Johnny Boyd:
"I began writing columns in 1995 after listening to the consternation about the business climate in Snowmass Village, or the lack thereof. My first column proposed the idea of moving all the businesses in the Snowmass Mall to the then unconstructed Base Village, and my second column was about replacing the mall businesses with casinos. It was sheer arrogance and brilliance — a great way to start a writing career — and everyone hated it. Go figure.
I remain convinced that casinos are the best idea to transform the economy of Snowmass Village into a sustainable year-round resort. For some reason this bright idea is resisted by the politicians, the second homeowners and the citizenry. Something about attracting the wrong clientele.
I submit that if we can entertain the titan thieves of Wall Street, we can surely put up with a few skuzzy dudes ripping off cigarettes at the liquor store. My original column even mentioned the darker aspects of casinos by using the line, “If the Mafia gets involved, it will give a whole new meaning to ‘family resort.’” A thief is a thief, whether by briefcase or gun...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
Showing posts with label regional tourism promotion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label regional tourism promotion. Show all posts
June 12, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale pulls out the stops for Ride the Rockies"
John Stroud:
"Rose Quinn of Avon was relaxing in the shade at the Fourth Street Plaza enjoying a beer and “reliving her day.”
“It was such a gorgeous ride today,” Quinn said of the 68-mile second stage from Hotchkiss, over McClure Pass and into Carbondale.
Quinn came to the realization as she embarked on her second Ride the Rockies from Gunnison Sunday morning that she had forgotten her bicycle cleats.
So she duct-taped her sneakers to her pedals and made it through two days of riding before she finally found a bike shop in Carbondale to buy a new pair of bike shoes.
“I bumped into one of the town's employees and he even took me to the bike shop,” Quinn said. “This is easily the best host city so far in the two years I've been doing this. People here are just so friendly.”
Greg Norling and Paul Richards, both from Seattle, were quick to agree....." (Read more? Click title)
"Rose Quinn of Avon was relaxing in the shade at the Fourth Street Plaza enjoying a beer and “reliving her day.”
“It was such a gorgeous ride today,” Quinn said of the 68-mile second stage from Hotchkiss, over McClure Pass and into Carbondale.
Quinn came to the realization as she embarked on her second Ride the Rockies from Gunnison Sunday morning that she had forgotten her bicycle cleats.
So she duct-taped her sneakers to her pedals and made it through two days of riding before she finally found a bike shop in Carbondale to buy a new pair of bike shoes.
“I bumped into one of the town's employees and he even took me to the bike shop,” Quinn said. “This is easily the best host city so far in the two years I've been doing this. People here are just so friendly.”
Greg Norling and Paul Richards, both from Seattle, were quick to agree....." (Read more? Click title)
June 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Glenwood Springs Post Independent "Carbondale prepares to party with Ride the Rockies"
Nelson Harvey:
"CARBONDALE, Colorado — By any standard, Carbondale is a bike obsessed town. But its bike mania, on display last month during the annual Bonedale Bike Week, will ramp up a few notches come Monday.
That day, 2,000 riders on the Ride the Rockies bike tour will roll into town, establishing a base camp for the night at Roaring Fork High School before heading downtown for an afternoon and evening of festivities.
Carbondale will host Ride the Rockies for the first time since the Denver Post launched the event in 1986. After starting in Gunnison on Sunday, this year's 442-mile, six-day tour takes riders through Hotchkiss and Carbondale, then over Independence Pass and into Leadville. After that, they'll make stops in Granby and Estes Park before finishing at the Odell's Brewery in Fort Collins on Friday, June 15.
In Carbondale, a committee of bike-loving locals is planning a warm welcome for the riders as they pass through the Roaring Fork Valley.
On Monday, Main Street will be closed off between Third Street and Weant Boulevard, and Fourth Street will be blocked for a half block north and south from Main Street. The Fourth Street Plaza will play host to a food court featuring local vendors, as well as several musical acts on the town stage.
Street buskers, including musicians, jugglers and other local artists, will greet the riders as they filter downtown on Monday afternoon, from their headquarters at Roaring Fork High School..."
(Read more? Click title)
"CARBONDALE, Colorado — By any standard, Carbondale is a bike obsessed town. But its bike mania, on display last month during the annual Bonedale Bike Week, will ramp up a few notches come Monday.
That day, 2,000 riders on the Ride the Rockies bike tour will roll into town, establishing a base camp for the night at Roaring Fork High School before heading downtown for an afternoon and evening of festivities.
