TORONTO — There were cowboy hats, cocktails and camaraderie, all thanks to the Colorado Tourism Office, at last night’s Colorado Party celebrating the state’s 150th anniversary – and its commitment to the Canadian market.
“No matter what’s happening, we’ll be here,” CTO Director Tim Wolfe told Travelweek at the lively reception, high atop the Ace Hotel in Toronto.
“We haven’t lost any Canadian visitation. If anything we’re flat or even a little bit up. And our airline capacity was actually up 1 or 2% in 2025 compared to 2024,” said Wolfe.
Border states have been hit hard by the downward trend in Canada-to-U.S. travel, he added. “We’re an intentional destination. We’re not a drive market. People who want to come to Colorado, they make the trip.”
“AIRLIFT REMAINS STEADY”
Plenty of Canadians continue to make the trip. “Despite concerns about cross-border travel sentiment, airlift remains steady into DEN, one of the busiest airports in the U.S. and the largest commercial airport in Colorado and the principal entry point for most Canadian travellers entering Colorado,” said Wolfe.
Direct nonstop flights from Toronto to Denver take about three hours and 45 minutes. Air Canada operates direct flights to DEN from multiple Canadian gateways (Toronto, Montréal and Vancouver) with one-stop connections from Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Winnipeg and Halifax. WestJet’s direct nonstop flights between Calgary and Denver are a quick two hours and 40 minutes. And United offers Winnipeg-Denver service.
The Colorado Tourism Office team, joined by U.S. Consul General Baxter Hunt (back centre left, next to CTO Director Tim Wolfe), hosted a Colorado Party last night at Toronto’s Ace Hotel
“THAT FAMILIARITY BRINGS CONFIDENCE & COMFORT”
The CTO’s key messages for Canada? This year marks Colorado’s 150th birthday, and the state has kicked off CO150 celebrations in style. This coming March 15 is also the second annual Colorado-Canada Friendship Day, when the state celebrates its cultural and economic ties with the Great White North.
Also new and notable: Snowmass Rendezvous celebrates its 10th anniversary this year; the new Leonardo da Vinci Museum of North America is getting ready to debut in Pueblo, CO; Sundance Film Festival is moving to Boulder, CO in 2027; and CTO has partnered with Wheel The World on a new accessible travel program to amplify accessible travel across the state.
Year-round Colorado connects travellers to nature and the outdoors through stunning landscapes, spectacular National Parks and an average of 300 days of sunshine. It’s also a mecca for winter sports. The dining scene is thriving, and wellness isn’t just a trend here, it’s a lifestyle. Colorado is also now home to 12 International Dark Sky Parks and seven International Dark Sky Communities.
“Colorado feels different – culturally, politically and experientially. The state has been welcoming Canadian travellers for decades. That familiarity brings confidence and comfort,” Wolfe tells Travelweek.
AGENT TOOLS FROM COLORADO PARTNERS
The Colorado delegation at last night’s event included partners from Visit Ft. Collins, Visit Estes Park and Canyon Spirit and more …
VISIT FT. COLLINS: “Colorado scenery, comfort and culture without the crowds. Fort Collins is Colorado’s best-kept secret for Canadian travellers, delivering iconic Rocky Mountain scenery, outdoor adventure, welcoming locals and a vibrant food-and-drink culture without the crowds or resort pricing. Located just 60 minutes from Denver International Airport, it offers easy access while feeling distinctly local and uncrowded. For travel advisors, Fort Collins is an easy sell with strong value. The destination offers a wide range of hotels, excellent price-to-experience value, and flexible trip lengths ideal for short U.S. getaways or fly-drive itineraries. Supported by Visit Fort Collins with ready-to-use itineraries and local expertise, advisors can confidently deliver authentic, story-rich experiences that feel like insider travel.”
VISIT ESTES PARK: “Just 90 minutes north of Denver International Airport, and as the eastern gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park, Estes Park offers Canadian travel advisors an easy-to-sell destination that combines iconic mountain scenery with effortless logistics. Scenic drives include the world-famous Trail Ridge Road. The Peak-to-Peak Scenic Byway and historic Old Fall River Road also enhance self-drive itineraries, making Estes Park ideal for fly-drive holidays, multigenerational groups, and travellers seeking maximum scenery with minimal effort.”
CANYON SPIRIT: “Canyon Spirit’s rail route, Rockies to the Red Rocks, travels between Denver, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah with overnight stops in Glenwood Springs, Colorado and Moab, Utah. The train crosses the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains, travels alongside the Colorado River, and past towering canyons and stunning red rock formations. Guests who have travelled with Rocky Mountaineer in Western Canada will love their experience on Canyon Spirit as it offers the same exceptional service and hospitality that Rocky Mountaineer is known for, with a Southwestern flair. Our agent portal is a great resource for the travel trade. It’s an online hub for trade partners where they can book online directly with us.”
More information about travel to Colorado can be found at colorado.com.
Lead image caption: Colorado Tourism Office is headed up by director Tim Wolfe (bottom right) and represented in Canada by Sana Keller (behind Tim), Annika Klint (behind Sana) and the Pulse Communications team
