Coloradans love the arts. Our state ranks above the national average in creating art, attending live performances, and overall arts participation, making Colorado one of the most artistically active in the nation.
The economic power of arts and culture is also evident, generating $19.7 billion in economic impact, or 3.7% of Colorado’s economy, and over 121,000 jobs. What’s more, that impact is growing, with employment in the arts and culture industry increasing 3.6% in Colorado since 2022, compared to a 0.3% increase nationwide.
OEDIT’s Colorado Creative Industries (CCI) division supports this incredible growth by strengthening visual, performing, and literary arts through resources and funding opportunities. Let’s explore the impact of CCI programs across the state and how they support the continued advancement of Colorado’s economy and creative sector.
30 Creative Districts Boost Local Economies
CCI’s Colorado Creative Districts program provides certification to creative communities contributing to our state’s economy. Since the program’s start in 2012, 30 Colorado communities are certified, increasing jobs and tourism, and creative arts in these districts.
CREATE Trinidad, a Colorado Creative District, is just one example of how creative districts have the power to transform regions. Creative jobs in Trinidad have grown nearly 10% after the district’s certification in 2013 and Trinidad’s Main Street experienced a resurgence, creating a hub for the community’s unique culture and art organizations.
10 Mixed-Use Spaces to Create 185 Housing Units
The Community Revitalization Tax Credit (CRTC) program supports the creation of studio, performance, and arts education spaces that incorporate features like attainable housing, childcare centers or retail stores.
In its first year, CRTC helped fund 10 projects across the state, which will support 185 housing units for the creative community. CRTC builds on the success of the Community Revitalization Grant (CRG) program, which previously funded 59 projects, supporting an estimated 544 housing units across Colorado. Of these projects, approximately 58% are located in rural communities.
Six Live-Work Projects for Artists in the State
The Space to Create program is the first state-led initiative to advance affordable live-work and commercial spaces for artists and creative industry workers. Working with community partners, this program assists rural communities with the development. Each space is designed by the local community to meet local needs and goals. Projects in Trinidad created 41 housing units and 20,000 spare feet of community space and in Ridgway, the Space to Create project created 30 units with 2,000 square feet of community space. The next Space to Create project in Grand Lake broke ground in September 2025, which will create nine housing units for community members.
70 Folk Arts Projects Preserve and Celebrate Heritage of Colorado
The Folk and Traditional Arts Project was created to celebrate, document, and preserve Colorado’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. Since the program’s beginnings in 2024, the program has supported over 70 projects. This year, the Folk and Traditional Arts Project supported 25 arts organizations across 13 counties to enhance community well-being, cultural identity, and economic vitality throughout their communities. Projects, which include dance, mural creation, textile weaving, will be archived in the State Archives and made accessible to the public through History Colorado, increasing the access to Colorado’s art.
Operational Support for Arts Organizations in Colorado’s Eight Regions
As CCI’s largest program, the Colorado Creates Grant supports arts-focused nonprofit organizations in all corners of the state. Funds support arts programs, services, and activities so all Coloradans can enjoy our thriving arts scene. In the last three years, the program has awarded grants to 365 different organizations in 40 counties, representing all eight regions of the state.
3,200 Students Experience the Power of Poetry
In partnership with Empowered Consulting, CCI manages Colorado’s Poetry Out Loud program, which engages high school students in the art of poetry, memorization, and performance. Research shows participants are 1.7 times more likely to have four-year college or graduate school aspirations than nonparticipants. In this year’s 20th Annual competition, 3,200 students participated, highlighting our youth’s engaged interest in the arts.
To explore all CCI programs supporting artists in the state, visit CCI’s page.