Category: News & Notes

Colorado Music Hall of Fame Launches Statewide Strategy to Make Colorado a Premier Music Tourism Destination

DENVER, CO (June 30, 2025) — Colorado Music Hall of Fame (CMHOF), with support from a Tourism Management Grant from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO), is proud to unveil a bold, first-of-its-kind Colorado Music Tourism Strategy—a statewide action plan designed to brand Colorado as a top-tier music destination, foster collaboration across the music and tourism industries, and grow Colorado’s music economy.

Developed over the course of 10 months with facilitation by destination consulting firm Mission2Market, the strategy engaged over 1,300 residents, visitors, and industry professionals, and was shaped by a 60-member task force representing every region of the state.

“Colorado’s music legacy is as vast and diverse as its landscape,” said Karen Radman, Executive Director of Colorado Music Hall of Fame. “This strategy reflects a shared vision for Colorado’s future—one that celebrates our past, supports our music communities today, and positions the state as a must-visit destination for music lovers worldwide. Developing this strategy was truly a collaborative effort, uniting the music and tourism industries across the state.”

Three Strategic Goals Drive the Initiative

  1. Brand Colorado as a Music Destination
    The strategy calls for a new statewide Colorado Music Trail, digital hubs showcasing music venues and experiences, and a unified brand identity to promote Colorado’s vibrant music scene and rich heritage—from Red Rocks to Telluride, from Fort Morgan to Durango.
  1. Foster a Cohesive, Collaborative Music Industry
    By connecting artists, venues, promoters and tourism professionals, the plan seeks to lower barriers for artists through tools like a statewide venue database, multi-city tour coordination and affordability-focused partnerships with local businesses and government.
  2. Champion the Value of Colorado’s Music Economy
    The plan outlines steps to update the state’s economic impact data, advocate for industry-supportive funding and incentives, and equip civic leaders with resources to champion live music as a vital part of Colorado’s culture and economy.

What’s Next

As part of the next phase, The Hall has launched the “Discover: Colorado’s Music Scene” platform on its comprehensive music website at cmhof.org/colorado-music-scene. Visitors can access the full Colorado Music Tourism Strategy along with practical tools and resources designed to support musicians, communities, travelers and industry professionals in building and celebrating Colorado’s dynamic music scene. This page will eventually be home to the Colorado Music Roadmap, connecting fans to iconic venues, historic destinations and music festivals across the state.

All compiled on The Hall’s website, partners such as FoCoMA, Indie Music Alliance, and Chris K’s Colorado Playlist have already stepped up to share tools and databases. The CTO has added a live music link on Colorado.com, while Localify.org will help music fans discover local artists and events across the state.

Colorado Music Hall of Fame now invites partners, civic leaders and music lovers to join in advancing this shared vision.

“This isn’t just a strategy—it’s a movement,” said Radman. “Together, we can ensure Colorado’s music scene remains one of the most vibrant and welcoming in the nation.”

Meet The Colorado Music Industry Alliance 

(Colorado) Colorado produces world-class artists and The Colorado Music Industry Alliance wants to develop a stronger industry here to support them. This burgeoning nonprofit originated as the brainchild of two members of Colorado’s music community: artist manager and consultant Kelsy Lartius Miguel, and hip-hop artist and event producer DNA Picasso.

After years of working in the local music industry, they both recognized that while a vast number of people and organizations were working to boost Colorado’s music scene, they were all approaching their shared goal in different ways. They founded CMIA to connect these micro-communities, including musicians, venues, radio stations, and other music industry professionals, so that we can use our greater collective power to achieve tangible results.

We are hosting our very first music industry mixer on Wednesday, October 9 at Fort Greene, and we encourage any 21+ artists, industry professionals, and curious media personnel to join us from 6 to 9 p.m. for an evening of networking and connection! 

“The reality is that we cannot build and grow a successful, diverse, and equitable music industry here without ensuring that we’re keeping and attracting those who are on the business side of the equation too,” explains co-founder Lartius Miguel. “Artists cannot do it all on their own, and we need more of that industry infrastructure here in order to make real change.” Adds Picasso, “CMIA differentiates itself by focusing on unity and collective action across the entire spectrum of the music industry in Colorado. While other nonprofits may focus on niche areas or specific segments, we aim to bring all stakeholders under one umbrella.” 

Our work is driven by three key values: quality, community, and diversity. Through programming, advocacy work, and accountability, CMIA intends to unite, educate, support, and uplift all facets of Colorado’s music industry.

