Eligible applicants included:

• a local government
• destination marketing organization
• chamber of commerce
• tourism industry association
• a tourism board, panel, or committee

To apply for this grant, applicants needed to:

• identify at least one or two local champions to lead the effort, and a diverse group of active partners that can attend the workshop and maintain ongoing involvement
• provide a venue to meet in-person in the destination
• provide outreach to locals for in-person training sessions (business owners, potential tourism entrepreneurs, local government, chamber of commerce, etc.)

Each applicant was limited to one CRAFT workshop per state fiscal year (July to June).

The Colorado Rural Academy For Tourism (CRAFT) is no longer active. Follow this link to learn more about active Colorado Tourism Office Destination Development programs.

A representative from the Colorado Tourism Office responded to CRAFT Workshop applications within two weeks of submissions. 

Application materials

Application questions
The questions below are only a reference and do not include all of the information required in the application.

• What CRAFT Workshop topic is your destination interested in?
• Describe your destination’s need for tourism development training for your chosen workshop topic. Include why your destination is seeking this opportunity from the Colorado Tourism Office.
• Describe why your destination needs tourism education and training now. Why is the timing right?
• List at least three potential outcomes if your destination is awarded a CRAFT workshop.
• Identify at least one local champion who will lead this effort. Provide details about how they have successfully led previous tourism-related efforts in the destination. Include how they plan to be inclusive in engaging community stakeholders.
• Provide examples of past successful community-based initiatives that demonstrate your destination’s ability to convene and implement collaborative tourism projects.
• Explain how you and your destination will support on-site coordination of CRAFT Workshop activities.

Supporting documents

• at least three letters of support that demonstrate the potential outcomes for the destination
• a list of individuals and organizations that will support this effort and the role they will play throughout the program’s duration

This was a competitive award program, and not all applicants received a CRAFT Workshop. The Colorado Tourism Office reviewed applications and recommended awards based on application scores and available funds. 

The panel reviews applications on these criteria:

Merit (30%)

• destination need
• urgency

Impact (25%)
Applicants needed to show outcomes and potential for success.

Community Involvement (30%)

• local champions
• core team
• evidence of community support

Implementation Capacity (15%)

• planning and management
• support and financial ability

CRAFT Workshop Implementation Funding grants provided CRAFT Workshop participants with $2,500 to implement one or more tourism projects that were discussed during the workshop. Awarded destinations needed to apply for this grant within 90 days of completion of the CRAFT Workshop. Projects needed to be completed within 12 months of receiving grant funds.

Past grantees used these funds to:

• pursue a regional tourism industry initiative
• develop oral histories
• identify assets and create itineraries
• create content
• develop an agritourism map

Ineligible uses of funds included:

• staffing/salary costs
• basic overhead needs
• capital improvements, new construction, renovation, or restoration
• professional training or scholarship
• reimbursement of fees or expenses paid prior to application award
• office supplies or items for resale

How to apply

Applicants needed to include a:

• detailed project description
• timeline for the project
• budget outlining all anticipated expenses

Selection process

A panel of Colorado Tourism Office staff and a program facilitator reviewed applications and recommended awards based on available funds.

Conditions of funding

As a condition of the receipt of a CRAFT Workshop Implementation Funding grant, awardees needed to complete a baseline questionnaire and a mid-program evaluation. Within 30 days after completion of the CRAFT Workshop Implementation Funding grant project, they also needed to submit a final report. Twelve to 18 months after completion of the CRAFT Workshop, Colorado Tourism Office staff met with awardees to gauge the long-term results of the investment.