Lamar Welcome Center Celebrates 25 Years of Service

A vision in the late 1980’s resulted in the designing of Colorado Welcome Centers that would be placed in Colorado. It was thought best to position the Centers on all borders of Colorado and especially on highway intersections and Interstates.   The Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade designed the plan under the direction of the Governor.   The location for the Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar was chosen and developed in 1991.  There are only nine other Colorado Welcome Centers promoted by the State of Colorado Tourism Board and the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

The train depot which houses the Colorado Welcome Center was built in 1907. This great historical building is still used as a train stop by Amtrak.  Amtrak travelers arriving and departing on the train are greeted with extra hospitality as Amtrak through the years has hired a Care Taker for this depot.  Debbie Moseley is the current Amtrak Care Taker.  The Lamar Train Stop is an exception as some Train Stops do not have a Care Taker or even a bench outside for passengers.  Our working Train Depot is a real asset to our community and to all travelers.  Debbie Moseley is at the station when the train arrives.  She is in direct communication with the Amtrak engineer thus allowing her to know the latest updates on the train’s status and where passengers are to board. The work the Care Taker performs gives the Colorado Welcome Center more of an outreach and makes the center special with its extended mission.  Tickets for riding the train are not available at the depot but are easiest bought through Bettiann’s Travel on Main Street in Lamar.

Lamar Amtrak Depot

Tourism is one of the strongest economic drivers of Colorado, providing a valuable source of revenue and jobs. In 2014, 71.3 million visitors spent $18.6 billion here, an all-time high for the state. Tourism makes it possible for a savings of $ 538.00 per Colorado Household in taxes required.

The Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar sees the largest travel season in the summer months. Last year visitation just for Lamar was 36,685 with the summer months having over 5,000 visitors reach month. Collectively the ten Colorado Welcome Centers saw 1,158,631 travelers in 2015.

In addition to its benefits this industry contributes to America as a whole and does wonders for our economy, our business and our personal lives.  “Think of it this way: if travel were able to run for president in 2016, it’d be the perfect candidate,” said Roger Dow, President and CEO of the U.S. Travel Association.  “It’s a job creator, educator, and it’s pro-family and pro-health.”

There’s no better way to promote international understanding and good will, or to explain freedom and democracy, than through travel and tourism. Promoting Tourism makes it possible for people all over the world to discover America. Foreign visitors may come for an event, a business conference, or just to enjoy our nation’s beauty and its heritage. Whatever they do, and wherever they go, they come to know our values and vision, our system of government, and they can feel the spirit of a good and great country.

The Colorado Welcome Center is open 7 days a week, 8:00am till 6:00om. If you are looking for information on what there is to do in Colorado whether you are local or traveling, the Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar and the site www.Colorado.com are both great places to start.

The Colorado Welcome Center in Lamar, along with the State of Colorado and the City of Lamar, has promoted Tourism for 25 years and has an outstanding legacy of inspiring people to enjoy Colorado.

All are invited to an Open House for the Public on Tuesday June 14, 2016 from 11:00am till 3:00pm at the Colorado Welcome Center to celebrate this Silver Jubilee.