Eagle County Lodging Tax Marketing Committee Funding Opportunity

The Eagle County Lodging Tax Marketing Committee, supported by the Eagle County Government, administers a grant program derived from a lodging tax approved by Eagle County voters on November 8, 2022. This tax applies to unincorporated areas of Eagle County, including Eagle-Vail, Edwards, El Jebel, and surrounding regions, as well as the Town of Gypsum. Ten percent of the lodging tax revenue is allocated for marketing, communications, and engagement initiatives that benefit these specific areas. The Committee is tasked with distributing approximately $350,000 for the 2026 funding cycle to support qualifying organizations aiming to enhance their marketing programs or projects. The purpose of the grant is to boost tourism, recreation, and cultural engagement through enhanced marketing efforts in unincorporated Eagle County and Gypsum. Funded initiatives should aim to increase visibility and attendance at local events or destinations, with a strong preference for innovative and collaborative marketing strategies. Projects should produce measurable results, such as increased attendance or improved marketing performance metrics, and applicants are required to provide data to support these outcomes. To be eligible, applicant organizations must have been operational for at least three years and fall under specific categories: 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(6) nonprofits, for-profit local businesses, special districts or authorities that do not collect lodging taxes, or the Town of Gypsum. All applicants must be registered with the Colorado Secretary of State and be in good standing with Eagle County regarding permits, licenses, and taxes. A completed W-9 form is also required. Projects must be located within eligible geographic areas, and funds must be used solely for marketing expenditures—not operational or capital costs, with the exception of tourist information centers. Funding is disbursed in two lump-sum payments: one at the time of award and the second upon submission of program reporting. Applicants must therefore have sufficient cash flow to initiate and maintain their marketing projects. Funds cannot be used for expenses that are covered by other federal, state, or local grants. Applications must include a detailed marketing budget, and the Committee's scoring rubric is used to evaluate submissions based on their innovation, impact, and alignment with program goals. The application process opens on November 14, 2025, and closes on January 16, 2026. Selected applicants will be invited for interviews and presentations during the week of March 18, 2026. Final funding decisions and notifications will occur during the week of March 23, 2026. The application materials include the official request form, budget template, and a published scoring rubric. The Committee has a history of funding a wide range of marketing initiatives from local chambers, tourism boards, recreation districts, and nonprofits. For more information, applicants can contact Eagle County Government at (970) 328-8600 or via email at [email protected]. All relevant documents, including past reports, meeting minutes, and bylaws, are accessible on the Eagle County Government website.

Prioritize innovation and collaboration focused on tourism or recreation in Eagle County.