The Gunnison Crested Butte Tourism and Prosperity Partnership, or TAPP, (known as the Gunnison-Crested Butte Tourism Association from 2002-2019) was born in 2002 by popular vote of the people in Gunnison County. The ballot issue created a Local Marketing District for the purpose of marketing the Gunnison Valley. The vote allowed the lodging tax to increase from 1.9% to 4%. The tax applies to rooms and accommodations rented to customers for less than 30-day periods. Since its founding, TAPP has been responsible for marketing the Gunnison Valley as a year-round vacation destination.

The mission of the Tourism and Prosperity Partnership (TAPP) is to leverage Local Marketing District and grant monies to grow overnight visitation revenues. TAPP will also diversify and develop our economy in a sustainable manner through leadership on the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee, support for Western Colorado University and creation of entrepreneurial opportunities (e.g., ICELab). As such, TAPP will grow prosperity and opportunity for Gunnison Valley residents.

TOURISM

The goal of TAPP’s tourism arm is to grow lodging revenues and fill airline seats by running strategically targeted seasonal marketing campaigns.

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AND OUTDOOR RECREATION

TAPP works with the Sustainable Tourism and Outdoor Recreation Committee (STOR) to communicate with land managers and provide educational resources for visitors about the principles of Leave No Trace and sustainable land use. TAPP also provides support to local trails organizations.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

TAPP’s economic development arm recruits export businesses to the valley with a goal of increasing export revenue, creating high-paying jobs, helping existing local businesses and startups, and placing Western students in jobs and internships. The economic development team oversees the ICELab at Western, which is a coworking space and entrepreneurial hub on campus at Western Colorado University. They also run annual incubator and accelerator programs for local small businesses.

WESTERN COLORADO UNIVERSITY

TAPP supports Western Colorado University by facilitating conversations and connections between local businesses and academic programs, and by promoting the university through our marketing channels.

• Bill Ronai, President
• Jennifer Barvitski
• Gary Pierson
• Erica Rasmussen
• Bill MacFarlane
• Chris Miller
• Kendal Rota

• John Norton, Executive Director
• Andrew Sandstrom, Marketing Director
• TJ Taylor, ICELab Director
• Ben Engman, ICELab Program Manager
• Katy Mooney, Marketing Manager
• Jeff Moffett, Air Marketing Consultant
• Danica Bona, Social Media Content Coordinator
• Rachel Gearhart, Administrative Assistant and Content Coordinator

All local businesses and event organizers have the opportunity to be featured in our business partners directory and on our events calendar.

To set up or edit your partner listing, please fill out this form. 

To have your event featured on our events calendar, please submit your event to the Gunnison Valley Events Calendar. 

Meetings are open to the public. They begin at 7:30 A.M and are held at the ICELab at 540 Escalante Drive, Gunnison. Use this link to attend via Zoom. 

• Feb. 22 – Agenda
• May 16 – Agenda
• Aug. 15 – Agenda
• Nov. 7 – Agenda

• Click here to view the TAPP bylaws. The bylaws were last updated at the TAPP Board of Directors meeting on Oct. 21, 2020.

• Click here to view TAPP’s 2022 audited financial statement.

• Meeting minutes are posted below after they are approved. The 2015 and 2016 meeting minutes have been archived, but are available upon request. For a digital copy, email TAPP marketing director Andrew Sandstrom.