State of Colorado Announces Support for Creative Industries in the North Fork Valley

Grant to expand impact of the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, including a full-time executive director

PAONIA — Today, the Office of Just Transition (OJT) within the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment (CDLE) and the Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) announced state support for the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, which champions arts, culture and the creative industries on the Western Slope across the towns of Crawford, Hotchkiss and Paonia. This support will play a key role in promoting rural economic vitality through year-round programming, artist and vendor support, public events, and business development services.

"In Colorado, we know that arts and culture are part of who we are and strengthen our economy. This grant to the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition will grow the creative industries on the western slope and help drive rural economic development in Delta County. I'm excited to see how this grant will grow the impact this coalition has in the community," said Governor Polis.

The Colorado Economic Development Commission has approved $75,000 for the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, which manages the Paonia Creative District, certified by Colorado Creative Industries. The grant will help fund a full time executive director position over three years to increase the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition's capacity to support the development of the region's creative economy.

"This grant will strengthen our continued work to foster a vibrant community and multi-sector creative economy," said North Fork Valley Creative Coalition Director Jess Dervin-Ackermann. "The North Fork Valley has always been full of incredible makers, producers, artists and musicians, and we are excited to keep that spirit alive."

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The coalition is a member-based organization representing over 150 artists, small businesses and nonprofits. The coalition creates annual free, community events that stimulate the local economy and attract new visitors and vending outlets to the North Fork Valley. The coalition estimates that a full-time executive director will expand the organization's capacity to support local communities, resulting in business support for over 120 additional creative businesses and nonprofits over the next three years as well as an additional 150 local vendors and 40 regional musicians through marketing, event production, and collaborative regional tourism marketing. This work is expected to include the opening of a co-working and business development space in downtown Paonia in 2026. Led and managed by the new full-time executive director, the facility will act as a business innovation hub. "Arts and culture contribute $19.7 billion, or 3.7% of Colorado's economy, and support over 121,000 jobs across the state. By supporting the work of the North Fork Valley Creative Coalition, we can help ensure the economic vitality of the creative sector is fully realized in Western Colorado while diversifying the local economy," said OEDIT Executive Director Eve Lieberman.

"We're excited about the coalition's plans to help diversify the economy in the North Fork Valley," said OJT Director Wade Buchanan. "Leaning into these creative strategies will help the region's transition, while also strengthening community and culture."

The funding announced today is part of an ongoing effort by the Polis Administration, OEDIT and OJT to support communities that have relied on coal mines and coal-fired power plants for employment to diversify their local economies through new workforce pipelines and property tax revenues. Since 2022, OJT and OEDIT have dedicated over $13 million in funding to local economic development initiatives on Colorado's Western Slope. With this grant, the agencies have now awarded $11.07 million of those funds to 29 different local projects from business parks and entrepreneurship centers to outdoor recreation attractions, water infrastructure projects, and regional planning efforts.

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About the Office of Just Transition

Colorado created the Office of Just Transition within Colorado's Department of Labor and Employment in 2019 to assist workers and communities that will be adversely affected by the loss of jobs and revenues due to the closure of coal mines and coal-fired power plants. Its purpose is to help workers transition to new, high-quality jobs to help communities continue to thrive by expanding and attracting diverse businesses, and to replace lost revenues. To learn more about the Office of Just Transition, its action plan and the corresponding legislation, please visit cdle.colorado.gov/offices/the-office-of-just-transition.

About the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade (OEDIT) works to empower all to thrive in Colorado's economy. Under the leadership of the Governor and in collaboration with economic development partners across the state, we foster a thriving business environment through funding and financial programs, training, consulting and informational resources across industries and regions. We promote economic growth and long-term job creation by recruiting, retaining, and expanding Colorado businesses and providing programs that support entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes at every stage of growth. Our goal is to protect what makes our state a great place to live, work, start a business, raise a family, visit and retire—and make it accessible to everyone. Learn more at OEDIT.colorado.gov.

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