HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 10/11/2016 - Letter From Bob Overbeck To Colorado Tourism Office Re: Cto Marketing Matching GrantCity Council
City Hall
300 LaPorte Ave.
PO Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522
970.221.6878
970.224.6107 - fax
fcgov.com
September 29, 2016
Grant Committee
Colorado Tourism Office
World Trade Center Denver
1625 Broadway St #2700
Denver, CO 80202
RE: CTO Marketing Matching Grant
Dear Colorado Tourism Office Grant Committee:
The City of Fort Collins supports the Colorado National Heritage Area Loop marketing project
that is being proposed by the Poudre Heritage Alliance (PHA), managing entity of the Cache la
Poudre River National Heritage Area (CALA), in a regional partnership with the Sangre de
Cristo and South Park National Heritage Areas (NHA). This coordinated marketing plan for
concentrated tour development will increase regional destination tourism between all three
Colorado NHAs.
The City has a long-standing commitment and relationship with the Cache la Poudre River both
within our city boundaries and beyond. The importance of this natural feature is not only
environmental, but historical, recreational, and economic. A green ribbon of conserved natural
areas, storm water detention areas and parks create a corridor for the paved Poudre Trail, a
treasured community amenity. The city owns about 75% of the floodplain through town and
these public areas are a refuge from urban life, they provide flood protection, they are a home for
native wildlife and plants, and they are an important educational and recreational destination.
Multiple City plans and policies related to the Poudre River and guide the municipal
government’s interactions with it. The City continues to commit resources to ensure and
enhance the river’s health and accessibility.
The Colorado National Heritage Area Loop project that is being proposed supports and enhances
the City’s interpretive and educational efforts. The City and Poudre Heritage Alliance have a
history of working together that creates a strong foundation for partnering on this project as well.
For example, PHA has been involved in and financially supported the development of several
interpretive signs at City of Fort Collins Natural Areas that highlight water history. The City is
looking forward to collaborating with PHA to develop the portion of the loop tour that takes
place in the CALA as many of the intriguing elements of this NHA are city-owned locations or
interpretive features.
October 6, 2016
TO: Mayor & City Council
FROM: Councilmember Bob Overbeck
FYI /sek
Fort Collins is an innovative, educated, and outdoors oriented community that would
enthusiastically respond to a new way to further explore the Cache la Poudre River National
Heritage Area as well as the other two Colorado NHAs. The City supports this project and we
encourage the Colorado Tourism Office to fund the project.
Sincerely,
Bob Overbeck
Councilmember
City of Fort Collins
District 1