LAS VEGAS (BRAIN) — Gov. Hickenlooper is not the only elected official from Colorado who was at Interbike on Wednesday. Lori Buck, the mayor of Fruita, Colorado, was also here, promoting her city as a location for bike media events, R&D testing, and even corporate relocation.
Fruita is a town of 13,000 residents in Western Colorado, just west of Grand Junction on I-70. It has miles of mountain bike trails spread out over several trail systems, each offering a distinct character and riding conditions. A nearby ski area, Powderhorn, will open lift service mountain biking next year.
Buck said Fruita doesn't have deep pockets to offer incentives for companies looking to hold events or relocate, but it makes up for it with a welcoming and cooperative community.
"We are looking to transition out of the oil and gas economy, which has always been up and down," Buck said. "Tourism has always been steady and we are looking to expand it. The community is very committed to working together to help companies organize events."
Besides the variety of trails and its small-town atmosphere, Fruita's other asset is Paul Aieta, a bike industry veteran who works for the local Cobb Marketing & Communications firm hired by the Fruita Tourism organization. Aieta, formerly with MRP and DT Swiss USA, is an avid rider who can help firms find the right trail for testing or photo shoots.
As for Hickenlooper's keynote speech at Interbike Wednesday, Buck joked that she was mad that he didn't mention Fruita, but said "he's right on" with his promise to make Colorado the most bike-friendly state.
"He was talking about some real money that we are going to be looking to tap into," she said.
More information: GoFruita.com
