Colorado Tourism Office awards $222k in tourism grants

The Colorado Tourism Office announced 13 recipients of its 2026 Tourism Management Grant, awarding a total of $222,456 to tourism-related projects across the state.

The program, administered by the Colorado Tourism Office, a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, supports local initiatives intended to improve visitor experiences and strengthen tourism economies in Colorado communities.

Gov. Jared Polis said tourism remains an important economic driver for the state.

“Visitors who come to Colorado from across the nation and the world help drive local economies across the state,” Polis said. “That is why investing in local organizations to boost tourism is good for visitors, our economy and our future.”

Eve Lieberman, executive director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, said the grants support local efforts to improve tourism infrastructure and planning.

“Tourism Management Grants empower local leaders to improve the visitor experience across Colorado,” Lieberman said.

Grant funding will support projects including signage improvements, visitor navigation systems, research studies and strategic planning efforts aimed at managing tourism and improving visitor access.

The 2026 Tourism Management Grant recipients include:

• City of Cripple Creek — $20,000 to improve signage and navigation connecting visitors with local historic sites.
• City of Grand Junction — $20,000 to study visitor travel and spending patterns, lodging trends and visitor perceptions.
• City of Idaho Springs — $20,000 for the second phase of a wayfinding project connecting major attractions.
• City of Ouray — $20,000 for a placemaking and cultural tourism strategic planning project.
• Colorado Association for Viticulture & Enology — $8,000 to develop a digital guide to Colorado wine regions.
• Del Norte Chamber of Commerce — $11,440 to install wayfinding and informational directories throughout town.
• Glenwood Springs Chamber Resort Association — $12,000 to develop an accessibility strategic plan following the city’s participation in a 2025 accessible travel pilot program.
• Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce — $20,000 to develop a destination management plan for the city.
• Lake County Government — $20,000 to support planning for long-term restroom and waste solutions near Twin Lakes.
• Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board — $20,000 for wayfinding and river access signage along the San Juan River.
• Saguache County Tourism Council — $12,016 to replace wayfinding signs at the intersection of highways 285 and 112 to direct visitors to the town of Center.
• Town of Eagle — $20,000 for the second phase of a wayfinding project along major corridors and pedestrian routes.
• Town of Lyons — $19,000 to develop a heritage tourism program, including interpretive signage and self-guided walking tours.