Annex 1: Abbreviations and Acronyms

  • AIANTA American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association
  • BLM Bureau of Land Management
  • CAIC Colorado Avalanche Information Center
  • CAST Colorado Association of Ski Towns
  • CCI Colorado Creative Industries
  • CCIA Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs
  • CDLE Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • CDOT Colorado Department of Transportation
  • CEO Colorado Energy Office
  • CHFA Colorado Housing and Finance Authority
  • CPW Colorado Parks and Wildlife
  • CTO Colorado Tourism Office
  • CWDC Colorado Workforce Development Council
  • DMO Destination Management/Marketing Organization
  • DOLA Colorado Department of Local Affairs
  • DSC Destination Stewardship Council
  • EV Electric Vehicle
  • HOA Homeowners Association
  • LNT Leave No Trace
  • NPS National Park Service
  • OEDIT Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
  • OHV Off-Highway Vehicle
  • STOR Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation
  • USFS United States Forest Service

Annex 2: Destination Stewardship Partners

Government Agencies

Colorado is fortunate to have millions of acres of public lands, a good portion of which is found on Colorado’s Western Slope and within the Mountains and Mesas 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)
  • National Park Service (Colorado National Monument, Mesa Verde National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison and Curecanti NRA)
  • U.S. Forest Service (USFS)

Regional Municipalities and Counties

The Mountains and Mesas travel region is comprised of the following cities and counties:

  • Cities: Almont, BayField, Cedaredge, Chimney Rock, Clifton, Collbranm Cortez, Crawford, Crested Butte / Mt. Crested Butte, De Beque, Delta, Dolores, Dove Creek, Durango, Eckert, Fruita, Gateway, Grand Junction, Gunnison, Hesperus, Hotchkiss, Ignacio, Lake City, Mancos, Marble, Mesa, Mesa Verde National Park, Montrose, Naturita, Norwood, Olathe, Orchard City, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Palisade, Paonia, Placerville, Powderhorn, Rico, Ridgway, Silverton, Somerset, Telluride / Mountain Village, Towaoc, Uravan and Vallecito Lake
  • Counties: Archuleta, Delta, Dolores, Gunnison, Hinsdale, La Plata, Mesa, Montezuma, Montrose, Ouray, San Juan, San Miquel

Colorado Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative

There are five Colorado Regional Partnerships at work in the Mountains and Mesas travel region. While their missions and scope of projects vary, 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.

  • Central Colorado Recreation Partnership – Gunnison County Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation (STOR)
  • Montelores Coalition
  • Ouray Regional Recreation and Conservation Alliance
  • Southwest Colorado Conservation and Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
  • West Slope Outdoors Alliance

Other Regional Associations, Alliances and Coalitions

In addition to numerous organizations working on tourism management and destination stewardship in the region, several regional alliances and coalitions are dedicated to addressing challenges and developing shared solutions. These include:

  • Colorado Agritourism Association empowers Colorado producers to build and diversify economic strength through agritourism
  • Colorado Association of Ski Towns addresses the unique challenges mountain resort communities face in providing municipal services to residents and visitors
  • Colorado Association of Viticulture and Enology encourages and supports enology and viticulture in Colorado.
  • Colorado Canyons Association fosters community stewardship, education, and awareness of our National Conservation Lands with a focus on McInnis Canyons, Dominguez-Escalante, and Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Areas (NCAs) in western Colorado.
  • Colorado Creative Corridor promotes culture, arts, food and fun in the mountains of Western Colorado
  • Colorado Housing and Finance Authority strengthens Colorado by investing in affordable housing and community development.
  • Colorado Mountain Housing Coalition collaborates with banks for down payment loan assistance and other housing programs

DMOs and Local Tourism-Related Organizations

The Mountains and Mesas 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.

Colorado National Monument Association protects and celebrates the Colorado National Monument.

Cortez Chamber increases and sustains economic vitality in the Cortez Area and Montezuma County.

Crested Butte/ Mt. Crested Butte Chamber of Commerce provides communication, event, and advocacy services for business members, the Crested Butte and Mt. Crested Butte communities and visitors.

Delta County Tourism Cabinet works to promote tourism in Delta County and encourages visitation to and exploration of the county.

Dolores Chamber of Commerce shares information about the Dolores area and serves business, ecommunity and visitors.

Fruita Chamber of Commerce builds business connections and a strong community in which local businesses thrive.

Fruita Tourism Advisory Board advises and recommends budget and expenditures of lodging tax funds.