Carbondale will host Ride the Rockies for the first time since the Denver Post launched the event in 1986. After starting in Gunnison on Sunday, this year's 442-mile, six-day tour takes riders through Hotchkiss and Carbondale, then over Independence Pass and into Leadville. After that, they'll make stops in Granby and Estes Park before finishing at the Odell's Brewery in Fort Collins on Friday, June 15.
In Carbondale, a committee of bike-loving locals is planning a warm welcome for the riders as they pass through the Roaring Fork Valley.
On Monday, Main Street will be closed off between Third Street and Weant Boulevard, and Fourth Street will be blocked for a half block north and south from Main Street. The Fourth Street Plaza will play host to a food court featuring local vendors, as well as several musical acts on the town stage.
Street buskers, including musicians, jugglers and other local artists, will greet the riders as they filter downtown on Monday afternoon, from their headquarters at Roaring Fork High School..."
(Read more? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Ski season breaks Vail sales tax records"
Lauren Glendenning:
"VAIL, Colorado — The 2011-12 ski season may have been one of the worst ever in terms of snowfall, but it's shaping to be the town of Vail's best-ever in terms of sales tax collections.
Sales tax collections were up every month in 2011 over the same month in 2010, and the recent ski season has posted similar gains every month except April.
Sales tax collections January of this year were $2.85 million, up 1.94 percent from January 2011. The trend continues with February collections up 6.59 percent from February 2011 and March collections up 0.91 percent over March 2011. April is down 7.88 percent from the previous year, when Vail Mountain's ski season was a week longer than it was this year. The town expects another $55,000 in April collections, bringing the percentage to 3.3 percent down from 2011.
The 2011-12 ski season is estimated to be up 3.9 percent, or $536,785, from the 2010-11 season, the town's largest sales tax collection in a ski season ever..." (Read original press release? Click title)
"VAIL, Colorado — The 2011-12 ski season may have been one of the worst ever in terms of snowfall, but it's shaping to be the town of Vail's best-ever in terms of sales tax collections.
Sales tax collections were up every month in 2011 over the same month in 2010, and the recent ski season has posted similar gains every month except April.
Sales tax collections January of this year were $2.85 million, up 1.94 percent from January 2011. The trend continues with February collections up 6.59 percent from February 2011 and March collections up 0.91 percent over March 2011. April is down 7.88 percent from the previous year, when Vail Mountain's ski season was a week longer than it was this year. The town expects another $55,000 in April collections, bringing the percentage to 3.3 percent down from 2011.
The 2011-12 ski season is estimated to be up 3.9 percent, or $536,785, from the 2010-11 season, the town's largest sales tax collection in a ski season ever..." (Read original press release? Click title)
SandBoxBlogs: RealAspen "Aspen to host NASTAR National Championships"
RealAspen:
"NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, announced a new partnership today with Aspen/Snowmass to serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships. Avid skiers from approximately 45 states, ranging in age from three to 90, will converge on the world-class resort to compete for national titles in various divisions of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships...." (Read more? Click title)
"NASTAR, the largest public grassroots ski race program in the world, announced a new partnership today with Aspen/Snowmass to serve as the host resort for the 2013 and 2014 Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships. Avid skiers from approximately 45 states, ranging in age from three to 90, will converge on the world-class resort to compete for national titles in various divisions of the Nature Valley NASTAR National Championships...." (Read more? Click title)
June 3, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: KKCO 11 News "The Economic Impact of JUCO Championship
Christy Dimond:
"Going to game 19 tonight means out-of-state visitors are staying in Grand Junction for an extra day...
That's an extra day with a lot of extra revenue for the tournament and city.
JUCO tournament chair Jamie Hamilton is certainly enthusiastic about tonight's game.
"We're always looking for the extra day. It always helps us because the dollars stay here and they go back into the facility and back into the community so we always like that," he says.
Hamilton says walk-up ticket sales alone will typically bring an additional $15,000-$20,000 in revenue... but that's not pocket change.
"When we have an $8.3 million project to pay for. It's nice to have extra revenue to try to pay that off as quick as possible," Hamilton says.
That project being the new Suplizio Stadium... Strong ticket sales have been significant in refunding that project.
"Back to the championship- last night and tonight- we sold out both nights, so a really great week for us," says Landon Balding, online ticket sales manager.
Outside the stadium, the visitors and convention bureau estimates the extra day will bring in $26,000 in travel expenses.
"We had some people booking as early as February 15 when tickets first went on sale," says Balding.
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
"Going to game 19 tonight means out-of-state visitors are staying in Grand Junction for an extra day...
That's an extra day with a lot of extra revenue for the tournament and city.
