~ by Rick Langenberg ~
The city of Cripple Creek has wagered big bets on limited stakes gaming, 24/7 gambling action and new games, common Consumption/entertainment zones and more lodging amenities
Now, the city may throw some mighty wagers in becoming the adventure and recreation king of the region. Plus, the town may try to draw bigger crowds through doing smaller events throughout the year. And yes, don’t choke when you read this, the town may even strive to do the impossible: gain a strong sense of community buy-in and acceptance in the town’s marketing direction by local groups and volunteers.
These are some of the goals of the city’s new interim marketing and special events director, Jeff Mosher, who sports many years of experience in doing sports-related events in the Pikes Peak region, such as coordinating the Pikes Peak Marathon, the Rocky Mountain Sports Games, Olympic competitions and more. He also worked as a special projects manager with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp.
Mosher, who has also applied for the full-time, permanent position, sees much potential in the area.
“Recreation and adventure is the direction the city needs to look towards,” said Mosher. More specifically, he sees the district as a great bonanza for running races, cycling competitions, ATV outings, scavenger hunts, historic celebrations and interactive museum promotions.
“I try to put on parties,” quipped Mosher “If it was up to me, we would have an event almost every weekend.”
Mosher recently took over the marketing reins of the city, following a shakeup that resulted in the termination of their previous director Steve Kitzman, for nearly five years. The Interim marketing chief did assist Kitzman with a number of projects in the past.
Mosher also is quite familiar with the Cripple Creek/Victor district. “I always had a passion for this area,” said the interim marketing director. In fact, he notes that an excursion to Telluride in the mid 1990s, which ended in Cripple Creek and Victor, cemented his love for the area.
He cites the region’s historic attributes, combined with the entertainment draw, as unparalleled and what really separates the Creek from their rivals, north of Denver. “One advantage we have is we maintain the historic integrity of Cripple Creek,” said the marketing director.
Mosher has cited a desire to do a lot more smaller events, with the help of outside groups and volunteers.
But unlike his predecessors, Mosher believes the role of his office is to “sell our community.” Besides organizing quality events, he says that means letting the public know of what is available in Cripple Creek for recreation and outright adventure jaunts. That was one point stressed in a recent housing needs study.
For example, Mosher cites the Skagway Reservoir near Victor as a prime example. He believes this recreation mecca is a great undiscovered gem. And the ability of outdoor buffs to explore city streets, via all-terrain vehicles with virtually no restrictions, is a big selling point, notes Mosher.
No big political obstacles
Mosher says he is not deterred from the region’s bizarre sample of local politics that largely led to the exit of nearly 15 marketing directors and head promotional personnel since the beginning of gaming. “Because it is a small town, these things get a little more attention than they should,” said the marketing director.
More specifically, he refers to these as personality conflicts and relation-related problems.
As the new marketing director, Mosher has inherited the development of a city marketing committee with representatives from all local nonprofits. Like the sentiments echoed by City Administrator Mark Campbell, “community buy-in” is a prime goal of this effort.
The city hopes to do smaller events and engage a slew of outside groups and local organizations.
The city plans to showcase their signature events, such as Ice Fest and Donkey Derby Days, but it also wants to involve more activity from volunteers and outside groups.
By mid-November, Mosher will learn if he is selected as the town’s full-time marketing chief. For more information about marketing and special events action in Cripple Creek, call 719-689-3461.
