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Chaffee County hires DestinationIQ as destination development director
Summary
The Chaffee County Board of Commissioners voted to contract with DestinationIQ to serve as the county's Destination Development Director beginning Jan. 1, 2026, after a review panel selected the firm from 12 responses and four finalists.
Chaffee County commissioners voted to engage DestinationIQ as the county's Destination Development Director, a contracted role that expands the county's prior marketing director duties to emphasize destination management and economic development integration. Staff told the board the solicitation drew 12 proposals, four finalists were interviewed by a multi-jurisdictional review panel, and the panel made a unanimous recommendation for DestinationIQ.
The county said the contract will prioritize destination stewardship, performance metrics and closer coordination with municipal economic-development partners. Staff noted Scott Peterson, the long-time marketing contractor of 11 years, confirmed he would not apply but offered transition support.
Commissioner 3 moved to accept the panel's recommendation and direct staff to finalize an agreement that would allow services to begin 01/01/2026; the motion was seconded and approved by voice vote. Commissioners who spoke said they expected the firm to deliver measurable returns on lodging-tax investments while balancing stewardship of Chaffee County's natural resources.
The contract replaces a historic one-to-three-year contractor model and is intended to better align marketing with the county's economic and municipal corridors. Staff said the RFQ focused only on the development-director scope; additional services can be added over time under the contract. The county packet shows the panel included county staff, municipal managers and tourism and sustainability professionals.
Next steps: staff will return with a final contract for signature and begin transition planning so DestinationIQ can commence work at the start of 2026.