Fruita Welcome Center offers travel and trip planning services.

Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership leverages Local Marketing District and grant monies to grow overnight visitation revenues, diversify and develop the Gunnison County economy in a sustainable manner, and support Western Colorado University and the creation of entrepreneurial opportunities (e.g., ICELab).

Ignacio Chamber of Commerce supports the economic health of local businesses by working together for community success, advancing economic development and networking with citizens, governments, business and education organizations.

Lake City / Hinsdale County Marketing Committee plans for and implements a comprehensive tourism marketing strategy both short and long range for Lake City and Hinsdale County.

Mancos Chamber of Commerce supports the business community, promotes pro-business activities, and increases business visibility and revenue, while embracing the Mancos’ diverse heritage and tourism-based economy.

Mesa Verde Country promotes and manages visitation in Montezuma County.

North Fork Valley Creative District manages the Paonia Creative District.

Nucla-Naturita Chamber of Commerce promotes existing businesses and industry and the Nucla-Naturita area for vacationing and relocation, and assists with economic development of the area.

Pagosa Springs Area Tourism Board makes specific recommendations relative to expenditures of lodging taxes.

Pagosa Spring Chamber of Commerce assists members of the Pagosa Springs business community with development opportunities through resources, advocacy, services and education.

Palisade Chamber of Commerce supports and advocates for local businesses and promotes Palisade.

Palisade Tourism Advisory Board works on heightening the Palisade’s exposure among potential visitors, and improving the visitor’s experience.

Paonia Chamber of Commerce supports and promotes local businesses as well as community growth in the Town of Paonia and the North Fork Valley.

Ridgway Area Chamber of Commerce promotes business and community growth and development in the Town of Ridgway and the surrounding area.

Silverton Chamber of Commerce promotes San Juan County/Silverton businesses, events, promotions and recruitment of new residents & businesses.

Southern Ute Indian Tribe reside in southwestern Colorado on the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

Telluride Tourism Board markets and maintains the quality of the Telluride region experience for the benefit of both the visitor and the economic sustainability of the community.

Ute Mountain Ute reside in southwestern Colorado on the Ute Mountain Ute Indian Reservation and is the Weenuche Band of Ute Nation.

Vallecito Lake Chamber of Commerce supports businesses and tourism in Vallecito, Colorado.

Visit Durango serves La Plata County by channeling the power of visitation.

Visit Grand Junction, the City’s Destination Marketing Organization (DMO), is responsible for promoting Grand Junction’s brand to create an attractive destination while elevating its public image as a dynamic place to live and work. Through the promotion of travel and tourism, the department strengthens Grand Junction’s economic position, which provides a sustainable, diverse, and consistent economy that supports businesses, and enhances the quality of life for residents.

Visit Montrose promotes and manages visitation in Montrose and its surrounding.

Visit Ouray markets and manages the Ouray travel experience while promoting local businesses and respectful use.

West End Economic Development Corporation creates and encourages an inviting, pro-business environment, integrated with our independent spirit and friendly culture, while capitalizing on our natural and historic resources.

NGOs, Academia and Community Entities

Below is a list of other groups, organizations and entities in the Mountains and Mesas 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.

  • 1% for Open Space
  • Animas Conservancy
  • Coal Creek Watershed Coalition
  • Colorado Plateau Mountain Bike Trail Association
  • Colorado West Land Trust
  • Cortez Cultural Center
  • Crested Butte Land Trust
  • Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association
  • Crow Canyon Archaeological Center
  • Dark Sky Colorado
  • Durango Trails
  • Elk Mountains Backcountry Alliance
  • Fort Lewis College
  • Good Food Collective
  • Gunnison Trails
  • High Country Conservation Advocates
  • ICElab
  • Lake Fork Conservancy
  • La Plata Open Space Conservancy
  • Living Rivers
  • Local’s First
  • Mesa Verde Foundation
  • Mountain Roots Food Project
  • Mountain Studies Institute
  • Rico Trails Alliance
  • San Juan Mountains Association
  • San Juan Development Association
  • San Miguel Conservation Organization
  • Silverton Singletrack Society
  • Southwest Land Alliance
  • Stay the Trail
  • Telluride Foundation
  • Telluride Institute
  • Uncompahgre Watershed Partnership
  • Ute Indian Museum
  • Valley Organic Growers Association
  • Western Colorado Alliance
  • Western Colorado Conservation Corps
  • Western Colorado University