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 FoCoMAIndie 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.”

CP S19 EP25 2025 + Lake City review

North Clear Creek Falls, Colorado. Courtesy Clear Vistas Photography

This past week, Claire (Clear Vistas Photography) and I went to Lake City for dark skies and fly fishing. We’ll be sharing some of the stunning landscape and dark sky / Milky Way pics as Claire gets them done. This week’s featured photo is from North Clear Creek Falls, between Lake City and Creede.

And, of course, we took in some live music.

The Mary Stigall Theater is the centerpiece of Lake City Arts, “…celebrating community through year-round arts, culture, and education.” I’ve hosted and appeared at HUNDREDS of open mics. Rarely have I found one where a small community theater is filled with musicians of all ages and skill levels .. AND attendees there to take in the love of performing music.

Friday night, we went to hear some local solo artists at the popular Chillin Inc. Owner/operator Jeff Heaton is in the Colorado Country Music Hall of Fame for the years he’s spent performing at Chillin’. Jeff loves his classic folk and country and he even included a touching rendition of Puff the Magic Dragon in the closing set.

Dining in Lake City is another story, entirely. Be prepared for lots of fried food and BBQ, and one Mexican restaurant. The exceptions are Breakfast Hangout & Euphoria, where you can find red snapper, along with duck, on their dinner menu …and the EXQUISITE Climb Elevated Eatery!

The room atmosphere, top flight service and dishes like Taste of the Rockies (elk tenderloin with Colorado lambchops the night we were there), or their signature BLT at lunch, makes Climb essential “fine dining” in this fairly remote Colorado mountain town.

WTG Lake City – we’ll be back.
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The Colorado Playlist is the only show showcasing Colorado music statewide. Your support is essential to keeping it on the air. Please make donations via venmo at chrisk-2 or use the form below. Thank you, sincerely – chrisk

To learn about getting your business heard across thirty FM frequencies and on the Colorado Playlist other assets, please email chriskmusic@gmail.com
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The MONDAY MORNING MUSIC MEETING happens courtesy of Starr’s Guitars in Cedaredge, serving the western slope music community for 25 years.

Every year I debut approximately two hundred new current-year songs. Every week I have to make decisions about what to keep to play again and what to archive.

Let me know what you think of the debuts (D) and new songs (N) I shared in the show this week.

Results enter into determining which cuts stay in the library and which cuts might eventually make it to the annual Colorado Playlist Fan & Listener Poll and the “some of the best of the year” show.

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CP S19 EP25 2025 on Mixcloud .. where you can also find the previous four episodes.

Rick RobertsSail Away – Windmills (1972)
(N) Mollie O’Brien & Rich MooreAngel Eyes – Lost In The Crowd (2025)
Kiltro All The Time in the World – Underbelly (2023)
Andy Frasco & The U.N. – Try Not to Die (2025)
Lionel Young BandDrivin’ Wheel – On Our Way to Memphis (2012)
Leftover Salmon Show Me Something Higher – Something Higher (2018)
Heavy Diamond Ring Don’t Go It Alone (2025)
(N) Justin Lansing Marilyn Monroe – Rocky Mountain Time (2025)
Wellington BullingsBecause I Want To (2020)
Julian Fulco PerronAbout Love (2023)
Peter Sommer Looks Like This – Tremolo Canteen (2010)

Deuce MobMy ’64 – Going Solo (1996)
(N) A.J. FullertonPassing Time – Magnetic Light (2025)
Kick and the HugContagious (2024)
Johnny & The MongrelsLouisiana Girl – Creole Skies (2020)
Hunter James & the Titanic Weekend Holds (2025)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Josephina – Black Beehive (2014)
Tennis Needle and a Knife – Ritual in Repeat (2014)
Yonder Mountain String Band Here I Go – Nowhere Next (2024)
(D) The Cody SistersNot My Thoughts – All the Quiet People (2025)
Sour Magic Means to an End – Forbidden Fruit (2023)
The Crooked Rugs Chasin’ the Wind – Hear & Now (2024)
Steve Denny TrioGramophology – Life in New York (2020)

THIS WEEK ON YOUTUBE (not all titles available)

ALL STATIONS including the Colorado Playlist – 81 titles tracked
(D) 1. A.J. FULLERTON – Magnetic Light LP Feb-25
(2) 2. BLANKSLATE – Lookout Mountain Charley LP Jun-25
(1) 3. THE LUMINEERS – Automatic LP Jan-25
(D) 4. ANDY FRASCO & THE U.N. – Growing Pains LP Feb-25
(3) 4. MAE HUNNIFORD – Yesterday SP Nov-24

STATIONS TRACKED: KAFM Community Radio (Grand Junction), KBUT Community Radio (Crested Butte), KDNK Carbondale Community Access Radio (Carbondale), KDUR Community Radio (Durango), KFFR 88.3 FM (Winter Park), KOTO Community Radio Telluride (Telluride), KRFC 88.9 FM (Fort Collins), KRZA Community Radio (Alamosa), KSJD Radio (Cortez), KSUT (Ignacio), KVNF Mountain Grown Public Radio (Paonia), 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Indie1023 (Denver) …

Spins tracked on Spinitron (except 102.3 and 105.5), designed to benefit community and college radio, and offering search functions to track airplay on over 300 stations around the country.

