PUEBLO, Colo. – The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce has been awarded a $20,000 Tourism Management Grant from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), a division of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT). The grant will support the development of a Destination Management Plan for Pueblo, designed to align the city’s growing visitor economy with the community’s character, residents’ quality of life, and long-term vision for sustainable tourism.
The grant is part of the CTO’s 2026 Tourism Management Grant Program, which awarded $222,456 to 13 organizations across Colorado to support innovative tourism initiatives that enhance visitor experiences and strengthen local economies.
“Visitors who come to Colorado from across the nation and the world help drive local economies across the state,” said Governor Jared Polis. “That is why investing in local organizations to boost tourism is good for visitors, our economy, and our future. I am excited to see how these investments can attract more visitors to communities across our beautiful state and improve visitor experience.”
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce/Visit Pueblo will employ the Colorado-based firm Mission2Market to develop a comprehensive Destination Management Plan. The plan will aim to foster sustainable tourism growth through stakeholder engagement and industry collaboration while preserving Pueblo’s unique community character. By working closely with local businesses and partners, the project ensures the resulting strategies directly reflect the needs and priorities of the Pueblo community.
“This grant allows us to take a thoughtful and strategic approach to tourism in Pueblo,” said Donielle Kitzman/ Vice President of the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce. “By creating a Destination Management Plan that is adopted by local leadership, we can ensure that tourism continues to support businesses, strengthen our economy, and enhance the quality of life for residents while providing meaningful experiences for visitors.”
The Tourism Management Grant program supports projects aligned with the Colorado Tourism Office’s strategic pillars of economic vitality, industry leadership, and destination stewardship. By investing in infrastructure, education, outreach, and planning initiatives, the program helps cultivate a resilient and innovative tourism ecosystem across Colorado.
“Tourism Management Grants empower local leaders to improve the visitor experience across Colorado,” said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of OEDIT. “By supporting these local efforts, we can help strengthen Colorado’s tourism industry and economy while benefiting both residents and visitors.”
“CTO is committed to supporting tourism priorities in communities across the state,” added CTO Director Timothy Wolfe. “These Tourism Management Grants provide resources that help expand local capacity and bring community-driven tourism projects to life.”
Organizations from communities including Cripple Creek, Grand Junction, Ouray, Pagosa Springs, Saguache County, and Pueblo were among the recipients of this year’s funding, supporting projects ranging from wayfinding and navigation improvements to visitor engagement initiatives and strategic planning.
About the Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
The Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce operates as Visit Pueblo, under a contract with the City of Pueblo to provide tourism sales and promotion services for the community. The mission of Visit Pueblo is to support, advocate for, and promote the tourism industry in Pueblo and the surrounding region. Through partnerships, leadership, and economic development initiatives, the Chamber strives to strengthen the local economy and enhance the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
About the Colorado Tourism Office
The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) is a division of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development and International Trade. The mission of the CTO is to empower the tourism industry by inspiring the world to explore Colorado responsibly and respectfully. In 2024, Colorado travelers spent $28.5 billion, generating $1.9 billion in local and state revenues and reducing the tax burden for every Colorado household by $816. Learn more at www.colorado.com.
Media Contact:
Greater Pueblo Chamber of Commerce
Krystle Herrera
Communications Coordinator
719-542-1704
krystle@pueblochamber.net
