasing the economic benefits of tourism, including stories about how tourism dollars support local communities and public lands. Highlight preserved attractions, maintained recreation sites, and cultural celebrations.
• Expand upon the CTO’s Value of Tourism campaign and video to increase awareness of tourism’s indispensable role in the local economy.
• Develop and share educational materials with government officials, business owners, and residents illustrating the benefits of visitor-generated tax revenues in supporting local communities and reducing the tax burden through funding community improvement projects.
• Engage local communities in the tourism planning and decision-making process, with their perspectives and needs helping to shape tourism initiatives. Engagement examples include establishing community advisory boards; hosting public forums and workshops; developing online engagement platforms; and creating community feedback mechanisms.

• Envision Chaffee County’s public engagement process to create and implement the Envision Chaffee Community Action Plan is a regional example of community participation.
• Restart Destinations Success Story: Fremont County Tourism Council provides an overview of Fremont County Tourism Council’s participation in CTO destination development programming to help champion the value of tourism locally.
• Visit Denver’s Tourism Pays campaign showcases how tourism spending positively impacts businesses and residents throughout the state from an economic and quality of life perspective.

• Number of community engagement sessions held to gather input on tourism planning
• Reduction in perceived negative impacts of tourism reported in resident sentiment surveys
• Increase in community support of tourism reported in resident sentiment surveys

Engage with local DMOs to develop tourism strategies that integrate diverse perspectives, preserving and celebrating community characteristics. Highlight the positive impacts of tourism for residents and visitors.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Communities
  • 1: Prioritize Local Community Involvement in Tourism Planning
  • 2: Increase Knowledge on the Value of Tourism for Residents

• CTO, CADMO, Department of Local Affairs (DOLA), DMOs, chambers of commerce, local governments

• Collaborate with PPORA to advance the Pikes Peak Outdoors Initiative strategic plan and engage stakeholders.
• Support ongoing efforts to develop and implement the plan through funding, in-kind contributions, and partnerships.
• Participate in regular roundtable meetings and collaborative planning sessions.
• Support Envision Chaffee County in implementing its Community Action Plan and actively engage stakeholders to drive collective impact.
• Explore opportunities to expand existing regional outdoor recreation management programs to encompass additional counties or establish new leadership structures to support underrepresented areas. This may include a new Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) working group for Lower Arkansas River destinations in Fremont and Pueblo Counties.
• Expand Do Colorado Right Campaigns throughout the region incorporating principles informed by input from land managers, tourism professionals, and local communities.
• Encourage all municipalities/counties in the region to establish or update their emergency management communication plans, ensuring tourism leaders understand their role in communicating with visitors, tourism businesses, and community members.
• Improve regional fire prevention education to visitors and residents through signage at visitor centers, shopping areas and public kiosks, as well as increased social media posts during high season.
• Incorporate more backcountry safety education and information, such as trailhead signage around avalanche safety.
• Strengthen partnerships between land managers and volunteer organizations to develop and promote volunteer opportunities.
• Develop a Pikes Peak Outdoors Volunteer webpage featuring opportunities with “Friends Of” organizations and other regional volunteer opportunities.
• Support Trails and Open Space Coalition projects to connect volunteers with opportunities to maintain trails, greenways and open space.
• Monitor existing timed-entry permits and reservation systems (including Pikes Peak-America’s Mountain and Manitou Incline) and assess visitor impacts at popular recreation areas to explore the potential adoption of new visitor management systems.

• Pikes Peak Outdoors Initiative
• Envision Chaffee County initiatives
• Colorado Outdoor Recreation Office OREC Rural Technical Assistance program
• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• CPW’s Outdoor Regional Partnership Initiative

• Pikes Peak Outdoors Initiative is the result of work conducted by the CPW Working Group and Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance to foster collaborative outdoor recreation management across the region.
• Envision Chaffee County demonstrates the value of the “Common Ground” tax and how best to utilize public funds for outdoor recreation management.
• Do Woodland Park Right is an example of a community participating in a CTO Destination Development program to create a local Do Colorado Right campaign.
• Manitou Cares presents how Manitou Springs took their own approach to educating residents and visitors about responsible and respectful use.