JUCO tournament chair Jamie Hamilton is certainly enthusiastic about tonight's game.
"We're always looking for the extra day. It always helps us because the dollars stay here and they go back into the facility and back into the community so we always like that," he says.
Hamilton says walk-up ticket sales alone will typically bring an additional $15,000-$20,000 in revenue... but that's not pocket change.
"When we have an $8.3 million project to pay for. It's nice to have extra revenue to try to pay that off as quick as possible," Hamilton says.
That project being the new Suplizio Stadium... Strong ticket sales have been significant in refunding that project.
"Back to the championship- last night and tonight- we sold out both nights, so a really great week for us," says Landon Balding, online ticket sales manager.
Outside the stadium, the visitors and convention bureau estimates the extra day will bring in $26,000 in travel expenses.
"We had some people booking as early as February 15 when tickets first went on sale," says Balding.
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within news others make since 2010"
May 31, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Steamboat Today "Howlin' Howelsen kicks off 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge"
Luke Graham:
"Steamboat Springs — Peter Kalmes quickly realized his advantage probably was everyone else’s, as well.
Like many Steamboat Springs mountain bikers, Kalmes took advantage of the light winter, biking up Emerald Mountain on hardpack snow. By February he was in Moab to ride on dirt, and come March 1, he was a fixture on his road bike.
“I feel a lot stronger because of the dry spring,” said Kalmes, who proved to be the fastest rider Wednesday in the opening event of the 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series. “I knew, and now I really know, that everyone took advantage of that. It made a difference for everyone.”
Wednesday’s Howlin’ Howelsen race predictably saw a little of everything. Old stalwarts battled the Emerald Mountain course that began at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena and meandered its way over a series of trails before finishing the ascent to the Quarry via Blair Witch and then heading back down.
The race even featured one rider sprinting across the finish line, flat tire going one way and chain going the other.
Then it had the final competitor across the finish line — long after everyone left to have a post-race beer — sporting an old-school Nishiki mountain bike with fenders and no sign of any suspension....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Steamboat Springs — Peter Kalmes quickly realized his advantage probably was everyone else’s, as well.
Like many Steamboat Springs mountain bikers, Kalmes took advantage of the light winter, biking up Emerald Mountain on hardpack snow. By February he was in Moab to ride on dirt, and come March 1, he was a fixture on his road bike.
“I feel a lot stronger because of the dry spring,” said Kalmes, who proved to be the fastest rider Wednesday in the opening event of the 2012 Steamboat Springs Town Challenge Mountain Bike Race Series. “I knew, and now I really know, that everyone took advantage of that. It made a difference for everyone.”
Wednesday’s Howlin’ Howelsen race predictably saw a little of everything. Old stalwarts battled the Emerald Mountain course that began at the Brent Romick Rodeo Arena and meandered its way over a series of trails before finishing the ascent to the Quarry via Blair Witch and then heading back down.
The race even featured one rider sprinting across the finish line, flat tire going one way and chain going the other.
Then it had the final competitor across the finish line — long after everyone left to have a post-race beer — sporting an old-school Nishiki mountain bike with fenders and no sign of any suspension....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Vail Daily News "Teva Mountain Games start today"
Chris Freud:
"VAIL — Try to top that.
It's a game that the Teva Mountain Games has been playing rather successfully since its inception as the Jeep Whitewater Festival many years ago. That said, rafting toward a keg of beer at the end of Dowd Chute, no matter how noble the pursuit, wasn't hard.
But how do you top last year's steep-creek championships, which start the 2012 edition of the Mountain Games, today at 10 a.m. up at Homestake Creek near Red Cliff?
Honza Lasko, of the Czech Republic, and New Zealand's Michael Dawson tied for first in the two-run race down to the hundredth second — 3 minutes, 34.62 seconds.
Try doing that again.
OK, probably not, but the Homestake race kicks off four days of mountain sporting events, which should provide plenty of chills and definitely some spills. What was originally a rafting event is now a confluence of biking, running, whitewater, climbing, fishing and dog sports....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"VAIL — Try to top that.
It's a game that the Teva Mountain Games has been playing rather successfully since its inception as the Jeep Whitewater Festival many years ago. That said, rafting toward a keg of beer at the end of Dowd Chute, no matter how noble the pursuit, wasn't hard.
But how do you top last year's steep-creek championships, which start the 2012 edition of the Mountain Games, today at 10 a.m. up at Homestake Creek near Red Cliff?
