Gov. Bill Owens deviated from his prepared remarks Thursday to offer lawmakers a resolution to a simmering dispute over replacing the state’s rustic “Colorful Colorado” highway signs.
Holding up a miniature version of the log signs, Owens promised to quash the economic-development office’s plan to tear them down if lawmakers give him $10 million in extra tourism funding.
“If you’ll work with me on helping tourism, I’ll cancel plans for those new ‘Welcome to Colorado’ signs and we’ll keep this ‘Colorful Colorado’ sign.”
The economic-development office wants to replace the 41 log signs with stone markers reading “Welcome to Colorado” in red and blue type that complements the office’s marketing- campaign materials.
Owens offered the deal after laying out his request that lawmakers transfer $10 million from severance taxes to the state’s tourism budget.
“We know that if we invest in tourism, we’ll get much more than our investment back in economic growth,” he said.
