By Christina Fuoco-Karasinski
Nestled 10 miles from the base of the Rocky Mountains, Longmont has long been considered one of Colorado’s best-kept secrets.
Guests who make the trek to the city 30 miles north of Denver are learning the ropes — thanks to its residents.
Visit Longmont unveiled the Text-a-Local initiative to connect travelers to local business and community leaders to learn about the hottest restaurants, friendliest trails, fun arts and entertainment options, and comfortable accommodations.
“The way people travel has changed drastically since COVID,” says Kimberlee McKee, board chair of Visit Longmont.
“Not only are people more inclined to choose off-the-beaten-path locales, take road trips, and travel closer to home, they also want to create experiences and get a real taste of a new place.”
Funded in part by a Colorado Tourism Office grant, Text-a-Local removes online reviews from the equation. McKee cites a recent survey published by Travel Daily, even though 67% of anxious travelers admit they wouldn’t travel without consulting online reviews, 46% report that they have been let down by misleading feedback left by a stranger.
Here’s how the Text-a-Local program works:
• By texting the word “local” to 303-276-5546, people will be connected to a Longmont local.
• The team of Longmont locals will then proactively respond with insights, recommendations and advice on a variety of questions related to things to do and experience in Longmont.
The Longmont locals taking part include business leaders, long-time residents, creatives, consultants and hotel partners.
“Longmont is the perfect blend of small-town charm and adventure,” McKee says. “We are only minutes from the mountains. We have world-class dining, countless breweries, bike and hiking trails that go on for miles, art galleries and great shopping. Who better to introduce everything our community has to offer than a local? We hope passionate travelers and destination seekers will take part in our Text-a-Local program and see that Colorado’s best-kept secret is just a text away.”
Longmont, Colorado
