Governor Ritter cuts the ribbon to launch TravelGreenColorado.com with a hand from State Sen. Gail Schwartz

A grass-roots geotourism initiative got kicked off in a big way when Gov. Bill Ritter came to Buena Vista Friday to cut the green ribbon marking the launch of TravelGreenColorado.com.

Fifty supporters of geotourism and sustainability joined in the riverside event at South Main, including a surprise appearance by Sen. Gail Schwartz. Both Ritter and Schwartz are vocal advocates of tourism. Schwartz is a member of the state’s heritage tourism committee and Ritter’s office is where the proverbial buck stops for the Colorado Tourism office. TravelGreenColorado.com development and marketing was made possible in large part thanks to a $15,000 regional matching grant provided by the Colorado Tourism Office.

Both Ritter and Schwartz talked about the importance of tourism to Colorado and lauded the geotourism effort for being in step with the interest most Coloradoans share in balancing a thriving tourism economy with preservation of the state’s natural beauty and resources as well as its lively cultural and heritage traditions.

“We’re obviously immensely gratified that the Governor and Sen. Schwartz were interested enough in this project to take time out of their busy schedules to support it by shining a spotlight on it,” said CPG co-founder Lee Hart. “We’ve already gotten overwhelmingly positive response to the initiative locally and with tourism marketers elsewhere in the state, so to have two high-ranking public officials help us launch the site just lends credence and momentum to this concept.”

Gov. Ritter with the team of the Colorado Geotourism effort, from left, Lee Hart, Bill Donavan, Andrew Koransky and Mark Wiard

National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations defines geotourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place, its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents.

Geotourism is a movement that calls upon residents, businesses, civic and political leaders as well as visitors to embrace, celebrate and preserve the unique attributes of a destination, Hart explained. For that reason, she noted TravelGreenColorado.com provides equal access to locals – and devoted visitors who wish they were locals – as well as professional destination marketers. “In this way,” Hart said, “We believe this site helps pave the way for the democratization of tourism information.”

Hart explained the cost to participate in TravelGreenColorado.com starts at just $25 per story comprised of text, photos and video – so that cost is not a barrier to participation. “In many cases, the places and businesses most interested in getting their stories out are the least able to afford it,” she said.

The concept for the site started out as just a local effort, but expanded statewide after the strong positive reception to the concept during last fall’s annual meeting of statewide tourism leaders. Other supporters of the initiative include the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association, The Trailhead outdoor specialty store, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and Pinon Real Estate Group.

The public is invited to the event which starts at 9:30 a.m. Friday, June 26, with coffee, hosted by Buena Vista Roastery. Before cutting the ribbon, Ritter will talk about the importance of tourism and geotourism to the area. As sustainability is a key tenet of geotourism, attendees are encouraged to arrive at the event by foot or bike. If the weather turns bad, ceremonies will be moved indoors at Eddlyline Restaurant and Brewpub.

TravelGreenColorado.com development and marketing was made possible in large part thanks to a $15,000 regional matching grant provided by the Colorado Tourism Office and the generous support of underwriters such as The Trailhead, an outdoor specialty retail shop in Buena Vista, Mount Princeton Hot Springs Resort and Pinon Real Estate Group. Recognizing that geotourism is aligned with its mission, the Greater Arkansas River Nature Association signed on as sponsoring non-profit for the effort.

“We’re obviously immensely gratified that the Governor is giving this effort his attention,” said CPG co-founder Lee Hart. “We’ve gotten an overwhelmingly positive response to the initiative whenever and with whoever we mention it to, so the Governor’s interest in helping us launch the site just lends credence and momentum to this grass roots geotourism effort.”

National Geographic’s Center for Sustainable Destinations defines geotourism as tourism that sustains or enhances the geographical character of a place—its environment, culture, aesthetics, heritage, and the well-being of its residents. It is the umbrella under which is found ecotourism, sustainable tourism, culture and heritage tourism, culinary tourism and agritourism.

Geotourism is a movement that calls upon residents, businesses, civic and political leaders as well as visitors to embrace, celebrate and preserve the unique attributes of a destination, Hart explained. For that reason, she noted TravelGreenColorado.com provides equal access to locals and tourists as well as destination marketers to tell the stories of the people, places, businesses and non-profits that matter most and carry the past forward to the future.”In this way,”  Hart said, “We believe this site helps pave the way for the democratization of tourism information.”

Participation in TravelGreenColorado.com is priced in such a way to encourage participation in the site, since the members of CPG feel so strongly about making sure price is not a barrier. “In many cases, the places and businesses most interested in getting their stories out are the least able to afford it,” she said. The site focuses on storytelling; with “stories” illustrstrated with text, photos and videos. Stories are non-commercial in nature, but the site also welcomes commercial content such as may be provided by restaurants, lodging properties attractions and even non-profits that support the principles of geotourism.

Unique to most tourism sites, Hart said TravelGreenColorado.com will also feature an advocacy component so locals and visitors alike can discover and participate in opportunities that help promote a more sustainable approach to the futre. In addition to GARNA,  other geotourism allied non-profits are encouraged to use the site as a way to promote events, membership, volunteer opportunities and issues. All events, as well as blogs and other submissions by fans of geotourism can be found on TravelGreenColorado.com’s companion community site.

The concept for the site started out as just a local effort, but expanded statewide after the strong positive reception to the concept during last fall’s annual meeting of statewide tourism leaders. Other destinations throughout Colorado, including the San Luis Valley, Gunnison-Crested Butte, Glenwood Springs, Manitou Springs,  and others have expressed interest in joining the site.

TravelGreenColorado.com was created by Collegiate Peaks Geotourism co-founders Hart and Bill Donavan with programming wizardry provided by Andrew Koransky and Mark Wiard. For further information about the governor’s appearance or TravelGreenColorado.com, email Hart at lee@sustainable.travel.