Estes Park loses bid for ski project funding

Estes Park’s $50-million ski hill project won’t receive funding this year from the state of Colorado, the state Economic Development Commission decided Friday.

The commission instead chose Aurora’s Gaylord Project to receive $81.4 million in the next three decades under the Regional Tourism Act. Commissioners also selected Pueblo’s Riverwalk Entertainment District to receive $14.8 million during the next 30 years.

Under the act, local governments can apply for state sales-tax breaks for projects that generate out-of-state tourism. The commission can select two projects annually that will lead to economic development and attract a substantial number of out-of-state visitors.

Estes Park’s…