Honza Lasko, of the Czech Republic, and New Zealand's Michael Dawson tied for first in the two-run race down to the hundredth second — 3 minutes, 34.62 seconds.
Try doing that again.
OK, probably not, but the Homestake race kicks off four days of mountain sporting events, which should provide plenty of chills and definitely some spills. What was originally a rafting event is now a confluence of biking, running, whitewater, climbing, fishing and dog sports....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 29, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Aspen Daily News "Snowmass Village tourism officials intertwine marketing with Aspen name"
Chad Abraham:
"Snowmass Village Councilman John Wilkinson often draws blank stares at other ski resorts, even in Colorado, when he tells fellow skiers where he resides.
But mention Aspen and it’s instant recognition, he said.
Snowmass tourism officials know the feeling. Last week, Susan Hamley, director of the town’s Snowmass Tourism office, unveiled a new advertising campaign that will tout the variety of activities not just in the village but also in Aspen and elsewhere in the valley.
One potential ad Hamley displayed to Town Council on May 21 features a photo of the Belly Up, the popular concert venue in Aspen.
The advert “plays up what we have here in Snowmass, what we have with our partners in Aspen and what you can get in the valley,” Hamley said. “We mention Aspen in the copy as well, saying that the combination of these two neighbors is powerful.”
But Hamley said in an email that the effort should not be construed as the town “abandoning our own identity.”
“While we’ve also always promoted Aspen arts and cultural organizations as well as bigger events there, our board would like to align even more with our highly recognized neighbor,” she said. “Aspen is a key differentiator for Snowmass ... not for all audiences but for many.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Snowmass Village Councilman John Wilkinson often draws blank stares at other ski resorts, even in Colorado, when he tells fellow skiers where he resides.
But mention Aspen and it’s instant recognition, he said.
Snowmass tourism officials know the feeling. Last week, Susan Hamley, director of the town’s Snowmass Tourism office, unveiled a new advertising campaign that will tout the variety of activities not just in the village but also in Aspen and elsewhere in the valley.
One potential ad Hamley displayed to Town Council on May 21 features a photo of the Belly Up, the popular concert venue in Aspen.
The advert “plays up what we have here in Snowmass, what we have with our partners in Aspen and what you can get in the valley,” Hamley said. “We mention Aspen in the copy as well, saying that the combination of these two neighbors is powerful.”
But Hamley said in an email that the effort should not be construed as the town “abandoning our own identity.”
“While we’ve also always promoted Aspen arts and cultural organizations as well as bigger events there, our board would like to align even more with our highly recognized neighbor,” she said. “Aspen is a key differentiator for Snowmass ... not for all audiences but for many.”...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Summit Daily News "The new face of Grand Junction tourism"
Caitlin Row:
"Already successfully branded as Colorado's Wine County, Grand Valley tourism seeks to expand its reach even further with a new push — to be known for its extraordinary recreation and culinary options.
Hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, dining — all the “-ings.”
“It's all about diversity and having lots of choices,” Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau (GJVCB) division manager Barbara Bowman said.
Now, Bowman's big tourism vision has fresh energy behind it. The new marketing and PR coordinator, Mistalynn Meyeraan, said she's all about promoting Grand Junction as a recreation destination. Her ideas for local tourism incorporate an active-lifestyle focus, and cycling will “absolutely” be part of it.
It will combine “everything that we, as locals, don't take for granted,” Meyeraan said. “It's not just about tourism. It's about how great the community lifestyle is. … It's a push for new recreation advertising and awareness, because it's here.”
Meyeraan, a native to the Western Slope, most recently worked in Colorado's ski industry as Winter Park Resort's communications manager. She joined Bowman's team this month...."
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Already successfully branded as Colorado's Wine County, Grand Valley tourism seeks to expand its reach even further with a new push — to be known for its extraordinary recreation and culinary options.
Hiking, biking, rafting, golfing, dining — all the “-ings.”
“It's all about diversity and having lots of choices,” Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau (GJVCB) division manager Barbara Bowman said.
Now, Bowman's big tourism vision has fresh energy behind it. The new marketing and PR coordinator, Mistalynn Meyeraan, said she's all about promoting Grand Junction as a recreation destination. Her ideas for local tourism incorporate an active-lifestyle focus, and cycling will “absolutely” be part of it.
It will combine “everything that we, as locals, don't take for granted,” Meyeraan said. “It's not just about tourism. It's about how great the community lifestyle is. … It's a push for new recreation advertising and awareness, because it's here.”
