With average gas prices well above $2 a gallon, Gov. Bill Owens, Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper and tourism officials kicked off the summer tourism season Tuesday by encouraging Coloradans to travel within the state.
More than 250 people attended the rally, sponsored by the Colorado Tourism Office, held on the steps of the state Capitol. Lynette Lott, owner of Valhalla Resort in Estes Park, drove down with 15 other members of the Estes Area Lodging Association.
“With gas prices being what they are, people will probably be taking vacations a lot closer to home this summer,” she said. “Hopefully that will help us.”
Tourism, the state’s second-largest industry, contributes more than $7.1 billion annually to Colorado’s economy, according to the state-funded Colorado Tourism Office, which has a $5.4 million budget for 2005.
The legislature this year declined to increase state funding for tourism.
Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park, said he killed his latest proposal that would have allowed taxpayers to put up to $15 million towards tourism promotion in exchange for state income-tax credits. He said the bill lost support in light of Referendum C, the TABOR fix that would reduce tax refunds.
“But next year, the governor’s office and the legislature have promised me that significant tourism funding will be a priority,” he said. “I plan to hold them to that.”
Staff writer Julie Dunn can be reached at 303-820-1592 or jdunn@denverpost.com.