Our primary objectives are to pool our collective community resources, facilitate partnerships between different industry players, produce and distribute accessible educational content, and advocate for policy changes to ensure that the interests of our community are represented in our government.

“By fostering collaboration rather than competition, CMIA will break down silos within the industry, and provide a platform for cross-sector partnerships that will benefit everyone involved,” Picasso emphasizes. “Additionally, we place a strong emphasis on advocacy and policy work, looking to actively engage with local and state policymakers to push for initiatives that create long-term growth and sustainability for the Colorado music scene as a whole.”

As we launch CMIA over the next few months, our mission is to assess what resources are currently available and make them more accessible, says Lartius Miguel: “Much of this initial phase will be about increasing access and bridging those gaps in our current music industry landscape. Serving as a connector is really going to be the main focus in this first year.” 

The first Colorado Music Industry Alliance music industry mixer will take place on Wednesday, October 9 from 6 to 9 p.m. at Fort Greene Bar (321 East 45th Street, Denver, CO, 80205). This is a 21+ event, but we look forward to hosting all–ages mixers in the future. Please RSVP here if you plan on attending, and feel free to invite any other music industry professionals in your circle. For more information on CMIA’s mission, or if you’d like to get involved, visit our website. For press inquiries or interview requests, please email cleomirza@gmail.com. 

Tickets on sale for Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s Mile High Jazz Oasis Induction Concert & Event featuring the Ken Walker Sextet

Tickets go on sale at 10 am MDT today, Friday, August 30 for Colorado Music Hall of Fame’s Mile High Jazz Oasis induction concert and event scheduled for Tuesday, October 29 at Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom in Denver’s Five Points Historic District.

Celebrating El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, and Ken Walker, the induction ceremony will include short presentations and a jazz concert by the Ken Walker Sextet and special guests.

“It is such an honor to be nominated and to have KUVO nominated for induction into Colorado Music Hall of Fame. Denver’s jazz scene has always been exceptional; this induction class truly reflects our city’s talent, both past and present,” states Carlos Lando, nominee and current host of the Morning Set on KUVO Jazz.

In addition to honoring these jazz greats, the chosen venue, Cervantes Masterpiece Ballroom at 2635 Welton Street in Denver, has its own Mile High jazz roots. It was once the Casino Cabaret, which opened in the Cotton Club days of the 1930s and served as one of main stops on the tours of jazz greats such as Duke Ellington, Count Basie and Benny Goodman—as well as Colorado Music Hall of Famers Charles Burrell and George Morrison, Sr. 

On October 29, General Admission doors will open at 7:15 pm; GA tickets are $40 and offer limited balcony seating and standing room-only.

VIP doors open at 6:00 pm; VIP tickets are $150 and include a pre-party with a buffet dinner sponsored by Pasta Jay’s and cabaret-style seating for the event. Table sponsorships start at $1,000 and include premium, reserved tables and many other perks.

For more information and to purchase tickets: https://cmhof.org/events/jazz-induction-2024.

About the Nominees (photographs available upon request):

El Chapultepec (The Pec) operated as one of Denver’s most well-known jazz and blues club at the corner of 20th and Market Streets for 87 years before it closed permanently in 2020. Jerry Krantz, who started as a bartender at The Pec, inherited it in 1958 from his father-in-law, Tony Romano. Krantz operated the venue with no cover charges so that great music was accessible to everyone. In El Chapultepec’s heyday, the club welcomed legendary musicians of all genres, such as Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, Paul McCartney and Mick Jagger. After Krantz passed away in 2012, his daughters ran The Pec until its closure; they now operate the El Chapultepec Legacy Project to keep quality live music accessible in Denver. The Legacy Project announced a new partnership with Colorado Music Hall of Fame in a June 7 release (attached).

Greg Gisbert is a jazz trumpeter and flugelhornist who moved from Mobile, Alabama, to Denver in 1971. He performed, toured, and recorded in high school with the 1983-84 McDonald’s All-American High School Jazz Band. While attending the Berklee College of Music, he began to record albums; he has three recordings under his own name on Criss Cross Jazz, a Dutch recording company. A highly respected jazz educator, Gisbert has taught all over the United States, including as faculty at University of Northern Colorado, the Colorado Conservatory for Jazz Artists, University of Denver and Julliard School of Music. He is a founding member of and continues to perform with the cooperative band Convergence.

Eric Gunnison is a jazz pianist and composer based in Denver since 1980. He has arranged and recorded piano for many artists and toured internationally, accompanying prominent artists such as Dizzy Gillespie, Nelson Rangell, Roberta Gambarini, Carmen McCrae and the late Ron Miles,  a fellow Colorado Music Hall of Famer. Throughout his distinguished career, he has established himself as one of the mainstays within the Denver jazz scene —as a musician, bandleader, composer and educator.  Since 1991, Gunnison has also been performing with his own quintet, Wake Up Call, and in Greg Gisbert’s Convergence.

