Career Opportunities
Grand County Colorado Tourism Board
REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL
Public Relations, September 2025
GCCTB Mission Statement
We inspire a sustainable, year-round tourism economy in Grand County with an emphasis on strengthening the vitality of our communities, celebrating our local culture and traditions, and respecting our environment and resources.
INTRODUCTION:
The Grand County Colorado Tourism Board (GCCTB) is a non-profit organization with 12 volunteer Board representatives appointed by the Grand County Board of Commissioners.
The Board is funded by 50% of a 2% lodging tax collected from overnight visitors in Grand County—excluding those staying in the Town of Winter Park.
OBJECTIVE:
The general scope of services to be obtained as a result of this RFP includes professional public relations with the primary purpose of promoting Grand County Colorado by working with area tourism partners, Chambers of Commerce, lodging properties, tour operators, Colorado Tourism Office, etc. Applicants selected to submit proposals must submit a plan that will include the integration of public relations with marketing, destination stewardship, research and promotions.
BUDGET:
Submittals shall be based on an approximate yearly budget of $80,000 plus expenses not to exceed $30,000. Amounts incurred or expended by the contractor in excess of that sum will be deemed outside of the contract and the GCCTB shall have no liability for the expenditures.
SCOPE OF SERVICES. The scope of the work and amount may vary based on the yearly budget and the annual review.
CONTRACT PERIOD:
The initial contract will be from January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2028.
PUBLIC RELATIONS RESPONSIBILITIES:
Services that shall be required under the specific direction of the GCCTB include, but are not limited to the following:
- Familiarity with the Grand County tourism industry, including marketing, public relations, research, and resources.
- Perform the work described below for a sum plus reimbursement for expenses, an amount to be reviewed annually.
- Expand and maximize opportunities through collaborative relationships with Grand Lake, Granby, Winter Park, Kremmling, and Hot Sulphur Springs Chambers of Commerce; Scenic Byways promotional group, and Grand County Economic Development.
- Plan and host press trips in coordination with the vendor’s contacts, the CTO, and other deemed partners.
- Strategic Communications Planning: Develop a comprehensive public relations strategy aligned with our organization’s goals and objectives. This should include identifying target audiences, key messages, and appropriate communication channels.
- Media Relations: Establish and maintain relationships with relevant media outlets, journalists, and influencers. Proactively pitch story ideas, press releases, and media advisories to generate positive media coverage. Manage media inquiries and coordinate interviews and media appearances.
- Content Creation: Create compelling and engaging content for various platforms, including press releases, social media posts, newsletters, and website content. Ensure consistent messaging and branding across all communication materials.
- Crisis Management: Develop a crisis communication plan and provide guidance and support in managing potential crises or reputation issues. Develop key messages, prepare spokespeople, and handle media inquiries with the executive director during crisis situations.
- Stakeholder Engagement: Develop strategies to effectively engage with our stakeholders, including community members, clients, partners, and employees. Organize events, and other initiatives to foster positive relationships and promote our organizations mission.
- Measurement and Reporting: Provide monthly reports on the effectiveness of public relations efforts, including media coverage, and key performance indicators. Identify areas for improvement and make recommendations for optimizing communications strategies.
- Make recommendations for budget savings where appropriate. Support all policies of the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board. Maintain a high level of confidentiality as it relates to the Grand County Colorado Tourism Board.
REQUIRED INFORMATION AND SUBMITTALS:
- Agency Profile: Provide an overview of your agency, including years of experience, areas of expertise, and a list of clients in the relevant industry.
- Team Composition: Describe the key team members who will be involved in the project, including their qualifications and relevant experience.
- Case Studies: Share examples of successful public relations campaigns or projects that demonstrate your agency’s capabilities and results.
- Approach and Methodology: Outline your proposed approach to addressing our organization’s public relations needs. Include details on how you would develop and execute a comprehensive public relations strategy.
- Budget and Timeline: Provide a detailed breakdown of your proposed budget, including fees, expenses, and any additional costs. Include an estimated timeline for executing the project.
- Short-listed finalists shall be required to provide proof of insurance $1.2 million liability coverage.
- Only applicants who demonstrate the required qualifications and experience
for this contract will be considered for an interview.
CRITERIA:
Evaluation of responses to the RFP portion of this solicitation will be done in accordance with the criteria defined below:
- Qualifications of respondents.
- Experience working with advisory committees, government boards, etc.
- Knowledge of Colorado tourism destination marketing.
- References in area of expertise.
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
Submittals are due no later than 5:00 pm MST, October 15, 2025.
Grand County Colorado Tourism Board
P.O. Box 131 Granby, CO 80446
EVALUATION CRITERIA:
All applicants will be evaluated by the GCCTB. Submittal evaluations will be done in accordance with the criteria and procedure defined below. The candidate selected to proceed to the contract stage will be chosen based on their ability to meet the overall expectations of the organization. These guidelines will be used to evaluate submittals.
- Demonstration in the proposal of the candidates understanding of the scope of work.
- Knowledge and understanding of Grand County.
