Colorado Proud's Choose Colorado Tour Stops in Vail

TODAY, Aug 15

Today, agricultural experts and members of Colorado Proud will be at Safeway in West Vail for the Choose Colorado Tour.  The Choose Colorado Tour is a 27 day, statewide road trip to celebrate local farmers and growers, while educating consumers along the journey about the importance of buying local.  Vail is one of 11 stops on the Choose Colorado Tour.  Specialty crops, including fruits, vegetables, and greenhouse and nursery products, contribute nearly $670 million to Colorado’s economy.

The Colorado Proud team will be collecting local ingredients from each of their stops along the tour for recipes to be enjoyed at the Colorado Proud Commemorative Lunch, held on the tour’s final day at the History Colorado Center in Denver.  The lunch, for media and government officials, will be a delicious way to “taste” the positive impact of local buying on he economy, environment, healthy lifestyle and Colorado’s Western heritage.

“Agriculture is a vital part of Colorado’s future - providing more than 172,000 jobs and contributing more than $41 billion to the state’s economy annually, while also feeding the world with more than $2 billion in exported products,” said Ron Carleton, Colorado Deputy Commissioner of Agriculture.  “The Choose Colorado Tour is an interactive expedition to connect our agricultural regions and salute the growers, farmers and businesses that significantly help our state thrive.  The Vail community plays an important role in this success.”

Colorado’s agricultural industry consistently earns its ranking as one of the state’s top industries, advancing the state’s economy and preserving the environment.  In fact, more than 36,000 farms encompassing 31 million acres, agriculture is a vital part of Colorado - providing more than 172,000 jobs; contributing more than $40 billion to the state’s economy annually; and feeding the world with more than $2 billion in exported products.  Buying local has proved its positive impact on the economy, environment, healthy lifestyle and Colorado’s western heritage.

Consumers can follow the Tour through pictures, stories, profiles an experiences shared on the Colorado Proud Facebook page.