Meyeraan, a native to the Western Slope, most recently worked in Colorado's ski industry as Winter Park Resort's communications manager. She joined Bowman's team this month...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 28, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Summit County Citizens Voice "Tourism: G20 countries seek to ease visa burdens"
Bob Berwyn:
"SUMMIT COUNTY —Tourism ministers from G20 countries have made a formal declaration that they’ll seek to ease visa burdens to boost international travel and tourism, seen as a way to potentially add 5 million jobs and generate $206 million in tourism revenue by 2015, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization.
The recently adopted declaration encourages G20 countries to leverage new technologies to make travel “more accessible, convenient and more efficient without a diminution of national security.” It also encourages countries look into increasing cooperation on bilateral, regional and international travel facilitation regimes.
Tourism ministers from G20 countries met May 16 with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to talk about boosting tourism, with Calderón promising that he would deliver the message to the other G20 heads of state.
WTO research shows that, of the 656 million international tourists who visited G20 countries in 2011, 110 million needed a visa, while millions more were deterred from traveling by the cost, waiting time and difficulty of obtaining a visa.
Areas of opportunity for facilitating travel include maximizing the use of information and communication technologies to improvevisa procedures, instituting electronic visa processing and establishing regional agreements for visa facilitation...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"SUMMIT COUNTY —Tourism ministers from G20 countries have made a formal declaration that they’ll seek to ease visa burdens to boost international travel and tourism, seen as a way to potentially add 5 million jobs and generate $206 million in tourism revenue by 2015, according to figures from the World Tourism Organization.
The recently adopted declaration encourages G20 countries to leverage new technologies to make travel “more accessible, convenient and more efficient without a diminution of national security.” It also encourages countries look into increasing cooperation on bilateral, regional and international travel facilitation regimes.
Tourism ministers from G20 countries met May 16 with Mexican President Felipe Calderón to talk about boosting tourism, with Calderón promising that he would deliver the message to the other G20 heads of state.
WTO research shows that, of the 656 million international tourists who visited G20 countries in 2011, 110 million needed a visa, while millions more were deterred from traveling by the cost, waiting time and difficulty of obtaining a visa.
Areas of opportunity for facilitating travel include maximizing the use of information and communication technologies to improvevisa procedures, instituting electronic visa processing and establishing regional agreements for visa facilitation...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 27, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Denver Post "Colorado Adventure Center a model for all-in-one outdoor attraction"
Jason Blevins:
"DUMONT — Facing yet another challenging year for whitewater rafting, two veteran Colorado outfitters have joined forces to create a company that is moving well beyond boats.
With its five whitewater options, three biking excursions and two zipline courses between Glenwood Springs and Idaho Springs — including Colorado's longest tower zipline complex, over Clear Creek — the new Colorado Adventure Center represents the growing model for all-in-one adventure shopping....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"DUMONT — Facing yet another challenging year for whitewater rafting, two veteran Colorado outfitters have joined forces to create a company that is moving well beyond boats.
With its five whitewater options, three biking excursions and two zipline courses between Glenwood Springs and Idaho Springs — including Colorado's longest tower zipline complex, over Clear Creek — the new Colorado Adventure Center represents the growing model for all-in-one adventure shopping....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 26, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Durango: Then and Now"
KREX:
"DURANGO, Colo.- Durango was recently voted the sixth best small town in America by Smithsonian Magazine...." (Read more? Listen to interview? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"DURANGO, Colo.- Durango was recently voted the sixth best small town in America by Smithsonian Magazine...." (Read more? Listen to interview? Click title)
"Unapologetic pursuit and tracking of patterns within the news others make since 2010."
May 19, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Billion Dollar Proposal Aims to Bring Tourism to Montrose"
Wow.
Even Montrose looks like it is standing a chance at blowing right by the tourism marketing and resulting revenues of Glenwood Springs and Aspen.
That puts Vail Resorts being bolder to the east of both, Grand Junction, Mesa County and Powderhorn's snag of minor sports and infrastructure to the west of both and now Montrose, Telluride, Monarch and Wolf Ski Resort to the south all having far greater ability to draw in sustainable, major and regional tourism venues than anything Glenwood Springs or Aspen currently have going on.
Cori Coffin:
"MONTROSE, Colo.-There are 1,500 miles of recreational playground in Montrose County. "We've kind of adopted a theme of 360 degrees of adventure, 365 days a year," said Richard Harding, a member of the Montrose Citizens for Funding Our Future (MC4FF).
MC4FF is a group that has been working with commissioners for the past three years to create the largest undertaking ever attempted in the county. "(It involves) 141 projects with a billion dollar plus price tag over the next 30-35 years," said Commissioner David White.
