Tourism Marketing Matching Grants Open Today

Denver (August 10, 2021) -- In an ongoing effort to support Colorado’s tourism industry through its recovery from the economic effects of the pandemic, the Colorado Tourism Office is today launching its Marketing Matching Grants program with larger grants and lower matching requirements.

“We know how important this matching marketing grants program is to our various Colorado communities and tourism-driven organizations,” said Elizabeth O’Rear, Director of Grants and Funding for the CTO. “To further help our industry partners, many with reduced budgets because of the pandemic, we have enhanced our program to offer more money and lower the matching requirements making this program more impactful than ever.” 

This grant program awards funding to eligible applicants for projects that promote the state as a tourism destination, supporting the Colorado Tourism Office’s (CTO) mission to “drive traveler spending through promotion and development of compelling, sustainable travel experiences throughout our four-corner state.” Additionally, these grants may be used for marketing projects that support better destination management such as educating visitors on how to recreate responsibly.

Changes to the Marketing Matching Grant program for fiscal year 2022 include:

  • Increased the amount of funding available for grant awards to $750,000 (more than what  has ever been allocated for the program; in FY 2020, we awarded $392,250 to 19 recipients) 
  • The maximum grant award amount has been raised to $40,000 from $25,000 
  • The required match has been lowered by 50% and is now a 2:1 match versus a 1:1 match in previous years. For example, if you request a grant of $40,000, you need to have at least $20,000 in other funding.

Projects that are funded by this grant will begin work in January 2022 and will target future economic development and recovery for the tourism industry throughout the year and beyond. 

Applications for these grants open today, August 10 and will remain open through 4 p.m. on Thursday, September 23, 2021. Projects selected for funding will be announced in November 2021. To learn more, visit the grants web page.