Colorado Best Tourism Leaders Honored At 2025 Governor’s Awards, Shaping The Future Of Travel And Visitor Experience In Us

Published on October 25, 2025

The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a portion of nan state’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT), precocious celebrated nan singular contributions of individuals and organizations successful nan tourism manufacture during nan Governor’s Awards for Outstanding Colorado Tourism Efforts. The prestigious arena took spot astatine nan recently opened Hotel Polaris successful Colorado Springs, marking an important milestone for Colorado’s $28.5 cardinal tourism industry. The ceremonial spotlighted nan exceptional activity of tourism professionals who proceed to style nan state’s vibrant tourism landscape.

Highlighting Innovation and Impact Across Colorado’s Tourism Sector

The 2025 Governor’s Awards ceremonial honored 7 individuals and 4 organizations for their outstanding achievements successful destination marketing, community partnerships, accessibility, and visitor experience. Their dedication to Colorado’s tourism ecosystem helps prolong nan 470,000 jobs supported by nan tourism manufacture statewide.

Governor Jared Polis expressed his gratitude towards nan grant recipients, recognizing their important effect connected nan state’s system and taste vitality. The Governor underscored really nan tourism assemblage drives not only economical maturation but besides plays a pivotal domiciled successful preserving Colorado’s earthy beauty and adventurous tone for early generations.

The arena besides coincided pinch nan ongoing discussions astir nan early of tourism successful Colorado, arsenic tourism leaders, hospitality professionals, and destination managers gathered to stock their insights and strategies for sustainable tourism development.

A Focus connected nan Future of Colorado’s Tourism Industry

Held successful Colorado Springs, nan Governor’s Tourism Conference served arsenic a forum for tourism leaders from crossed nan authorities to research emerging trends and talk strategies to guarantee a sustainable and inclusive early for nan industry. Key topics included destination stewardship, nan integration of artificial intelligence successful tourism, international recreation trends, and enhancing accessibility for each visitors.

A important infinitesimal during nan convention was an update from nan America 250 – Colorado 150 Commission, which is preparing for statewide celebrations successful 2026 to people nan 250th day of nan United States and Colorado’s 150th twelvemonth of statehood. This historical milestone offers an opportunity to bespeak connected nan past and scheme for nan early of tourism successful nan state.

Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT, emphasized nan value of innovation and collaboration successful driving Colorado’s tourism manufacture forward. She credited nan grant recipients for their expertise to foster caller ideas and reenforce nan state’s estimation arsenic a welcoming and world-class destination for visitors.

Timothy Wolfe, Director of nan Colorado Tourism Office, added that nan awards ceremonial highlighted nan forward-thinking work being done passim nan state, ensuring that Colorado remains a premier prime for travelers seeking unsocial and memorable experiences.

Recognizing Leadership and Innovation successful Colorado’s Tourism Landscape

The Governor’s Awards ceremonial acknowledged nan achievements of individuals and organizations crossed various categories, including marketing creativity, community stewardship, and frontline work excellence. This year’s honorees bespeak nan divers spot of Colorado’s tourism ecosystem and showcase nan creativity and dedication that person contributed to nan state’s emergence arsenic a apical destination.

Adam Ducharme, Director of Lake County Tourism and Economic Development, was awarded nan Rising Tourism Star Award for his activity successful regenerative tourism and fostering organization collaboration successful Leadville and Twin Lakes.

Charlene Hoffman, CEO of Visit Boulder, received nan Outstanding Colorado Tourism Champion Award for her exceptional efforts successful positioning Boulder arsenic a national leader successful inclusive and imaginative destination marketing.

The Frontline Hospitality Tourism Worker Awards were presented to individuals who consistently spell supra and beyond successful ensuring an outstanding visitor experience. Notably, Joseph R. Burtard, proprietor of JR’s Carriage Service, was celebrated for his contributions to storytelling and his activity successful Western Colorado tourism. Zachary Lucas, a train head astatine nan Rocky Mountaineer, was besides honored for delivering singular impermanent experiences connected nan Rockies to nan Red Rocks scenic obstruction route.

Other distinguished honorees included Monica Rozelle, a visitor accusation master and unpaid coordinator astatine Visit Manitou Springs, and Jack Damioli, President and CEO of The Broadmoor, who received nan Colorado Tourism Office Board Chair’s Award for maintaining nan hotel’s prestigious Forbes Five-Star and AAA Five-Diamond ratings.

Excellence successful Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

This year’s awards besides recognized nan groundbreaking efforts of organizations focused connected advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility successful tourism. The National Sports Center for nan Disabled was honored for its activity successful making outdoor recreation much accessible to everyone, showcasing its committedness to providing inclusive experiences for each visitors.

Creative Marketing Campaigns Shaping Colorado’s Appeal

The arena besides highlighted nan imaginative trading campaigns that person contributed to expanding consciousness of Colorado arsenic a tourism destination. Visit Denver was awarded nan Creative Marketing Campaign (Large Budget) for its impactful “This Is How We Denver” initiative, which reached complete 154 cardinal people nationwide and generated $60 million successful revenue. Meanwhile, Visit Golden won nan Creative Marketing Campaign (Low Budget) grant for its “Goldens successful Golden” campaign, which efficaciously showcased nan metropolis arsenic a welcoming destination for families and pet lovers.

Additionally, Visit Ouray received nan Exemplary Destination Stewardship Initiative grant for its “Do Ouray Right” program, which promotes sustainable visitant behaviour and strengthens organization information successful responsible tourism.

Looking Forward: The Future of Tourism successful Colorado

Looking up to 2026, nan adjacent Colorado Governor’s Tourism Conference is group to return spot astatine Beaver Run Resort & Conference Center successful Breckenridge from September 23-25, 2026. This convention will coincide pinch nan state’s sesquicentennial celebrations and nan nation’s 250th anniversary, marking an breathtaking opportunity for reflection, celebration, and a renewed attraction connected nan early of tourism successful Colorado.

As nan tourism manufacture continues to evolve, nan committedness of nan 2025 grant winners highlights nan powerfulness of collaboration, creativity, and stewardship successful shaping Colorado’s recreation landscape. Through their continued invention and dedication, these honorees are ensuring that Colorado remains not conscionable a destination, but a rich | and engaging acquisition that reflects nan state’s adventurous tone and dedication to inclusivity.