%20--%3e%3cg%3e%3cg%20id='Logotype'%3e%3cg%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M46.37,250.9L136.63,28.98H0v237.25C0,296.87,21.93,318.83,52.56,318.83v-.03h160.64v-154.45l-156.9,95.23c-5.8,3.71-12.82-2.05-9.94-8.68Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M347.35,104.3c-68.33,0-115.93,44.71-115.93,108.91s47.6,108.9,115.93,108.9,115.93-44.72,115.93-108.9-47.6-108.91-115.93-108.91ZM347.35,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M633.86,118.01c0,3.31-3.71,3.31-7.02,1.66-18.22-9.54-32.29-15.3-53-15.3-56.71,0-95.62,42.66-95.62,108.08s39.32,109.7,93.14,109.7v-.03c21.93,0,35.61-7.02,56.31-19.87,3.71-2.48,8.28-1.66,6.19,3.71l-5.36,12.85h86.51V28.98h-81.15v89.03ZM594.11,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M1406.03,107.65l-23.58,112.61c-1.66,8.68-11.59,9.11-13.65-.4l-24.84-112.22h-94.79c-39.32,0-51.74-11.99-51.74-29.81s10.33-28.15,27.72-28.15c20.27,0,30.64,16.16,32.69,32.29h79.5C1325.35,29.38,1286.43,0,1230.52,0,1168.85,0,1130.32,36.04,1130.32,91.09v16.56h-44.71v67.07h44.71v144.08h81.15v-143.68h70.23l46.53,124.21c3.31,8.28,2.88,17.39-.4,26.1l-28.55,68.73h80.25l120.47-286.51h-93.97Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M886.41,117.98c0,3.31-3.71,3.31-7.02,1.66-19.87-9.94-34.35-15.3-54.65-15.3-60.45,0-93.97,49.29-93.97,107.65,0,64.59,37.26,98.54,87.77,98.54,23.19,0,40.57-7.02,62.1-19.47,5.37-3.31,9.51-.4,7.45,4.57-9.11,20.7-28.55,31.47-59.62,31.47h-83.2v67.07h98.5c72.04,0,123.78-47.63,123.78-114.67V107.65h-81.15v10.33ZM846.67,255.04c-24.41,0-42.23-17.39-42.23-41.8s17.79-41.83,42.23-41.83,42.23,17.39,42.23,41.83-17.79,41.8-42.23,41.8Z'/%3e%3cpath%20fill='%23141313'%20d='M1026.35,18.18c-26.1,0-44.71,16.16-44.71,39.35s18.61,39.35,44.71,39.35,44.72-16.16,44.72-39.35-18.62-39.35-44.72-39.35Z'/%3e%3crect%20fill='%23141313'%20x='985.78'%20y='107.65'%20width='81.15'%20height='211.15'/%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/g%3e%3c/svg%3e)
What is the Colorado Tourism Office (COTO)?
The Colorado Tourism Office (COTO) is the state-level Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for Colorado. Its mission is to drive traveler spending, create tourism-related jobs, and enhance the state's economy and quality of life through strategic marketing and development.
Funded primarily by state gaming tax revenues, COTO markets Colorado's diverse attractions, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation opportunities. It works to inspire travel and position the state as a leading year-round destination.
Join the Lodgify newsletter
How it works
COTO executes its mission through a variety of initiatives. It develops and launches comprehensive marketing and advertising campaigns, such as the well-known "Care for Colorado" sustainability program, across digital, print, and broadcast media.
The office manages Colorado.com, the state's official tourism website, which serves as a central hub for travel planning and information. COTO also conducts extensive market research to track visitor volume, spending, and travel trends, making this data available to industry stakeholders.
It collaborates closely with regional DMOs, local chambers of commerce, and private tourism businesses to coordinate promotional efforts and provide resources like marketing toolkits and grant opportunities.
Why it matters
For vacation rental owners and managers in Colorado, COTO's work is significant as it stimulates overall demand for accommodations across the state. By promoting specific regions, seasonal activities, and events, the office helps drive bookings, extend the tourism season, and increase occupancy rates.
Hosts can leverage COTO's research to inform their pricing and marketing strategies. Aligning a property's marketing with COTO's statewide campaigns can increase its visibility and appeal to travelers already inspired by the state's promotional efforts.
Examples
- A vacation rental owner in Steamboat Springs uses imagery and messaging from COTO's 'Winter in Colorado' campaign on their social media channels to attract skiers.
- A property manager in Grand Junction reviews COTO's annual tourism report to understand visitor demographics and adjust their marketing to target growing segments, such as family travelers.
- An owner of a cabin near Rocky Mountain National Park incorporates principles from the 'Care for Colorado' program into their house rules and welcome guide, appealing to eco-conscious guests.
- A host in Telluride utilizes COTO's free photography and video assets on their direct booking website to showcase the scenic beauty of the San Juan Mountains.
Frequently asked questions
What is the primary function of the Colorado Tourism Office?+
How can vacation rental hosts work with the Colorado Tourism Office?+
How is the Colorado Tourism Office funded?+
What is the 'Care for Colorado' initiative?+
Related terms
Adventure Tourism
Adventure tourism is a type of travel that involves exploration or activities with a perceived or actual level of risk, often taking place in natural…
COSTRA - Colorado Short-Term Rental Association
COSTRA, the Colorado Short-Term Rental Association, is a non-profit organization that represents and advocates for the interests of short-term rental owners…
Sustainable Tourism
Sustainable tourism is an approach to travel that considers the full environmental, social, and economic impacts of tourism. It aims to minimize negative…
Ecotourism
Ecotourism is a form of tourism centered on responsible travel to natural areas. It aims to conserve the environment, sustain the well-being of local people…