• Number of community engagement sessions held to gather input on tourism planning
• Reduction in perceived negative impacts of tourism reported in resident sentiment surveys
• Increase in community support of tourism reported in resident sentiment surveys

Facilitate and engage in meaningful discussions on sustainable outdoor recreation management to support the conservation of Colorado’s natural landscapes. Lead educational campaigns promoting responsible outdoor behavior among visitors.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Outdoor Recreation
  • 1: Expand Do Colorado Right Campaigns on Public Lands
  • 2: Facilitate and Convene Collaborative Outdoor Management Discussions
  • 3: Identify the Need for Timed Entry Permit Systems and Seasonal Closures
  • 6: Expand Trail Ambassador and Volunteer Initiatives
  • 10: Provide Education on Responsible Backcountry Vehicle Use
• Experiencing
• 1: Optimize Do Colorado Right Messaging in the Destination

• OREC, CPW, Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), PPORA, Envision Chaffee County, Bureau of Land Management (BLM), National Park Service (NPS), US Forest Service Ranger Districts

• Mitigate human-wildlife conflicts through the implementation of secure trash solutions, visitor awareness campaigns, education programs, increased wildlife crossing signage, and adjustments to speed limits where necessary.
• Collaborate with hunting and fishing communities to promote sustainable best practices.
• Enhance partnerships between CPW and local hunting and fishing associations.
• Create and launch educational programs and workshops aimed at improving wildlife regulations.
• Encourage hunters and anglers to participate in certification programs that demonstrate their adherence to sustainability standards.
• Promote responsible hunting and fishing opportunities to visitors, highlighting ethical practices and conservation efforts.
• Foster ethical wildlife viewing by sharing local guidelines, based on CPW resources, with residents and local businesses.
• Building on the Chaffee County Recreation Council’s leadership with their Decision Tools for Recreation, advocate for wildlife habitat protection by supporting habitat monitoring programs. These programs provide critical data to inform strategic tourism regulations and implement seasonal access restrictions, safeguarding wildlife migration, mating, and nesting zones.

• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• CPW Wildlife Viewing Guidelines
• CPW’s Human-Bear Conflict Reduction grant
• CPW’s Habitat Partnership program
• CPW’s Wildlife Rehabilitation grant program
• Colorado Wildlife Habitat ​program
• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Clean Vessel Act grant program​
• Ranching for Wildlife program
• Colorado Wetlands Partnership
• Chaffee County Recreation Council Wildlife Decision Tools for Recreation

• Chaffee County Recreation Council Wildlife Decision Tools for Recreation identify areas that are most important to protect, enhance, or restore, including areas where current recreation needs to be carefully managed to support wildlife.
• Summit County Safe Passages Connectivity Plan for Wildlife identifies human-wildlife conflicts on the Vail Pass and includes monitoring and mitigation projects.
• Wintering Wildlife Conservation Initiative is a Colorado initiative and media toolkit focused on limiting impacts to wintering wildlife.
• The Eagle County Community Wildlife Roundtable gathers diverse stakeholders in the valley for the shared purpose of understanding and addressing issues faced by local wildlife populations.

• Number of human-wildlife conflicts
• Year-over-year number of wildlife viewing guides and ethical viewing educational materials distributed
• Number of businesses adopting sustainable fishing and hunting operations
• Reach and impact of marketing campaigns to promote responsible hunting and fishing practices
• Percentage of habitat conserved and improved in the region
• Value of investment in habitat protection and restoration

Engage in reducing human-wildlife conflicts through infrastructure improvements and visitor education. Expand the distribution of CPW guidelines for ethical wildlife viewing to educate visitors on respectful behavior. Advocate for wildlife habitat conservation and promote responsible wildlife viewing tours and activities.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Wildlife and Biodiversity
  • 2: Create Wildlife Viewing Guides and Encourage Ethical Viewing
  • 3: Reduce Human-Wildlife Conflicts
  • 4: Champion Wildlife Habitat Protection and Restoration
  • 7: Collaborate with Hunting and Fishing Communities for Sustainable Practices
• Climate
• 8: Champion Natural Habitat Restoration