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CP S19 EP24 2025

Crazy lightning over Mesa Verde courtesy of Clear Vistas Photography

The Colorado Playlist is the only show representing and promoting Colorado music statewide. Your support is essential to keeping it on the air. Please make donations via venmo at chrisk-2 or use the form below. Thank you, sincerely – chrisk

To learn about getting your business heard across thirty FM frequencies and on the Colorado Playlist other assets, please email chriskmusic@gmail.com

We live in a state in love with the music that comes from here. Thanks for being a part of it!
____________________

The MONDAY MORNING MUSIC MEETING happens courtesy of Starr’s Guitars in Cedaredge, serving the western slope music community for 25 years.

Every year I debut approximately two hundred new current-year songs. Every week I have to make decisions about what to keep to play again and what to archive.

Let me know what you think of the debuts (D) and new songs (N) I shared in the show this week.

Results enter into determining which cuts stay in the library and which cuts might eventually make it to the annual Colorado Playlist Fan & Listener Poll and the “some of the best of the year” show.

_____________________

It’s not unusual for me to air songs before they become available to the general public on your favorite streaming site. Ragged Union‘s new album is due out July 1. Bevin Luna sent in a new single, release date June 27. I premiered them both this week on the show and you can listen below.

Conjunto Colores El Centro – Lo Mejor Del Conjunto Colores (2002)
(P) Ragged UnionThis Old Cowboy – Pyramid Stairs (2025)
A.J. FullertonSorry You’re Blue – Closer (2024)
Heavy Diamond RingAlready Gone – The Brightest Light EP (2021)
The GalentinesRear View Mirror – 1140 (2025)
OneRepublic Counting Stars – Native (2013)
Jeff FinlinWhat’s The Big Idea – Ballad Of A Plain Man (2008)
Grant Sabin Work – Work (2024)
(D) Sour Magic Silver Sands (2025)
Tennis High Road – Young & Old (2012)
Big Head Todd and the Monsters Her Way Out – Her Way Out (2024)
Andrew VogtBrickpoint – Optimistic Infinity House (2024)

Bob Lind Colorado Line – Since There Were Circles (1971)
Harry Tuft You Gonna Quit Me – Across the Blue Mountains (1976)
(D) Ben GarciaSweet & True (2025)
Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats Heartless – South of Here (2024)
The Still Tide Give Me Time – Run Out (2017)
The LumineersYou’re All I Got – Automatic (2025)
Megan Burtt – Ain’t Seen Nothing Yet – The Bargain (2015)
Psychodelic Zombiez The Doctor – Things That Are Brown (2015)
Lolita & DMD TheProducerMy Head (2025)
(P) Bevin LunaShimmer (2025)
Euforquestra Show Me The Way – While We Still Got Time (2022)
Jack HadleyThe Blues Made Me Strong Again – the St. Louis Sessions Volume II (2024)
Gabriel Mervine When It’s Sleepytime Down South – Say Somethin’ (2021)

THIS WEEK ON YOUTUBE (not all titles available)

ALL STATIONS STATWIDE – including spins on the Colorado Playlist – 64 titles tracked
(1) 1. THE LUMINEERS – Automatic LP Jan-25
(D) 2. BEVIN LUNA – Shimmer SP Jun-25
(2) 2. BLANKSLATE – Lookout Mountain Charley LP Jun-25
(3) 3. MAE HUNNIFORD – Yesterday SP Nov-24
(R) 4. GRANT SABIN – Work LP Aug-24
(D) 4. IZZY VELOSO – Dramamine SP Feb-25
(3) 4. JUDAH NOBLE – Blue Hour LP May-25

STATIONS TRACKED: KAFM Community Radio (Grand Junction), KBUT Community Radio (Crested Butte), KDNK Carbondale Community Access Radio (Carbondale), KDUR Community Radio (Durango), KFFR 88.3 FM (Winter Park), KOTO Community Radio Telluride (Telluride), KRFC 88.9 FM (Fort Collins), KRZA Community Radio (Alamosa), KSJD Radio (Cortez), KSUT (Ignacio), KVNF Mountain Grown Public Radio (Paonia), 105.5 The Colorado Sound and Indie1023 (Denver) …

Spins tracked on Spinitron (except 102.3 and 105.5), designed to benefit community and college radio, and offering search functions to track airplay on over 300 stations around the country.

One-Time
Monthly
Yearly

Make a one-time donation

Make a monthly donation

Make a yearly donation

Choose an amount

$10.00
$15.00
$20.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00
$5.00
$15.00
$100.00

Or enter a custom amount

$

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

Your contribution is appreciated.

DonateDonate monthlyDonate yearly