Annex 1: Abbreviations and Acronyms

  • ADA Americans with Disabilities Act
  • BLM Bureau of Land Management
  • CADMO Colorado Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
  • CCP Colorado’s Central Plains
  • CPW Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • CSU Colorado State University
  • CTO Colorado Tourism Office
  • DNR Department of Natural Resources
  • DMO Destination Management/Marketing Organization
  • ECCOG East Central Council of Governments
  • ECHS Elbert County Historical Society
  • ECAA Elbert County Agricultural Alliance
  • FSHS Fort Sedgwick Historical Society
  • LCEDC Logan County Economic Development Corporation
  • MCED Morgan County Economic Development
  • NECTR Northeast Colorado Travel Region
  • NPS National Park Service
  • OEDIT Colorado Office of Economic Development & International Trade
  • OREC Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
  • OSMP Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks
  • PCED Phillips County Economic Development
  • PDC Prairie Development Corporation
  • USFS United States Forest Service
  • YCEDC Yuma County Economic Development Corporation

Annex 2: Destination Stewardship Partners

Government Agencies

Colorado is fortunate to have millions of acres of public lands, some of which can be found in the Pioneering Plans region. The following state and federal land management agencies are leading efforts to protect natural and cultural resources and encourage responsible recreation on public lands.

  • Bureau of Land Management (BLM)
  • Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) (Jackson Lake State Park, North Sterling State Park)
  • National Park Service
  • Pawnee National Grasslands / U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

Regional Municipalities and Counties

The Pioneering Plains travel region is comprised of the following cities and counties:

Cities: Arriba, Akron, Atwood, Bethune Brush, Burlington, Cheyenne Wells, Crook, Elizabeth, Flagler, Fort Morgan, Genoa, Holyoke, Hugo, Idalia, Julesburg, Kiowa, Kit Carson, Limon, Ovid, Seibert, Sterling, Stratton, Vona, Wray & Yuma

Counties: Morgan, Washington, Logan, Kit Carson, Lincoln, Yuma, Phillips, Sedgwick, Cheyenne, Elbert

Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative

There is one Colorado Regional Partnerships at work in the Pioneering Plains travel region. While the missions and scope of projects vary within the statewide Colorado Regional Partnerships program, they are based upon collaboration between land managers, conservation organizations, and recreation user groups, as well as a commitment to habitat protection, restoration, and stewardship.

  • Eastern Grasslands Coalition – protects and advocates for the grasslands of Eastern Colorado

DMOs and Local Tourism-Related Organizations

The Pioneering Plains region boasts a diverse array of organizations and initiatives focused on advancing destination stewardship. Many of these organizations work locally and often partner with municipal governments. This list is not exhaustive, as numerous emerging efforts involve collaboration among multiple DMOs, local and county governments, state and federal land managers, and other non-profit organizations.

Brush Area Chamber and Main St. Program supports the Brush and Morgan County communities, overseeing events, programs, and projects and is a nationally accredited Main Street program.

Colorado’s Central Plains (CCP) is a regional tourism organization promoting tourism in Cheyenne, Elbert, Kit Carson and Lincoln counties.

Discover Yuma County is focused on providing leadership and empowering economic growth in Yuma County through job creation, business development, and enhanced county visibility

Downtown Colorado Inc. is a non-profit membership association that supports downtowns, Business Improvement Districts (BIDs), Downtown Development Authorities (DDAs), Urban Renewal Authorities (URAs), rural communities, local governments and businesses who champion downtown.

Elbert County Agricultural Alliance (ECAA) is focused on building an enriched agricultural community through support, education, and resources for small-scale agricultural businesses and residents.

Elizabeth Area Chamber of Commerce is united in the common good of the local commerce and community, to provide a support system for area businesses, and to foster close business relationships.

Holyoke Chamber of Commerce is organized to develop, advance, promote and encourage the commercial, agricultural, industrial, civic, cultural and general interests of the City of Holyoke, Colorado, and its trade area in Northeastern Colorado.

Hugo Main Street enhances the town’s physical appearance to demonstrate local pride, leverages the talents and passion of community partners, and promotes gatherings that reflect the lively small-town character.

Julesburg Welcome Center is located at the beginning of the South Platte River Trail, a Colorado Scenic and Historic Byway, and offers maps and information to help visitors with travel plans.

Lincoln County Economic Development Corporation provides leadership in developing and maintaining a stable and diversified economy through job creation, growth of commerce, and promotion of new and existing businesses.

Lincoln County Tourism Board promotes visitation and supports events in the communities of Limon, Hugo, Genoa, Arriba, Karval, Colorado.

Limon Heritage Museum and Railroad Park provides information on the rich history of Limon and the surrounding Eastern Colorado plains.

Logan County Economic Development Corporation strengthens the economy of Logan County through facilitating connections, assisting with incentive options, finding creative financing opportunities, and locating suitable buildings or site options for projects.

Logan County Lodging Tax Board administers revenue from the lodging tax to promote, advertise, and market tourism in Logan County.

Morgan County Economic Development (MCED) is a public/private non-profit economic development corporation that provides services to all of Morgan County. Their work focuses on supporting primary employers, those that bring equity into the local economy by supporting the retail, service, and professional sectors.

Northeast Colorado Travel Region (NECTR) was formed in 1989 with a mission to promote and encourage people to visit the region throughout the year for its many events and festivals and comprises Morgan, Logan, Washington, Yuma, Sedgwick, and Phillips counties.

Prairie Development Corporation (PDC) is a non-profit economic development organization dedicated to promoting and serving communities and businesses in Cheyenne, Elbert, Lincoln and Kit Carson Counties.

Pawnee Pioneer Trails Scenic and Historic Byway leads travelers through the expansive prairies of eastern Colorado.

Phillips County Economic Development provides economic development throughout Phillips County by providing information on available resources for the good of the county.

South Platte River Trail Scenic and Historic Byway is a 19-mile loop of South Platte River Trail that begins at the Colorado Welcome Center in Julesburg and features interpretive signage detailing sites along the route.

U.S. Forest Service / Pawnee National Grassland is contained within a 30-by-60 mile area and managed by the Pawnee National Grassland.

Yuma County Economic Development Corporation provides leadership and empowers economic growth in Yuma County through job creation, business development, and enhanced county visibility.

NGOs, Academia and Community Entities

Below is a list of other groups, organizations and entities in the Pioneering Plains travel region currently engaged in resource stewardship at a community or county level. It is important to note there are many other public and private sector individuals and organizations supporting the work of the listed entities as well as championing other initiatives.

  • Brush Area Chamber and Main St. Program
  • Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
  • Colorado Preservation, Inc.
  • Community Economic Development of Sedgwick County
  • Elbert County Agricultural Alliance (ECAA)
  • Elbert County Historical Society
  • Elizabeth Main Street
  • Elizabeth Historic Program
  • Fort Sedgwick Historical Society (FSHS)
  • Morgan Community College
  • Northeastern Junior College