Press Room

Giron bill to expand regional tourism and create jobs signed into law

Friday, June 10 2011

"We will continue to support economic development projects that promote job creation and will benefit local communities and the state for years to come.”

PUEBLO— Today, Governor John Hickenlooper signed House Bill 1311 to support large scale tourism projects. Senator Angela Giron (D-Pueblo) sponsored the bill in the Senate, and she was joined by a broad coalition of supporters at the CSU library in Pueblo, today, to take part in the ceremony. House Bill 1311 builds upon legislation passed in 2009, known as the Regional Tourism Act (SB09-173).

Senator Giron offered the following comment on the bill signing of House Bill 1311 today:

“Tourism is a vital part of Colorado’s economy.  Promoting tourism will help small businesses expand and hire new workers, creating local jobs and putting more money in our communities. This bill sends a positive message to cities and counties across Colorado that we will continue to support economic development projects that promote job creation and will benefit local communities and the state for years to come.”

The bill will expand opportunities for local governments to compete for a share of $50 million in grant funding to support large-scale, tourism related projects. New projects will have the opportunity apply for grants and projects not selected this year will be allowed to resubmit their application for consideration in 2012.

The Regional Tourism Act of 2009 allowed for two large-scale projects to be approved by the Economic Development Commission (EDC).  House Bill 1311 allows the EDC to approve up to four additional projects.

House Bill 1311 received broad bipartisan support in both chambers of the legislature. The bill was sponsored in the House by Representatives Andy Kerr (D-Lakewood) and Keith Swerdfeger (R-Pueblo).