Attracting tourists to Colorado.

Colorado legislators hope to offset a major promotional loss with a new tourism industry authority--the first of its kind in the nation.

The state lost its tourism office in a minor tax rebellion last November when voters repealed a 0.2 percent tax that raised about $12 million for the Colorado Tourism Board. In response, lawmakers set up a system where tourist-dependent businesses can assess fees on themselves to fund the board.

Tourism is the Centennial State's second largest industry, generating $6.4 billion in 1993. Since the board's promotional activities helped draw visitors (and their money) to the state, some people believe tourism revenue could decrease substantially since the office closed its doors in June for lack of money.

The board used revenue from the tax on rental cars, hotel rooms, ski lift tickets and other travel-related businesses for five visitor welcome centers, a national advertising campaign, free state maps for tourists, a full-color vacation guide and a nationwide 800 telephone information number.

This session, the Colorado General Assembly approved a bill that allows formation of a state tourism service...