Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office

Ready to turn those big ideas into real results for your rural Colorado community? 🌟 The Rural Strategies Lab is here to support your local economy.

This program connects community leaders with expert education, strategic planning, and practical tools to succeed. Even better, completing the program makes you eligible to apply for a $10,000 implementation grant to fuel your projects! Explore these incredible initiatives designed to spark growth:
•Destination Blueprint Program
•OREC Rural Technical Assistance Program
•Call Yourself Creative
•Global Business Development Bootcamp
•Rural Strategies Lab: Talent Innovation

Applications for the 2026 Rural Strategies Lab are open and close on June 30, 2026. Learn more and turn your ideas into actionable strategies👇
https://oedit.colorado.gov/programs-and-funding/rural-strategies-lab?utm_campaign=OEDIT+Website&utm_content=1777568417&utm_medium=Colorado+Office+of+Economic+Development+and+International+Trade&utm_source=facebook

📣Registration is now open for the Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP)!📣

RTAP works with CO rural communities to revitalize their economies by leveraging their local outdoor recreation opportunities.

And while different communities may be in various stages of development, all of those selected would benefit from the creation of a comprehensive and holistic plan that outlines key community goals and targeted action items.

There is a broad range of eligibility for interested communities. Consideration will be given for regional or county-wide projects, but preference may be given to individual communities.

Apply by August 7, 2026 for participation in the Spring 2027 cohort: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd99E2I2YvizQEmAryJa1gxTAp1AdCx2qFBzOTBxtWW0kSfug/viewform

Learn more about RTAP: https://oedit.colorado.gov/about/oedit-divisions/colorado-outdoor-recreation-industry-office/orec-rural-technical-assistance

Colorado is well known for its world-class outdoors and outstanding recreation. As we honor our 150th anniversary of statehood, we are celebrating the partnerships forged through the Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP) run by OEDIT’s Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office (OREC) to support rural communities as they leverage new opportunities in outdoor recreation.

Last year, OREC supported three workshops in rural Colorado for communities planning to develop local outdoor recreation industries. The partnership with Masters of the Environment, CU Boulder (MENV) brought together community members in Beulah, Keystone, and La Junta to plan for outdoor recreation development under the guidance of graduate students.

Learn more about how RTAP aims to revitalize Colorado’s rural economies by leveraging their local outdoor recreation opportunities. 👇
https://oedit.colorado.gov/about/oedit-divisions/colorado-outdoor-recreation-industry-office/orec-rural-technical-assistance?utm_campaign=About&utm_content=1780516808&utm_medium=Colorado+Office+of+Economic+Development+and+International+Trade&utm_source=facebook

📣Registration is now open for the Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit (COILS) 2026.📣

COILS is a free three-day annual conference where professionals across Colorado’s outdoor industry come to learn, connect, and collaborate in an organic way that creates lasting relationships that strengthen and advance our collective industry.

Last year, many attandees gathered at the Estes Park and bonded over shared struggles and challenges the industry is facing. We identified the obstacles, but many of us left asking: “What’s next?”

In 2025, we named the problems; in 2026, we map the solutions. Our theme this year, Base Camp to Peak, is all about moving from observation to action.

Through focused and structured brainstorming, connection, and creative problem-solving, we will build the framework to sustain and grow our communities and advance our industry.

Come navigate that journey with us this year at COILS.

Spots are limited, register today and book your hotel: https://web.cvent.com/event/85250722-3a95-479a-81c4-1701112f9515/register?environment=P2

The networking event of the year is happening next week and we're so excited! 🙌

The Outside Days industry conference is for professionals in the outdoor, active lifestyle, and travel markets, and a networking and thought leadership gathering for outdoor professionals, a startup pitch competition that brings together founders and investors.

All conference tracks can be accessed with an Industry Pass, which includes access to Friday Outside Days festival programming, plus exclusive networking spaces over the weekend.

Learn more about tickets and programming: https://outsidedays.outsideonline.com/industry-conference

🔔TOMORROW, Wednesday, May 20th, is the last day to submit your session proposal for the Colorado Outdoor Industry Leadership Summit (COILS).

If you have a story, a strategy, or a solution that can strengthen the collective outdoor industry, we want to hear from you. We are seeking strong proposals that align with our theme, Base Camp to Peak, and bring a fresh perspective and creativity in both content and presentation.

And if you're interested in leading an outdoor activity for COILS, please fill out the call for proposals form.

Registration for COILS will open this month. Registration is free. Thank you and best of luck in the application process! https://forms.gle/MhqRmwCSAX94WhBG6

Did you know that the first hiking-specific expo will be tomorrow in Denver? And it's free!

HikeExpo is built for hikers, outdoor enthusiasts, brands, and creators in a B2B2C setting for everyone to be able to connect with brands, learn and be inspired from speakers, and see new and current products on the market.

Catch OREC Director Conor Hall as one of the event's keynotes for tomorrow! Learn more and register today: https://hikeexpocolorado.com/tickets