Craig Daily Press

The history of Northwest Colorado isn't some intangible story.

It can be seen and touched. It's something that residents recreate every single day.

It's exactly what cultural heritage tourists are looking for, and a group of Northwest Colorado residents wants to give it to them.

Members of the Craig branch of the Northwest Colorado Cultural Tourism project met Wednesday to determine what attributes would draw cultural tourists to Craig.

Group members said the most appealing thing about Craig is that its "real West" history is still alive.

"You know you're in the Real West when you've got cattle in the middle of town," Moffat County Tourism Association Director Steve Miller said. Miller agreed to be the chairman of the local committee.

"You know you're in the Real West if your dog's in the back of your truck," he said.

Craig's story, the group agreed, should be based on the town's continuity -- its ability to hold onto the past while progressing into the future.

"Tied to the past -- moving toward the future," is the theme the group will base its presentation on. Representatives from 10 communities in three counties will meet in Craig on March 11 to tell their "stories" and see whether there is a common theme that would pull tourists from town to town.

Craig's story will include three prongs that have a demonstrable transition from past to present: mining, agriculture and ecotourism.

"You can see how the community grew and changed," committee member Bernie Rose said.

For example, the Museum of Northwest Colorado has an extensive exhibit on the Wallahans -- noted as the first people to photograph animals in the wild, which they did in Moffat County.

That transitions to present wildlife photography and watchable wildlife opportunities.

"It's up to us as individuals to capture these stories," said Jan Gerber.

With Craig agricultural draw, the committee included open spaces, present-day cowboys and the potential for a "dude-ranch" type of experience.

"The ingredients are there; it's just finding the people to do it," Craig Chamber of Commerce Director Cathy Vanatta said.

Christina M. Currie can be reached at 824-7031 or by e-mail at ccurrie@craigdailypress.com.