The group's goal is to turn the tourism climate around in the county that has a nearly 20 percent unemployment rate.
According to the Department of Local Affairs, Montrose has only 6 percent tourism employment, versus 48 percent in surrounding counties. "If we're able to get up to the same level as those other counties, we're looking at over 16,000 jobs created in the tourism industry," said Harding.
Officials hope to bring new attractions to, as well as revamp existing attractions in Montrose County, such as "the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I mean that's an underutilized asset," said White.
"Montrose County is the only place in the United States that has a National Wilderness Area combined with a National Conservation Area combined with a National Park and combined with a National Recreation Area," added Harding.
Other projects include recreational items such as kayak and rock climbing facilities, "making it an alternative destination to Moab," said White....." (Read more? Click title)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
Even Montrose looks like it is standing a chance at blowing right by the tourism marketing and resulting revenues of Glenwood Springs and Aspen.
That puts Vail Resorts being bolder to the east of both, Grand Junction, Mesa County and Powderhorn's snag of minor sports and infrastructure to the west of both and now Montrose, Telluride, Monarch and Wolf Ski Resort to the south all having far greater ability to draw in sustainable, major and regional tourism venues than anything Glenwood Springs or Aspen currently have going on.
Cori Coffin:
"MONTROSE, Colo.-There are 1,500 miles of recreational playground in Montrose County. "We've kind of adopted a theme of 360 degrees of adventure, 365 days a year," said Richard Harding, a member of the Montrose Citizens for Funding Our Future (MC4FF).
MC4FF is a group that has been working with commissioners for the past three years to create the largest undertaking ever attempted in the county. "(It involves) 141 projects with a billion dollar plus price tag over the next 30-35 years," said Commissioner David White.
The group's goal is to turn the tourism climate around in the county that has a nearly 20 percent unemployment rate.
According to the Department of Local Affairs, Montrose has only 6 percent tourism employment, versus 48 percent in surrounding counties. "If we're able to get up to the same level as those other counties, we're looking at over 16,000 jobs created in the tourism industry," said Harding.
Officials hope to bring new attractions to, as well as revamp existing attractions in Montrose County, such as "the Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park. I mean that's an underutilized asset," said White.
"Montrose County is the only place in the United States that has a National Wilderness Area combined with a National Conservation Area combined with a National Park and combined with a National Recreation Area," added Harding.
Other projects include recreational items such as kayak and rock climbing facilities, "making it an alternative destination to Moab," said White....." (Read more? Click title)
"Truth goes through three stages. First it is ridiculed. Then it is violently opposed. Finally, it is accepted as self-evident."
May 8, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Hickenlooper Vetoes Bill to Provide Tax Incentives for Tourism"
Kristina Kuestner:
"DENVER- Gov. John Hickenlooper vetoed a bill Friday that would have impacted multiple cities throughout the state, including Montrose.
SB 124 would have expanded tax incentive programs for tourism projects across the state
Hickenlooper said that his decision was made because the bill would have replaced the 2009 Regional Tourism Act, which allows two large scale tourism projects a year for over three years.
The Colorado Regional Tourism Act would have allowed all six projects to be funded at once.
According to the Denver Post, Hickenlooper said allowing more than two projects to be considered per year could be risky and could increase the chances for mistakes....."
(Watch the news release? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"DENVER- Gov. John Hickenlooper vetoed a bill Friday that would have impacted multiple cities throughout the state, including Montrose.
SB 124 would have expanded tax incentive programs for tourism projects across the state
Hickenlooper said that his decision was made because the bill would have replaced the 2009 Regional Tourism Act, which allows two large scale tourism projects a year for over three years.
The Colorado Regional Tourism Act would have allowed all six projects to be funded at once.
According to the Denver Post, Hickenlooper said allowing more than two projects to be considered per year could be risky and could increase the chances for mistakes....."
(Watch the news release? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 26, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Craft beer provides $446M boost to Fort Collins, Colorado economies"
David Young:
"Colorado's craft brewing industry injects $446 million into the state's economy, according to a study released Tuesday by Colorado Brewers Guild.
The University of Colorado Business Research Division compiled the data for the Colorado Brewers Guild, which indicates that as of March, Colorado had 139 licensed craft brewers totaling $101.8 million in income, with a $179.2 million total employment effect. The study cost the guild an estimated $10,000, according to CU.
Nine of those breweries are in Fort Collins, including New Belgium Brewing Co., the largest craft brewer in Colorado and third largest in the country, behind Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer Co.
