HB 21-1263: Colorado Meeting and Events Incentive Program

• Creates the Colorado Meeting and Events Incentive Program to provide rebates and direct support to eligible events in Colorado to recover from COVID-19 pandemic impacts on the tourism and travel industries.

• Eligible events must take place between July 1, 2021 and December 31, 2022, generate at least 25 paid overnight stays at lodging establishments, and demonstrate significant economic benefit to host communities.

• Program provides rebates of up to 10 percent of hard costs and up to 25 percent of COVID-19-related costs for eligible events, with direct support limited to 5 percent of total appropriation.

• Establishes $10 million in initial funding transferred from the General Fund to the Colorado Meeting and Events Incentive Program Fund, with unused funds returned to the General Fund on June 30, 2023.

• Program automatically repeals on January 1, 2024; requires progress reports to the Governor and relevant legislative committees on or before July 1, 2022 and July 1, 2023.