• CPW, CTO, CDOT, conservation districts, DMOs, local and Tribal governments

• Develop a regional digital guide featuring low-impact experiences. Providers must meet criteria demonstrating minimal environmental impact, celebrate local culture and wildlife, and benefit local communities.
• Collaborate with local industry associations and DMOs to promote guided experiences showcasing the unique expertise of local guides, highlighting hidden gems, and promoting responsible visitor behavior.
• Encourage guides to pursue professional development in sustainable practices through programs such as CTO Learning Labs, Care for Colorado Coalition, Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) training, Colorado Alliance for Environmental Education, and World Travel and Tourism Council’s (WTTC) “Guardians of Nature” resources.
• Advocate for responsible trail connectivity initiatives, including the integration of community trails with surrounding public land networks, the inclusion of public transportation options to trailheads, enhanced wayfinding and interpretive signage along trail systems, and increased funding for ongoing trail maintenance.
• Promote low-impact travel experiences by creating and advertising itineraries focused on electric vehicle infrastructure, enhancing visibility and accessibility of transportation to lesser-known attractions, and developing web pages and social media campaigns for car-free experiences.
• Support Dark Sky preservation and experiences primarily in Custer, Fremont, and Chaffee counties by encouraging more destinations to participate in the Colorado Dark Sky Certification program and developing and promoting experiences that foster stewardship of the night sky.

• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Learning Labs
• Care for Colorado Coalition
• ATTA training
• WTTC Nature Positive Toolkit
• CPW’s Non-Motorized Trails grant program
• CDOT Office of Innovative Mobility grants
• CTO’s Dark Sky Certification Mentor program
• OREC Rural Technical Assistance program

• The Pueblo Riverwalk is an example of a multi-experiential attraction that can be reached through public transportation, includes retail and dining opportunities and serves as a connector for other attractions and experiences locally.
• Leadville Camp and Run is an example of an annual regenerative tourism experience, organized through local partnerships, that offers participants outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, running, swimming, and paddling as well as hands-on service projects, and the opportunity to try new products gifted from outdoor apparel companies.
• Dark Skies of the Wet Mountain Valley provides unique astrotourism opportunities that educate visitors and promote environmental conservation.
• Fremont Peak Connection Trail with Freemont Adventure Recreation (FAR) is a local example of trail projects that improve local well-being and increase responsible visitor experiences.
• Pikes Peak Summit Visitor Center is one of the leading sustainable attractions in the area and provides an example of how tourism facilities can reduce greenhouse gas emissions without compromising visitor experiences and services.

• Number of guiding permits issued on public lands
• Percentage of visitors reporting to use a guide
• Number of tourism professionals trained in wildlife conservation education
• Number of organizations and businesses that sign up to become a “Guardian of Nature” and use the WTTC toolkit
• Number of new or improved trail connectivity projects that prioritize sustainable access
• Number of new communities and parks applying for and achieving dark sky designation

Promote the value of local guides by demonstrating how guided experiences deepen visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the outdoors. Advocate for community-benefiting trails that connect visitors to multiple destinations and local businesses. Actively promote eco-friendly transportation options and collaborate with local and regional partners to minimize light pollution, cultivating unique dark sky experiences and bolstering the region’s sustainability credentials.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Climate 7: Encourage Diverse, Climate-Adaptive Tourism Offerings
• Communities
  • 6: Promote Responsible Trail Connectivity
  • 9: Promote Dark Sky Preservation and Experiences
• Outdoor Recreation 7: Promote Guided Recreation Opportunities
• Wildlife and Biodiversity
  • 8: Implement Wildlife Conservation Education for Tourism Professionals
  • 10: Championing Nature-Positive Tourism
• Transportation 1: Promote Eco-Friendly Transit Methods

• CTO, DMOs, Pikes Peak regional attractions, tourism and outdoor recreation outfitters and guides, trails and open space organizations, DarkSky Colorado

• Promote the Pikes Peak Wonders region as an accessible and inclusive tourism destination by enhancing the accessibility information on DMOs’ and tourism businesses’ websites and leveraging CTO competitive grant programs to expand and support offerings.
• Foster inclusive outdoor experiences by conducting accessibility audits of attractions, sites and trails, developing adaptive infrastructure, creating inclusive interpretive signage, training staff, and partnering with advocacy groups.
• Prioritize inclusive transportation accessibility by conducting audits of transportation services and mobility hubs, upgrading facilities, and training staff on accessibility and inclusivity travel best practices.