Fort Collins' breweries contribute $83.2 million to the Larimer County payroll and support 938 direct jobs, according to a 2011 study by Colorado State University’s Regional Economics Institute and the Beverage Business Institute....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"Colorado's craft brewing industry injects $446 million into the state's economy, according to a study released Tuesday by Colorado Brewers Guild.
The University of Colorado Business Research Division compiled the data for the Colorado Brewers Guild, which indicates that as of March, Colorado had 139 licensed craft brewers totaling $101.8 million in income, with a $179.2 million total employment effect. The study cost the guild an estimated $10,000, according to CU.
Nine of those breweries are in Fort Collins, including New Belgium Brewing Co., the largest craft brewer in Colorado and third largest in the country, behind Sierra Nevada and Boston Beer Co.
Fort Collins' breweries contribute $83.2 million to the Larimer County payroll and support 938 direct jobs, according to a 2011 study by Colorado State University’s Regional Economics Institute and the Beverage Business Institute....." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Coloradoan "Ride the Rockies returns to Fort Collins after 19 years away"
Congratulations again, to Carbondale. Your hard work soliciting Ride the Rockies pays off in a very big way this year with the overnight on our stage happening in Carbondale.
From the sounds of things, the event is so thrilled with the stage, you are likely to become an annual stop and anchor for the race.
Best wishes to a successful event!
David Young:
"Since 1986, cyclists from around the world have been flocking to Colorado in the summer to see the state from their saddle for The Denver Post Ride The Rockies Colorado Bicycle Tour.
For the inaugural ride, more than 1,500 riders came from around the country to participate in the six day, cross-state tour. In 1987, the registration limit was raised to 2,000 cyclists, and by 1989 the lottery registration system that is now in place was implemented. Last year the tour received more than 4,000 applications.
This June, for the first time since 1993, the ride will return to the Choice City.
Odell Brewing Co. will serve as the finish line for the six-day, 442-mile ride...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
From the sounds of things, the event is so thrilled with the stage, you are likely to become an annual stop and anchor for the race.
Best wishes to a successful event!
David Young:
"Since 1986, cyclists from around the world have been flocking to Colorado in the summer to see the state from their saddle for The Denver Post Ride The Rockies Colorado Bicycle Tour.
For the inaugural ride, more than 1,500 riders came from around the country to participate in the six day, cross-state tour. In 1987, the registration limit was raised to 2,000 cyclists, and by 1989 the lottery registration system that is now in place was implemented. Last year the tour received more than 4,000 applications.
This June, for the first time since 1993, the ride will return to the Choice City.
Odell Brewing Co. will serve as the finish line for the six-day, 442-mile ride...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
April 25, 2012
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "Colorado Town Makes List of 'Best Small Towns'"
Why isn't Glenwood Springs tourism marketing capitalizing on all that the entire State of Colorado has to offer?
This is a day and age where families, if they have decided to spend precious funds on a vacation, are going to not stay in just one place. They are going to experience all they can that is family oriented.
Regional tourism marketing and promotion is the key to success.
Congratulations to the City of Durango for capturing not just one small town label but the whole enchilada.
Christina Marrazza:
"DURANGO, Colo.- A Western Colorado town has earned a spot on a list of "Best Small Towns in America."
The list, compiled by Smithsonian Magazine, features towns with tons of culture and a population under 25,000.
Durango earned the No. 6 spot on the list. With a population of nearly 17,000, the old railroad and mining town celebrates life Western-style.
Its lamp-post lined historic district, "Music in the Mountains" festival and a theater showcasing both melodrama and vaudeville are all reasons it was selected...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
This is a day and age where families, if they have decided to spend precious funds on a vacation, are going to not stay in just one place. They are going to experience all they can that is family oriented.
Regional tourism marketing and promotion is the key to success.
Congratulations to the City of Durango for capturing not just one small town label but the whole enchilada.
Christina Marrazza:
"DURANGO, Colo.- A Western Colorado town has earned a spot on a list of "Best Small Towns in America."
The list, compiled by Smithsonian Magazine, features towns with tons of culture and a population under 25,000.
Durango earned the No. 6 spot on the list. With a population of nearly 17,000, the old railroad and mining town celebrates life Western-style.
