Re. “Tourism director fights for money” by Lauren Glendenning, SDN, March 6

The article in Monday's paper conveyed an impression that I did not intend to impart, and hope to correct. In Edwards on Saturday I spoke about the benefits of tourism, and my efforts to promote the industry, and to secure funding. I did not intend to sound as if I am somehow in competition with the administration. Gov. Hickenlooper is the most tourism-centric governor in the history of our state. With a background in restaurants, the governor very well understands that tourism is a significant economic engine for our state, and he wants to do everything he can to support the Colorado Tourism Office.

The 2011-'12 budget is $1.1 billion in deficit, and recognizing that all areas of the budget need to share the pain next year, the governor proposed reducing the CTO budget by $2 million. I understand and support this reduction in light of the state's very difficult fiscal situation.

I am deeply honored that Gov. Hickenlooper has chosen me to be the director of the Tourism Office, and the last thing I want to do is to imply that I am not fully supportive of him, his administrations, or his vision for the future of Colorado.