Tourism

Watching Colorado

Colorado tourism budget comes back to life

Colorado tourism got an injection of life with its smart new "Come to Life" campaign. And while it had looked like the Colorado Tourism Office's budget might be headed for life-support, it just got an injection of of new/old money.

John Denver puts the Tourism Hall of Fame on a Rocky Mountain High

Tourism boosters must think longingly of the days when Colorado needed no more advertisement than a Muppet-haired troubadour on a "Rocky Mountain High," singing about how he was born in the summer of his 27th year, when he discovered the joys of campfires and really good pot, and moved to the state ... More >>

WTF, Fruita? Controversial slogan wears out its welcome

WTF, Fruita? The Western Slope town already has a festival devoted to Mike the Headless Chicken, so was it such a stretch to put out a WTF welcome mat? But before the debate was over -- how welcoming was it, really, to greet tourists with a hearty "what the fuck?" -- even Time online had picked up t ... More >>

Al White, Colorado tourism chief, pens new slogan for New Mexico: Just south of paradise!

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal ran a story about New Mexico's $2.5 million effort to rebrand the state "as a place of charm and character, adventure, excitement -- and really good green chili cheeseburgers." It seems that the Land of Enchantment isn't perceived as very enchanting; focus ... More >>

Enter the Dragon

Earlier this month, the Wall Street Journal ran a story about New Mexico's $2.5 million effort to rebrand the state "as a place of charm and character, adventure, excitement -- and really good green chili cheeseburgers." It seems that the Land of Enchantment isn't perceived as very enchanting; focus ... More >>

Ken Salazar's plans for tourism in San Luis Valley generates protests

Ken Salazar.​Two weeks ago, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar surfaced in Alamosa, surrounded by state leaders, to present the results of a federal study aimed at promoting tourism and conservation in the San Luis Valley. The National Park Service's study pushes for conservation easements, ... More >>

John Hickenlooper is tourism's secret weapon in luring travel bloggers to TBEX conference

​How did Colorado's "Second Largest Industry" perform in 2010? We're guessing pretty well, since that's the header regarding the latest Longwoods Report, an industry analysis of Denver and Colorado tourism. But then, this industry has a secret weapon: Governor John Hickenlooper.

Discover Colorado Rally brings out a colorful Colorado mascots, including the governor

​Leaders of the Colorado tourism Industry gathered on the steps of the Capitol yesterday for a Discover Colorado Rally and celebration of the first official Colorado Tourism Day. They were surrounded by some of the state's best marketing mascots (and a mysterious pirate): the Blue Bear, Miles ... More >>

John Joseph of Cro-Mags is giving walking tours of NYC. Who would give the best tour of Denver?

A rock and roll promoter in New York has tapped Cro-Mags frontman John Joseph to host walking tours of New York City's musical landmarks. Besides being an incredibly cool way to see the city and absorb its rich history, the idea got us to thinking: who would give a kickass tour of Denver? Who would ... More >>

Colorado tourism account comes back home thanks to Karsh/Hagan: We heart Colorado

​Colorado has awarded its new tourism contract -- and surprise, surprise, a Colorado company has the key role in a deal that's now been split between several companies: Karsh/Hagan, founded in 1977, when John Denver tunes were enough to attract tourists.

John Hickenlooper off to a fast start with three executive orders

HIckenlooper.​The inauguration ceremony was cold, but Governor John Hickenlooper is off to a blazing start. Hickenlooper issued three executive orders in the first few minutes of officially holding office, taking aim at economic development and improving the efficiency of state government.

Home Improvements

HIckenlooper.​The inauguration ceremony was cold, but Governor John Hickenlooper is off to a blazing start. Hickenlooper issued three executive orders in the first few minutes of officially holding office, taking aim at economic development and improving the efficiency of state government.

Wake-Up Call: Naptime in a land called Colorado

​Governor Bill Ritter will celebrate Colorado Tourism Day this afternoon at the State Capitol, and there's real reason to celebrate: The embarrassingly awful, Joan Rivers-ish "Let's Talk Colorado" campaign has disappeared almost entirely, with just a few "Let's Talk Colorado with the Locals Wh ... More >>

Twitter Tuesday: Holiday prep edition

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

Mining the Past for the Future

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

The Gang's All Beer

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

Colorado Tourism Office: Come See Our Twin Peaks!

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

The Gang's All Beer

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

The Gang's All Beer

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

Snow Job

​Back again in our old "three Twits to follow" form for a special Holiday prep edition to get your burgeoning Twitter feed feeding you stuff you can use as the holiday season descends. As always, follow us at @denverwestword, @cafewestword, @westword_music and @casciato. @Colorado_Moms: If it ... More >>

Coors Cans Guided Brewery Tours

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

Canning the Coors Tour

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

Canning the Coors Tour

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

Let's Talk Embarrassing

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

Wedding Bells

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

City Slicker

All good things must come to an end, but at the Coors brewery tour in Golden, all the good things come atthe end.

Fat Tired Out

Celebrate mountain biking in Crested Butte.

Snakes Alive

Celebrate St. Patrick at the Denver Zoo.

Ka-Ching!

Celebrate St. Patrick at the Denver Zoo.

Photo Finish

Sorry, but Denver has nothing to apologize for.

Best Place to Detox

Shambhala Mountain Center

Dead Denverites Walking

Shambhala Mountain Center

The Bare Necessities

There are a million slogans in the naked city. We don't need any of them.

Summer in the City

Shopping around for metro Denver's top ten attractions for tourists -- and locals.

Best Secular Pilgrimage

Rocky Mountain Audio Guides

Off Limits

Rubbed the wrong way

Book, Chapter and Verse

B.C. Tours offers a politically incorrect view of Denver. From the beginning.

Best Homer Run at Invesco Field

Colorado Sports Hall of Fame

Airtime

Bill Owens will be on TV plenty this month, but not as a candidate.

Hit Pick

Red Rocks birthday party

Best Ecosystem Trail

M. Walter Presman Trail

Best Dinosaur Tracks --Outdoors

Dinosaur Ridge

The Royal Grudge Bridge

Bill Fehr has big plans for the Royal Gorge Bridge--including a $749,600 rent increase.

No Fighting in the War Room

After a thirty-year open house, NORAD declares Cheyenne Mountain off-limits to tourists.

Unpainting the Town

A tourist-hating vandal with a grudge the size of Texas makes a splash in Breckenridge.

Dripped Dry

As metro cities buy up high country water rights, Park County's ranching heritage is evaporating.

Conventional Wisdom

The Colorado Convention Center is nearly brand-new--and according to Denver's civic boosters, it's already too small

I AM NOT A CAMERATHEY'RE WATCHING YOU AT THE CAPITOL--OR ARE THEY?

The Colorado Convention Center is nearly brand-new--and according to Denver's civic boosters, it's already too small

OFF LIMITS

The Colorado Convention Center is nearly brand-new--and according to Denver's civic boosters, it's already too small