• CTO Accessible Travel Program
• CPW’s Outdoor Equity Grant Program Fund
• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CDOT’s Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options Fund
• Colorado Fund for People with Disabilities
• El Paso County Trailability Program
• OREC Rural Technical Assistance program
• Wheel the World partnerships and resources
• Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Accessible Trails Guide Booklet

• Accessible Colorado Springs presents a model for any DMO or local government to assess accessibility communications and local visitor infrastructure and improve visitor resources.
• El Paso County Trailability Program offers off-road mobility vehicles to provide residents and visitors with mobility disabilities with trail experiences previously inaccessible to them.
• Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks Accessible Trails Guide Booklet provides in-depth details of accessibility features for 30 trails, supporting visitor and recreation planning and experiences for people with disabilities.

• Number of public lands offering accessible facilities
• Number of new inclusive outdoor experiences developed or promoted
• Percentage of transportation services with accessibility features
• Visitor satisfaction with transportation and experience accessibility
• Number of destinations with detailed accessibility information available
• Percentage of grant dollars awarded to accessibility initiatives

Promote inclusivity in outdoor experiences by installing adaptive infrastructure and programs, and collaborating with transportation agencies to enhance inclusive features and services. Support the development and distribution of a comprehensive accessibility resource, to bolster a more inclusive experience for every visitor to the region.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Outdoor Recreation
• 9: Foster Inclusive Outdoor Experiences
• Transportation
• 9: Prioritize Inclusive Transportation Accessibility
• Foundational
• 3: Identify Resources to Advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) Initiatives
• Dreaming
• 3: Increase Awareness and Promotion of Colorado as an Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Destination

CTO, Colorado Disability Opportunity Office, DMOs, local governments

• Coordinate with local Creative Districts and organizations to arrange familiarization tours for regional tourism and creative industry stakeholders to experience community spaces and outdoor areas showcasing existing artist installations and designs, fostering discussions and promoting networking and partnership opportunities.
• Create vibrant, sustainable and welcoming public spaces through community design workshops, public art installations, accessibility improvements, permaculture landscaping, and enhancements in lighting and safety.
• Foster partnerships with local artists by facilitating art projects in public places that represent local cultures and values, supporting artist-in-residence programs, and hosting live performances and cultural events.
• Integrate art into outdoor recreation by identifying strategic locations, engaging local artists, and developing themed installations that enhance visitor experiences, promoting the intersection of art and natural landscapes.
• Promote litter prevention and zero waste practices in public spaces and community events by engaging businesses, increasing recycling infrastructure, and launching educational campaigns to raise visitor awareness about sustainable practices and environmental stewardship.

• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• Colorado Creates grant program
• Community Development Block grants
• CO Conservation Trust Fund
• Energy/Mineral Impact Assistance Fund grant
• Local Planning Capacity grant program
• Rural Economic Development Initiative
• Strong Communities Infrastructure and Planning grant programs

• Rita the Troll in Victor is a successful community-driven public art installation, showcasing how local creativity can enhance cultural identity and tourism appeal in rural settings.
• The Pueblo Creative Corridor is a model of collaborative management and promotion of three historic centers (Downtown Main Street, Union Avenue Historic District and the Mesa Junction) that leverages pooled resources while maintaining each area’s uniqueness.
• Ridgeway Creative District designation demonstrates how creative district designation can enhance a community’s identity and leverage resources for housing.
• The Manitou Springs Arts, Culture and Heritage Initiative (MACH) Grants Program is an example of a board-run grants program that allocates a portion of sales tax revenue to fund arts, cultural, and heritage projects in Manitou Springs.
• Zero Waste Events in Erie, Colorado shows how to uphold sustainability best practices with community events.