Known as “The Oasis in the City,” KUVO Jazz (89.3 FM) was founded in Denver in 1985 as a volunteer-led Hispanic-managed public radio station. With close to 8,000 members and 100,000 listeners today, KUVO also broadcasts in Breckenridge on 89.7 FM and in Vail on 88.5 FM. Carlos Lando, most recognized for his 37 years and counting at KUVO, started out at radio stations over 50 years ago in Puerto Rico and New York. At KUVO, Lando has worked as radio host, program director, general manager and president of the station. He helped establish KUVO as one of the world’s best and most respected jazz stations. Lando recently shifted his role from president/general manager to producing, managing and hosting the morning show at the station.

Ellyn Rucker was a jazz musician and critically-acclaimed vocalist who lived in the Denver area  and passed away in 2022. She started performing full-time in 1979 and released several albums through Capri Records. A well-loved Denver musician, Rucker’s unique voice and keyboard skills led her to tour worldwide, including locations such as Holland, Ireland, Germany and China. In Germany, she even had her own fan club.

Ken Walker is a jazz bassist frequently known as the “first-call” bassist in the Front Range for when performers come to town and need a bassist to accompany them. He played many instruments growing up but started honing his craft during his time at Arkansas Tech. After moving to Denver in 1985, Walker began to perform at El Chapultepec. Since then, he has performed at Telluride Jazz Festival, Jazz Aspen Snowmass and toured around the world. For 28 years now, Walker has taught at University of Denver’s Lamont School of Music. Since 1999, he has performed with his band, The Ken Walker Sextet. 

Net proceeds from the induction event benefit the programs of Colorado Music Hall of Fame, including the newly launched Keep The Beat program (press release attached), providing mini-grants to Colorado musicians and music industry professionals to access free mental health and addiction counseling.

About Colorado Music Hall of Fame (“The Hall”), www.cmhof.org: Founded in 2011, The Hall is a nonprofit with a mission to celebrate, promote and support Colorado’s music community:

  • Celebrating Colorado music by inducting our state’s music heroes (over 50 to date), hosting music events, sharing music history and, coming this year, unveiling new Hall of Fame exhibits at a central location in downtown Denver;
  • Promoting Colorado as a music destination; and
  • Supporting local musicians and industry professionals with financial assistance and resources for mental health and addiction through its Keep The Beat program.

Colorado Music Hall of Famers:

2011: Inaugural Class: John Denver, Red Rocks Amphitheatre

2012: Setting the Stage: Barry Fey, Harry Tuft

2012: Rockin’ the ‘60s: The Astronauts, Flash Cadillac, KIMN Radio, Sugarloaf

2013: Colorado’s Folk Revival: Judy Collins, Chris Daniels, Bob Lind, Serendipity Singers

2014: Country Rock in the Rockies: Firefall, Manassas w/Stephen Stills, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Poco

2016: 20th Century Pioneers: Lannie Garrett, Glenn Miller, Max Morath, Billy Murray, Elizabeth Spencer, Paul Whiteman

2017: Rocky Mountain Way: Caribou Ranch, Dan Fogelberg, Bill Szymczyk, Joe Walsh & Barnstorm

2017: Jazz Masters & Beyond: Philip Bailey, Charles Burrell, Larry Dunn, Bill Frisell, Ron Miles, Dianne Reeves, Andrew Woolfolk

2018: Live & On the Air: John Hickenlooper, KBCO, Chuck Morris

2019: Old Folk, New Folk: Walt Conley, Mother Folkers, Swallow Hill Music, Dick Weissman

2019: Going Back to Colorado: Tommy Bolin, Freddi & Henchi, Wendy Kale, Tony Spicola, Otis Taylor, Zephyr

2021: A Virtual Induction: eTown

2021: The Flatirons Sessions: The Fox Theatre, Hot Rize, Leftover Salmon, String Cheese Incident, Yonder Mountain String Band

2023: Big Head Todd and The Monsters, Hazel Miller, George Morrison, Sr.

2024: Opera in the High Country: Central City Opera, Cynthia Lawrence, Keith Miller, John Moriarty

2024: Mile High Jazz Oasis: El Chapultepec & Jerry Krantz, Greg Gisbert, Eric Gunnison, KUVO & Carlos Lando, Ellyn Rucker, Ken Walker