Organization
In 1908, Denver hosted the Democratic National Convention. Recognizing the economic benefit that came from this meeting, some farsighted businessmen created a new agency that would come to be called VISIT DENVER.
VISIT DENVER is a private, nonprofit trade association that is responsible for marketing metro Denver as a convention and leisure destination. The Bureau is contracted by the City & County of Denver to act as the official marketing agency for Denver. It is governed by a board of directors and employs a staff of more than 65 professionals.
Our Company values are the set of guiding principles and fundamental beliefs that allow our team members to function together and work toward a common goal:
- Customer Service: Deliver exceptional service by putting our customers first, anticipating their needs and exceeding their expectations.
- Integrity: All actions reflect ethical beliefs and behavior.
- Excellence: Our hard work reflects dedication to excellence in all that we do.
- Creativity: We constantly seek to enhance and grow the business by challenging the status quo.
- Teamwork: Internally, we work together as a team through mutual trust and respect. Externally, team success in the community allows us to deliver the Denver experience.
Funding
VISIT DENVER is funded from both private (membership, advertising, and sponsorship) and public sources (voter-approved lodging tax). In 2023, the Bureau had a budget of $47.3 million, which was derived from 3.75 percent of the lodger's tax in the City and County of Denver, from advertising and private fundraising and from the membership fees the Bureau collects from its nearly 1,200 business members.
Impact of Tourism
In 2023, 20.5 million overnight visitors spent $8.8 billion in Denver. Travel spending in metro Denver contributed $871 million in state and local tax revenue. Direct visitor spending benefits hotels, retailers, restaurants, attractions, transportation services and other businesses, and supports jobs for 73,600 people in metro Denver. (Sources: 2023 Longwoods International, 2023 Dean Runyan)
The Bureau uses a sophisticated, integrated marketing approach to sell Denver as a travel destination, which includes direct sales, advertising, tourism and convention industry trade shows, digital promotions, public relations, social media and more. VISIT DENVER maintains the City’s official tourism website (VISITDENVER.com), Official Visitors Guide to Denver & Colorado and Official Tourist Information Centers.
History of Tourism in Denver & Beyond
"The story of tourism in Denver is also the history of our city and our people."
- John Hickenlooper
Mayor, City & County of Denver, 2003-2011
Read about 100 years of Mile High Tourism online or purchase the book from the Tattered Cover Book Store.
Partnerships
For more information on how to become a partner of VISIT DENVER and promote your business to visitors, please visit the partnership section. For information on employment at VISIT DENVER, please visit the career center.
Strategic Partnerships
City of Denver
Colorado Tourism Office
Colorado Convention Center
Denver Arts & Venues
Denver International Airport
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Colorado Hotel & Lodging Association/Metro Denver Lodging Council
Colorado Association of Destination Marketing Organizations
Tourism Industry of Colorado
VISIT DENVER Partner Organizations
VISIT DENVER is an accredited Destination Marketing Organization from Destinations International (DI). Click to learn more about DI.