• Number of public spaces improved or created
• Value of investments made in public spaces
• Visitor satisfaction from visitor surveys
• Number of partnerships formed with local artists and creative industries for tourism projects
• Number of communities implementing zero waste and litter prevention campaigns
• Value of investments made to reduce waste
• Number of parks with public art
• Park visitor mentions of public art installations

Support the creation of public spaces that showcase local culture and heritage, fostering partnerships with local artists to enrich the visitor experience. Implement sustainable practices in the tourism industry, including recycling initiatives, sustainable packaging, and organizing Zero Waste events to minimize environmental impact and enhance community involvement.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Communities
  • 3: Create Vibrant and Welcoming Public Spaces
  • 7: Advance Litter Prevention and Zero Waste Practices
• Arts and Creative Industries
  • 1: Foster Partnerships with Local Artists
  • 10: Integrate Art into Outdoor Recreation

DOLA, Colorado Creative Industries (CCI), creative districts, local governments, DMOs, chambers of commerce

• Foster inclusive cultural heritage partnerships and strengthen museum involvement in tourism by establishing partnerships between museums and local DMOs. Create local cultural heritage advisory boards to review tourism experiences and marketing strategies, and commit to engaging heritage groups to improve cultural representation in tourism development and promotion.
• Create immersive cultural heritage experiences by collaborating with local historians and cultural experts to design tours, exhibits, and programs, enhancing visitor engagement with technology, offering information and guidance for available grant programs, and promoting heritage assets in tourism marketing.
• Promote authentic Native American heritage by establishing formal tourism development partnerships with Tribal governments, sharing educational resources with tourism industry stakeholders on the appropriate presentation of artifacts with written consent per the Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act, and co-developing and implementing a Native American tourism marketing campaign.
• Enhance awareness of diverse cultural heritage throughout the region by developing interpretive materials, creating video documentation and campaigns, organizing public art installations, and hosting special events and exhibitions.

• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• OEDIT’s grants and financing programs for business start-ups
• History Colorado State Historical Fund grant

• Custer County Past and Present Historical Digest of the Wet Mountain Valley is an example of community collaboration to tell a destination’s collective cultural story.
• Garden Park Schoolhouse is an example of an award-winning effort by the Gold Belt Scenic and Historic Byway to secure necessary funding and partnerships to preserve a local treasure.
• Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum presents an example of a regional museum working with Native American leadership to create appropriate and meaningful exhibits and experiences about the Ute people.

• Number of cultural heritage projects developed or enhanced with cultural heritage expert participation
• Reach and impressions of marketing campaigns
• Value of investment to support Native American tourism development and marketing
• Number of cultural heritage awareness initiatives
• Number of people reached through campaigns
• Value of investments to support cultural heritage interpretation
• Number of new cultural heritage experiences developed

Engage and support stakeholders from diverse cultures and backgrounds in developing tourism practices that honor and promote Colorado’s cultural heritage. Partner with History Colorado to create compelling content that celebrates this heritage, and collaborate with cultural heritage experts to develop immersive experiences that showcase the region’s richness and diversity. Champion the preservation and revitalization of historical assets by repurposing heritage sites for new tourism experiences while maintaining their historical integrity.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Cultural Heritage
  • 1: Foster Inclusive Cultural Heritage Partnerships
  • 2: Promote Native American Heritage
  • 4: Enhance Awareness of Diverse Cultural Heritage
  • 5: Create Immersive Cultural Heritage Experiences
  • 8: Facilitate Access to Historic Preservation Grants
  • 9: Strengthen Museum Involvement and Collaboration in Tourism

History Colorado, OEDIT Small Business Development Center Network, DMOs, local museums and heritage organizations, local governments

• Collaborate with local farms, agricultural businesses, and culinary organizations to establish regional Food Trails that guide visitors through various agriculture and food experiences across the region, including enhancing signage and routes.
• Identify and share information on training and resources available to farmers and producers for marketing their current products and experiences or developing new offerings to expand agritourism and culinary itineraries in the region.
• Enhance culinary festivals and events by creating and promoting a regional festival event calendar, with DMOs providing marketing and promotional support, and by developing tourism packages in collaboration with industry partners.
• Promote agritourism offerings by developing a comprehensive agritourism guide and distributing it locally, as well as through the CTO.

