Colorado Tourism Office Tourism Marketing Matching Grant
Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) / Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT)
$2,500–$49,000 (2:1 match)
Researched for this program: 5 rejection traps · 5 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
Colorado 2:1 tourism marketing match grant
Colorado's Tourism Marketing Matching Grant provides $2,500–$49,000 to for-profit businesses, individual attractions, regional tourism associations, and DMOs for marketing campaigns that attract visitors to Colorado. For every $1 the grantee contributes, the CTO provides $2 in matching funds (2:1 state match). FY 2026 priority was Colorado's America 250 / Colorado 150 anniversary themes. Organizations that received this grant for 3 consecutive years must sit out one cycle before reapplying.
- Funding type
- Grant
- Level
- State
- Amount range
- $2,500 – $49,000
- Realistic amount
- Most for-profit applicants receive $15,000–$40,000 in CTO matching funds. Smaller attractions and businesses apply at th…
- Deadline
- FY 2026 cycle opening Summer 2026. FY 2025 cycle has closed. Annual cycle — watch oedit.colorado.gov for Summer 2026 application opening.
- Status
- active
- States
- CO
- Payment model
- reimbursement
Who qualifies
- For-profit organizations, individual attractions, museums, businesses, and regional tourism industry associations based in Colorado
- Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) are also eligible
- Applicants must demonstrate a clear tourism marketing purpose — attracting visitors to Colorado
- Must provide a cash match of at least $1 for every $2 of CTO grant funds requested
- Organizations that have received this grant for 3 consecutive years must sit out one cycle before applying again
- FY 2026 thematic priority: marketing campaigns that support America 250 / Colorado 150 anniversary, highlight Colorado's diverse heritage and cultures, and share uniquely Colorado stories
Hard requirements
- Location restriction: Colorado
- Restricted to industry: tourism-related business or attraction
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Digital advertising (search, social media, display, streaming) targeting Colorado tourism audiences
- Print advertising in travel publications and regional magazines
- Outdoor advertising (billboards, transit) in key visitor markets
- Website and content development for tourism marketing
- Photography and videography for marketing campaigns
- Travel trade and media outreach (FAM trips, press trips, trade shows)
- Cooperative advertising with the Colorado Tourism Office
Ineligible expenses
- Capital improvements, construction, and infrastructure
- Event operational costs (staffing, food and beverage, equipment)
- Scholarships or educational programs
- In-kind contributions (cash match only)
- Marketing activities not focused on attracting visitors to Colorado
How to apply
-
1
Review FY 2026 grant guidelines
Download the updated guidelines from oedit.colorado.gov when the Summer 2026 cycle opens. Review thematic priorities (America 250/Colorado 150) and eligible expense categories. Confirm you are not in a sit-out year.
-
2
Develop Colorado tourism marketing campaign
Design a marketing campaign targeting out-of-state or in-state visitors to Colorado. Incorporate FY 2026 thematic priorities where applicable. Define target markets, channels, budget, and measurable outcomes.
-
3
Submit application during summer 2026 window
Complete the online application through oedit.colorado.gov. Include: marketing campaign plan, itemized budget (CTO grant request + cash match), entity information, and prior grant history (if applicable).
-
4
Execute campaign and submit final report
Upon award, execute the approved marketing campaign. Submit a post-grant final report documenting actual expenditures, marketing activities, and measurable results (visitor reach, impressions, bookings).
Industry & certifications
NAICS codes: 721110, 713990, 713110, 722511
The 2:1 state match is unusually generous — for every $1 you put in, the state puts in $2. That means $16,333 of your own cash gets you the $49,000 maximum award. For-profit attractions and lodging operators outside Denver's metro are underrepresented applicants in this program.
Deadline & timing
Annual program with summer opening. The FY 2025 cycle has closed; FY 2026 cycle opens Summer 2026. Organizations that received this grant for 3 consecutive years are ineligible for one cycle (sit-out requirement) — plan accordingly. FY 2026 thematic priority: America 250 / Colorado 150 anniversary marketing campaigns.
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