Colorado tourism success starts at home DENVER, September 5- Colorado Governor Bill Ritter has officially proclaimed September 10-14, Let's Talk Colorado Week as part of a joint effort by The Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) and AAA Colorado to increase awareness of all the state has to offer its residents, both native and new. Let's Talk Colorado Week includes a kick-off press conference by the Governor (September 7, 1:30 p.m., west steps of the Capitol), a sweepstakes to win two tickets on the AAA Grand Junction Wine Train, and an informational gift bag for the first 3,000 people who visit one of AAA Colorado's 14 statewide offices. Additionally, AAA Colorado has released a 10-question quiz, "How well do you know Colorado?" that will challenge even the most well-traveled Coloradans. The questions are available at www.aaa.com/colorado. The Governor will officially release the answers at the September 7 press conference, and then they will be available on those websites. "Tourism is one of the largest industries in Colorado, with a tremendous economic impact," says Governor Ritter. "It's important that public and private organizations such as AAA Colorado and the Colorado Tourism Office partner to promote tourism growth in our state. Let's Talk Colorado Week emphasizes that tourism needs to start in our own backyard, with our own citizens learning more about Colorado travel." Tourism is one of Colorado's top sources of revenue. According to the CTO, tourism dollars brought $8.9 billion to the Colorado economy in 2006, with 15 percent of that revenue generated from Colorado residents traveling within Colorado. Additionally, more than 10 percent of Colorado residents have lived here less than five years, according to the State Demography Office. For both native and new residents, the state has much to offer. "You could travel every weekend for years and never see all of what this wonderful state has to offer," says State Senator Jack Taylor, R-Steamboat Springs, who is a long-time tourism advocate. "People from all over spend big dollars and a lot of effort to come experience Colorado," adds Representative Al White, R-Winter Park, who is also a long-time tourism supporter. "Yet in Colorado we sometimes overlook what is so obviously apparent to visitors from across the country and around the world." During Let's Talk Colorado Week, all Colorado residents are invited to visit one of AAA Colorado's 14 statewide offices to get instate travel ideas. The first 3,000 visitors will receive a free informational gift bag that contains the CTO's official visitor guide, a AAA Colorado TourBook, roadmap, a TripTik Travel Planner sample, and a few surprises. Additionally, all Coloradans can register to win a weekend trip for two on AAA Colorado's Spring Wine Train, one of the most popular trips booked through AAA Colorado's travel agency. The trip includes train transportation from Denver to Grand Junction, two nights accommodation, numerous winery visits and luxury tour bus return to Denver. Entry forms and complete rules and regulations for the sweepstakes can be found at all AAA Colorado offices or online at www.aaa.com/colorado. That site also gives the location of all AAA Colorado offices. AAA Colorado has more than 500,000 members in Colorado and is an advocate for safety and security for all travelers. As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 50 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services, as well as member-exclusive savings. AAA can be visited on the Internet at www.aaa.com. For additional Colorado travel ideas, visit the Colorado Tourism Office website at www.COLORADO.com or call 1-800-COLORADO for a free copy of the Colorado 2007 Official State Vacation Guide. ###
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