• CTO Learning Lab
• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• OEDIT’s Business Support division Small Business Accelerated Growth Program Grants

• Pueblo Chile & Frijoles Festival celebrates Pueblo’s famous chile pepper harvest with culinary delights, live entertainment, and cultural activities, showcasing the region’s agricultural heritage.
• Woodland Park Farmers Market offers a vibrant community gathering place where locals and visitors can enjoy fresh produce, artisanal goods, and a lively atmosphere every summer season.
• Roaring Fork and Farm Map is an initiative led by Carbondale Tourism that brings together various central Colorado producers and promotes local buying and eating in a region known mostly for outdoor recreation

• Number of agritourism businesses supported
• Reach and impressions of CTO’s agritourism-specific marketing campaigns
• Number of new signs installed
• Increase in agritourism site visits
• Number of culinary festivals and events celebrating local agriculture and food traditions
• Number of communities to develop agritourism guides
• Increase in agritourism site visits

Utilize resources from the CTO and other state programs to foster the development of agritourism businesses. Collaborate on curated itineraries showcasing the destination’s attractions and enhancing visitor experiences. Support the establishment of agritourism signage and routes, and actively participate in organizing community-endorsed culinary festivals, liquid arts events, and food trail guides.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Agriculture, Food, and Liquid Arts
  • 4: Support Culinary Festivals and Events
  • 5: Create Immersive Culinary Tourism Itineraries
  • 6: Support the Development of Agritourism
  • 7: Enhance Agritourism Signage and Routes
  • 8: Promote Agritourism Offerings

CTO, Colorado Agritourism Association, Colorado Department of Agriculture, DMOs, chambers of commerce,local agriculture associations

• Partner with local governments to create a strategic plan for managing the impact of tourism on transportation infrastructure, congestion, and parking along the I-25 corridor, considering visitors from outside the region and their movements within it.
• Conduct a thorough regional assessment of major tourism attractions and outdoor recreation sites, along with the existing transportation options available to access them. Compile the findings into a detailed report that outlines recommendations for “last mile” transportation connectivity projects, focusing on addressing existing gaps and aligning with community priorities.
• Collaborate closely with local municipalities to gather necessary data and advocate for new transportation infrastructure that enhances accessibility and visitor experience across the region.
• Raise awareness of public transportation options along the I-25 corridor through targeted marketing campaigns, partnerships with accommodation providers, and integration with booking platforms.
• Create parking solutions by conducting parking needs assessments for downtown areas, popular attractions, and trailheads, identifying suitable locations for additional parking with accessibility considerations, and exploring Public-Private Partnerships to fund new parking infrastructure, maintenance costs, and capacity.
• Expand electric vehicle infrastructure by identifying strategic locations for expansion, integrating with planning policies, and promoting EV usage and accessibility of charging stations.

• CDOT’s Multimodal Transportation and Mitigation Options fund
• Transportation Alternative program
• Revitalizing Main Streets
• Federal transportation infrastructure grants
• CTO competitive grants and co-ops
• CTO Destination Development programs
• COTREX and AllTrails apps
• Colorado’s Energy Office Charge Ahead Colorado grant program

• The I-70 Coalition is an example of a local strategic planning effort that includes research, strategic planning and projects to improve traffic and congestion issues along the I-70 Mountain Corridor.
• The Collegiate Peak Scenic Byway is an example of an engaging driving route with interesting and scenic stops along the way and accessible EV charging stations.
• U.S. Forest Service Hanging Lake Management Plan was designed in partnership with Visit Glenwood Springs, the City of Glenwood Springs, and Glenwood Adventure Company, and provided transit solutions to a natural attraction with limited access and parking facilities.