- Experience in the tourism industry.
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and adapt to a changing environment.
- Ability to perform the work within a fixed time schedule, within a set budget, and the appropriateness of fee structure.
- Ability to stay up to date with the evolving assets and challenges of Grand County as well as the competitive landscape in the State of Colorado.
INTERVIEWS:
The top three candidates that best meet the proposal qualifications as deemed by the selection committee will be interviewed by the GCCTB To be announced at a location in Grand County.
SELECTION PROCESS:
GCCTB intends to engage the most suitable candidate for this contract.
TIMELINE:
RFP question deadline October 1, 2025
Submittal deadline for proposals October 15, 2025
Notification of interview November 1, 2025
Interview of top 3 candidates To be Announced
Final selection End of November
Contract commences January 1, 2026
Contact: info@visitgrandcounty.com
SOME COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND RESPONSES
• Does the practitioner or agency need to be located in Grand County?
It is preferred but not required. Familiarity with the region is a benefit, but we welcome qualified agencies from outside the county.
• Who will be the primary internal contact for the selected agency?
The Executive Director will serve as the main point of contact.
• How many stakeholder events have been hosted in the past? Do you feel that these were effective? What other stakeholder initiatives have been executed in the past?
Please see the previous response regarding stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Who would be responsible for partner communications regarding media/influencer opportunities?
This is managed by the GCCTB Social Media Contractor.
• How frequently is website content updated?
Our website is updated weekly, if not daily, to ensure fresh and accurate information.
• How often is the newsletter distributed? Do you have an existing platform and database for this?
The newsletter is distributed monthly. We maintain both the platform and subscriber database in-house.
• What is the current cadence of social media posting? Are you happy with this frequency?
Posting frequency is managed by our Social Media Contractor, who provides strategy and execution.
• Which social media platforms are the primary focus and do you wish to see this change?
Our primary platforms are Facebook and Instagram. The Social Media Contractor advises the board on potential expansion to other platforms as needed.
• Is the agency or practitioner responsible for capturing images/videos for social media use, or is this outsourced? How often are content visits conducted?
This is not part of PR responsibilities. Influencer visits, content capture, and asset management are overseen by our Social Media Contractor in collaboration with our Marketing Agency.
• Does social media content creation include Meta ad support? What is the current budget dedicated to social media ads?
Meta ad strategy and budget are managed jointly by the Marketing Agency and Social Media Contractor.
• Do you have an existing library of content to pull from for content creation?
Yes. We maintain an asset library; however, for press releases, we are particularly interested in new, creative story angles and fresh content.
• What elements of Grand County’s identity would you like to see featured more in national media coverage? What aspects are underrepresented or misunderstood?
Grand County is often seen narrowly as a gateway to Rocky Mountain National Park or a ski destination. What is underrepresented is the county’s diverse and year-round outdoor recreation opportunities—from world-class fishing, hiking, and mountain biking to authentic Western heritage, arts, and culture. We would like national media to capture this breadth of experiences and the authentic, welcoming character of our communities, which set Grand County apart from more commercialized Colorado destinations.
-Submission Delivery
We understand the RFP notes delivery to a P.O. Box. While we will ensure proper mailing procedures, may we also confirm acceptance of a digital version sent to the listed contact?
Response: Yes. Please send responses to 69 E. Garnet Avenue, Granby, CO 80446. We also ask that 10 printed copies be made available.
-Stakeholder Engagement Strategies
What current strategies have been utilized to engage with stakeholders throughout public relations?
Response: Historically, we have implemented multiple touchpoints to connect with stakeholders and community partners, including:
Hosting 2–3 stakeholder-focused events per year, such as:
Community update sessions presenting tourism results and strategic priorities.
Partner mixers and open houses for local businesses and chambers of commerce.
Co-hosted sessions with regional and state tourism partners.
Maintaining a monthly e-newsletter distributed to our opt-in subscriber base, providing tourism updates, news, and opportunities.
These efforts are designed to be small to mid-scale (50–150 attendees) with an emphasis on relationship-building, transparency, and collaboration—rather than broad public events or festivals.
-Press Trip Approach
Some clients prefer agencies to host press trips in-market, while others only coordinate itineraries without attending. What is your preferred approach?
Response: We prefer an in-market hosting approach—welcoming press directly, developing itineraries, and overseeing the trip experience on the ground.
-Earned Media Metrics
Which earned media measurement metrics matter most to your team? Would you prefer we align with those, or are you open to recommendations?
Response: We are open to the agency’s recommendations for tracking. Our interest lies in measuring both quality and quantity of coverage in ways that best demonstrate impact and ROI.
-Crisis Communications
From a crisis communications perspective, what perception or issue poses the most significant challenge to address?
Response: The most pressing challenges include natural disasters—particularly wildfires—and the resulting decline in visitation. Both carry significant reputational and economic impacts that require proactive communication strategies.
-Target Publications & Outlets
Are there specific publications or outlets on your “wish list” for future coverage?
Response: No specific outlets are required.