Durango, CO (Thursday, July 11, 2002) - Colorado Ski Country USA (CSCUSA) board member, Bob Kunkel of Durango Mountain Resort, has been appointed by Governor Owens to represent the Colorado ski industry on the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) Board. The CTO Board determines how the state’s $5.6 million tourism budget will be best used to promote the industry in the state.

Kunkel is a 25-year veteran of the Colorado ski industry. He spent 12 years as Vice-President of Marketing at Winter Park Resort, directing all operations within the Marketing Division. He spent four years at Vail, again as marketing Vice-President and Company Officer. In 2000, Kunkel came to Durango Mountain Resort, taking the Senior Vice-President's position. Kunkel has helped with initiated resort renovation and development, as well as forming the local Destination Durango, which serves to guarantee air service in and out of Durango-La Plata County Airport.

Kunkel will serve on the board for four years, during which the board will meet monthly. The CTO Board is made up of 12 other members representing various industries throughout the state.

“I am honored to be Governor Owens appointee to represent the ski industry on the Colorado Tourism Board. It’s very exciting to represent the world's gold bar standard for skiing and snowboarding,” said Kunkel. “I look forward to the opportunity to contribute to an already successful and comprehensive tourism program that promotes Colorado to markets locally, domestically and internationally. Marketing Colorado starts with the product, and Colorado has the best overall tourism product in the world.”