FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:    Kathryn S. Finau
Project Manager
KSF Strategic Services
719-469-8818
ksfinau@rural-com.com

After Four Years, SECORT Still Bringing Ideas to the Region

Las Animas, Colo., August 7, 2007 – The Southeast Colorado Regional Tourism Group (SECORT) has been meeting monthly for the past four years to discuss ways to position Southeast Colorado as a tourism destination by educating the communities in Southeast Colorado how to treat, accommodate, and enhance the tourism experience in our area; providing a model for collaboration that is effective and participatory by rotating meetings throughout the region and educating ourselves about the tourism assets in the region; demonstrating the economic benefit of SECORT and tourism to the communities in the region; and supporting the understanding, preservation, and appreciation of the unique cultural and natural environment of the region.

SECORT meets monthly in rotating locations throughout the region.  The next regional meeting will be on Thursday, September 13, 2007 at Boggsville.  On Thursday, Oct. 4, 2007 SECORT will meet in Two Buttes, on Thursday, November 1, 2007 the meeting will be in Kiowa County, and on Thursday, December 6, 2007 SECORT will meet in Prowers County. 

For the next four months, SECORT will be sponsoring a number of workshops to bring professionals to the region to provide guidance about the technical skills and resources the region can acquire to build upon its history to develop a heritage economy. 

On September 11, 2007 at the Rocky Ford Depot – Baggage Room from 9:00AM-Noon, SECORT will sponsor a workshop on starting a Community Foundation.  Representatives from the Rocky Mountain Farmers Union, Southern Colorado Community Foundation, and the Anschutz Family Foundation will discuss the benefits of starting a community foundation, the process involved, and the support they offer. 

SECORT has partnered with Colorado State Parks on a Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan.  The first regional forum was held in April 2007.  The second regional forum will be held in September 2007 and the final regional forum will take place towards the end of the year.  Not only will this plan help direct and prioritize the activities of the Colorado State Parks but will also assist the region in coordinating local recreation development activities.

The Colorado Tourism Board will be having its quarterly Board meeting in the region in September 2007.  SECORT is helping to organize the meeting and provide interesting activities to help educate them about the tourism potential of the region.

The Walden Mills Group, SECORT consultant team, will present at the Agritourism Forum at the Rocky Ford Gobin’s Building on October 18-19, 2007.

SECORT will sponsor a day-long workshop on the importance of our historic theaters on October 26, 2007 at the historic theater in Lamar from 9:00AM-4:00PM to learn about the funding opportunities and support options for historic theaters in the region.

In partnership with SECORT, the Colorado Historical Society will present a day-long workshop on the benefits and process of becoming a Certified Local Government on November 9, 2007, from 10:00AM-3:00PM at the John W. Rawlings Heritage Center in Las Animas.  Because all six counties have a Preserve America Community designation, they are now eligible to become a Certified Local Government which may receive federal funding for preservation activities provided they meet certain preservation standards.

For additional information, Contact: Kathryn S. Finau, Project Manager, KSF Strategic Services, 23275 Hwy. 101, Las Animas, CO  81054, 719-469-8818, ksfinau@rural-com.com.