With the statewide need to advance industry workforce, the Destination Learning Lab Program aims to build a community of knowledgeable frontline workers who can ensure a positive experience for your residents and visitors. 

Participants in the program will be paired with a CTO consultant and will receive their own destination learning lab on the CTO Learning Labs platform, plus 12 hours of promotional support for the launch. 

Selected destinations will create a templated learning lab that includes:

• Up to 10 pages of customized content.
• Up to 10 quiz questions.
• Images and videos from the destination.
• A certificate of completion.

Further benefits are available at the destination's cost, such as a branded one-sheeter for your frontline workers and translation to Spanish.

Program objectives include:

• Increased knowledge of local offerings.
• Increased awareness of the value of tourism in your destination.
• Increased connection to frontline workers.
• Enhanced visitor experience.

Eligible applicants include Destination Marketing/Management Organizations (DMMOs). Only one application per Colorado destination organization or Colorado tourism industry association will be accepted for the program.

Applications for the Destination Learning Lab Program are closed. If you are interested in developing a destination learning lab, please fill out this letter of interest form.

Applications are first vetted through an internal compliance review to ensure eligibility and that all responses have been submitted. Incomplete applications may be rejected.

The committee will score applications on these criteria:

• Strength of application.
• Demonstrated need for the project.
• Capacity to implement and maintain a learning lab on CTO learning labs platform.
• Clarity of destination's roles and responsibilities for the project.

The following table outlines the timeline for the projects awarded

Incorporate Learning Labs into your social media outreach

Promote the CTO Learning Labs through your social media network by pulling content from the five Learning Labs. Pose a safety question to your community or quiz them on a regional fact, and encourage them to complete the full training. Build a plan to regularly remind your destination of the free resource.

Incorporate Learning Labs into your onboarding practices

If you are a company, agency or organization the program is a great tool to incorporate into employee onboarding practices, and is helpful for new organizations beginning to build their workplace culture. If you are a destination marketing organization or chamber of commerce, consider including messaging on the CTO Learning Labs program during your outreach to new businesses in your area.

Share your success stories with the Colorado Tourism Office to inspire others

If you have found new ways to use the CTO Learning Labs in your community, spread the message far and wide to your network and let us know. We would like to hear your stories and amplify your experiences. Reach out to the program manager below with your experiences.