Its lamp-post lined historic district, "Music in the Mountains" festival and a theater showcasing both melodrama and vaudeville are all reasons it was selected...." (Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: Market Watch "Samuel Adams' Brewing the American Dream Provides Funding and Coaching for Denver's Small Businesses"
Press Release:
"As part of the Denver expansion, The Boston Beer Company also announced the region's first loan recipients, all of whom are small businesses that were unable to secure financing through traditional lenders. Initial Denver recipients include:
-- BIG DADDY'S SPORTS BAR -- Opening in Glenwood Springs, Big Daddy's Sports Bar is the brainchild of Laura Warren, a sports enthusiast and restaurant-industry veteran who realized there were no true sports bars in the area. Unable to secure funding through traditional lenders she turned to Samuel Adams' Brewing the American Dream for the capital necessary to purchase signage, equipment, and help renovate the space. Scheduled to open in late April, Big Daddy's expects to initially hire 19 staff members.
-- TACO CENTER -- Ricardo Barba just purchased a lanchera, or food truck, specializing in tacos thanks to Brewing the American Dream. Born in California to Mexican parents, he's been part of the food service industry all his life in all sorts of capacities but realized what he really wanted was to be his own boss. He faced numerous hurdles while trying to work with various traditional lenders to secure funding for his truck but then found Brewing the American Dream, and within 14 days received his loan.
The owners of both businesses will also have the opportunity to participate in business education seminars sponsored by Brewing the American Dream. Through a series of speed coaching events -- the first of which will be held on April 25, at the Mi Casa Resource Center -- business owners will work with Samuel Adams employees across a number of functional areas (i.e. marketing, sales, accounting, graphic design, etc.) for professional mentoring and coaching to improve and expand their businesses....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
"As part of the Denver expansion, The Boston Beer Company also announced the region's first loan recipients, all of whom are small businesses that were unable to secure financing through traditional lenders. Initial Denver recipients include:
-- BIG DADDY'S SPORTS BAR -- Opening in Glenwood Springs, Big Daddy's Sports Bar is the brainchild of Laura Warren, a sports enthusiast and restaurant-industry veteran who realized there were no true sports bars in the area. Unable to secure funding through traditional lenders she turned to Samuel Adams' Brewing the American Dream for the capital necessary to purchase signage, equipment, and help renovate the space. Scheduled to open in late April, Big Daddy's expects to initially hire 19 staff members.
-- TACO CENTER -- Ricardo Barba just purchased a lanchera, or food truck, specializing in tacos thanks to Brewing the American Dream. Born in California to Mexican parents, he's been part of the food service industry all his life in all sorts of capacities but realized what he really wanted was to be his own boss. He faced numerous hurdles while trying to work with various traditional lenders to secure funding for his truck but then found Brewing the American Dream, and within 14 days received his loan.
The owners of both businesses will also have the opportunity to participate in business education seminars sponsored by Brewing the American Dream. Through a series of speed coaching events -- the first of which will be held on April 25, at the Mi Casa Resource Center -- business owners will work with Samuel Adams employees across a number of functional areas (i.e. marketing, sales, accounting, graphic design, etc.) for professional mentoring and coaching to improve and expand their businesses....."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
SandBoxBlogs: KREX News 5 "New Fruita Trails Open In Time For Fat Tire Festival"
17 years as one of the most popular mountain bike events in the Rockies. Congratulations to the Fat Tire Festival!
Danielle Kreutter:
"FRUITA, Colo.- The Bureau of Land Management and several other community organizations have teamed up to add two new singletrack trails, "Pump Track" and "Zip Off," in Fruita for mountain bikers to enjoy.
The plan to add more trails to the North Fruita Desert has been years in the making.
"These sort of things take quite a bit of time and effort and partnership from various other groups besides the BLM," said Michelle Bailey, BLM assistant field manager.
One of those groups, Fruita Singletracks, is now playing a role in building these new trails now that funds have been reached.
"Fruita Singletracks has been raising funds for this, COPMOBA raised funds, there has been donations from all around," said Greg Mazu of Singletrack Trails.
Now construction can begin just in time for the annual mountain bike festival in Fruita...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
Danielle Kreutter:
"FRUITA, Colo.- The Bureau of Land Management and several other community organizations have teamed up to add two new singletrack trails, "Pump Track" and "Zip Off," in Fruita for mountain bikers to enjoy.
The plan to add more trails to the North Fruita Desert has been years in the making.
"These sort of things take quite a bit of time and effort and partnership from various other groups besides the BLM," said Michelle Bailey, BLM assistant field manager.
One of those groups, Fruita Singletracks, is now playing a role in building these new trails now that funds have been reached.
"Fruita Singletracks has been raising funds for this, COPMOBA raised funds, there has been donations from all around," said Greg Mazu of Singletrack Trails.
Now construction can begin just in time for the annual mountain bike festival in Fruita...."
(Read more? Click title)
"Unapologetically pursuing and tracking patterns within the news others make since 2010."
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