• Number of local transportation projects that link major transit hubs and tourist locations
• Number of people using CDOTs Bustang Services
• Percentage of people that have heard of Bustang and Snowstang Services
• Number of Environmentally Friendly Parking Structures Built
• Number of electric vehicle (EV) charging stations installed along popular routes in the region
• Awareness campaigns promoting locations of chargers

Collaborate to enhance and promote comprehensive transportation networks that allow travelers to enjoy the region’s attractions without relying on car rentals. Support awareness campaigns, such as Do Colorado Right, to promote public transportation options to visitors and reduce traffic congestion. Advocate for effective parking solutions, ensure sufficient parking availability for residents, and support the installation and promotion of EV charging stations within communities.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Climate
  • 5: Promotion of Electric Off-Highway Vehicles
• Transportation
  • 2: Develop Comprehensive Transportation Connections
  • 3: Raise Awareness of Public Transportation Options
  • 8: Create Parking Solutions
  • 10: Expand Electric Vehicle Infrastructure

CTO, CDOT, Scenic and Historic Byways, local governments, DMOs, chambers of commerce, Mountain Metropolitan Transit, Pueblo Transit, Chaffee Shuttle, Mountain Express

• Develop industry-focused workforce strategies by establishing stakeholder collaboration forums, implementing training programs tailored to the specific needs of the tourism sector, and fostering formal partnerships between tourism businesses and local educational institutions.
• Promote and integrate tourism career education in schools through developing collaborative educational programs, launching career awareness campaigns, and implementing mentorship and internship programs.
• Foster career advancement in tourism by expanding access to leadership programs, enhancing training and development opportunities, and creating structured mentorship programs.
• Encourage managers and mid-career professionals who are seeking to grow their tourism leadership skills to participate in CTO’s Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey.
• Enhance professional development, networking, and recognition opportunities for tourism professionals by developing award categories in collaboration with regional and local associations, partnerships, and coalitions, implementing annual recognition events, promoting award winners through local media, expanding access to conference participation for young professionals, and fostering year-round industry networking opportunities.
• Advocate for workforce housing solutions to identify and assess viable housing options tailored to specific communities, and actively participate in national and global events addressing housing and workforce support in the hospitality and tourism sectors such as the National HR in Hospitality Conference, City Nation Place, Crest World Tourism Day Forum, and U.S. Housing Community Development Conference.

The following case study illustrates examples of this strategy implemented in other communities:

• Colorado Hospitality Scholarship program has two scholarship programs to support students who are interested in exploring work opportunities in tourism and hospitality.
• Colorado Mountain Housing Coalition connects housing professionals to foster creative solutions, providing a hub for information and networking to support local housing initiatives. The group focuses on advocacy and collaborative efforts to improve local workforce housing in rural mountain areas.
• Aspen Skiing Company’s Tenants for Turns is a program that incentivizes homeowners in the Roaring Fork Valley to rent a unit, affordable dwelling units, guest house, mother-in-law unit, or even an extra bedroom to an Aspen One employee; incentives include ski ticket vouchers, a season pass, or a gift voucher.

• Number of tourism businesses participating in workforce development programs
• Number of schools and nonprofit organizations promoting tourism as a career path
• Number of graduates each year in the CTO’s Colorado Tourism Leadership Journey
• Number of awards given each year
• Reach and impressions from local media coverage

Collaborate with educational institutions and associations to facilitate training programs that prepare local tourism workforce for current and future industry needs. This includes hosting school field trips, engaging in classroom presentations, creating mentorship and internship opportunities, supporting career advancement programs, and actively promoting awards and recognition initiatives to celebrate the achievements of tourism professionals and encourage ongoing excellence.

This regional strategy aligns closely with the following strategies from the statewide plan:

• Workforce
  • 1: Develop Industry-Focused Workforce Strategies
  • 6: Foster Career Advancement in Tourism
  • 7: Enhance Recognition for Tourism Professionals
  • 8: Promote and Integrate Tourism Career Education in Schools

CTO, Colorado Department of Education, Colorado Housing and Financing Authority, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, Colorado Workforce Development Council, local governments, DMO’s, chambers of commerce, industry associations