Al White speaks at networking meeting

RANGELY I The weather was bad and some may have expected a low turnout for the monthly Rangely Networking meeting held Tuesday, Feb. 27 at CNCC. Russell George, CNCC president, thanked everyone for attending and introduced his guest.
“This is a larger than normal crowd, thank you all for coming. The mystery is it’s a politician who’s drawing the crowd, how can that be?” George asked.
“The mystery can be easily solved because it is our friend Al White. He is no stranger to anybody in this room. He’s the consummate public servant on behalf of all of us through his elected career and what more important role could he serve for us in Northwest Colorado than the step he’s taken now. He’s been out there fighting for tourism for Colorado, first as a business person who’s livelihood depended on it, then all of his years on the state house and senate making sure all the legislative structure was right to nurture and support tourism.”
The former Colorado state senator was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper to direct the Colorado Office of Tourism. White’s wife, Jean, now holds his senate seat. He thanked George for the introduction and his help when he was “an aspiring legislator” and George was “Mr. Speaker of the House.”
“You are very lucky to have Russ here, I know you are all aware of that,” White said before sharing the history behind his new office and what they do.
“Some call me the Reverend Al White because I go around the state and deliver the gospel of tourism and convert the doubters, say hallelujah,” White said with enthusiasm. “Tourism has been my passion since coming to the legislature and the governor recognized my passion and appointed me as director a year ago last January and I have been after it ever since.”
White spoke of the different programs of his office, saying the heritage and cultural program is gaining in popularity and said when people stop at Colorado Welcome Centers, they stay in the state an additional 2.4 days.
White also mentioned agritourism and that the Capitol Christmas tree will be coming from the White River National Forest near Meeker. His office will spend an additional $100,000 promoting the tree and the state around the country and spoke of advertising “our product line” nationally and internationally.
“Our job is to get them into the state, it’s your job to get them into your stores,” White said.
Commissioner Bolton spoke of the OHV trails being developed on the eastern end of the county and White said his office could help market them.