Colorado Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry

Supporting local economic development and increased access to the outdoors across the Western Slope to Southern Colorado

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced the inaugural Outside Festival at Denver’s Civic Center Park, June 1-2, 2024. This flagship event will celebrate Colorado’s unparalleled outdoor recreation lifestyle and industry, while advancing our state’s commitment to increasing access to the outdoors. 

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 12 new recipients of the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation grant across the state. These grants will promote career development, hiring efforts and marketing in Colorado’s thriving outdoor recreation sector and have been awarded to organizations from Craig to Ridgway and Arvada to Colorado City.

Today, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced 24 recipients of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF). These grants are intended to help outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits hire and retain over 100 full-time and part-time positions.

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced nine new recipients of the Colorado State Outdoor Recreation Grant across the state.

Today, Governor Polis and the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced a new grant program to support continued pandemic recovery among outdoor recreation industry businesses and nonprofits. The Outdoor Recreation Industry Impact Fund (ORIIF) will provide funding to help outdoor recreation industry employers hire and retain staff across the state.

This summer, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (or as we like to call it, OREC) took to the road for a listening tour. The team criss-crossed the state meeting with community and business leaders in communities from Monte Vista and Durango to Fort Morgan and Sterling—all with the goal of hearing firsthand what these communities are experiencing in a world changed by the pandemic.

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced today two new grant programs designed to accelerate pandemic recovery in Colorado tourism destinations and the state’s outdoor recreation industry.