Fremont County Tourism Council

The mission of the Fremont County Tourism Council is to responsibly budget and spend the allocated lodging tax dollars collected in Fremont County to increase visitors to the area and thereby have a positive economic impact to the entire region.

2024 Board Meeting Schedule

May 7th – Agenda PDF
September 3rd – Agenda PDF
October 1st – Agenda PDF
November 5th – Agenda PDF
December 3rd (PDF release next month)

Fremont County Tourism Council Board Members

Adam Arnold, Chair (through 12/31/2025)

Adam, an Indiana native, moved to Colorado in Fall of 2021 from Nashville, TN. He and his wife Kara (an herbalist and native Tennessean) renovated and opened the Little Canyon Inn, a modern roadside motel by the Royal Gorge. They relocated to Colorado to be closer to the mountains and hiking which they love to do as a family.

Adam, Kara and their 4 boys run the motel, cleaning rooms, taking reservations and just hanging out with guests. During the day, Adam works as a small business technology consultant for Keystone Business Solutions specializing in Microsoft network and cloud solutions. Adam’s background as a consultant coupled with his experience starting his own hospitality business is why he chose to serve on the Tourism board. He hopes to bring that experience to increase tourism to the area and spread the word about Fremont County.

(Email Adam)

Beth Katchmar, Treasurer (through 12/31/2024)

Beth Katchmar, along with her husband, Kolby, own and operate Pizza Madness which serves a large number of tourists on a year-round basis in the historic downtown area. She has served on the FCTC board since 2007 as Treasurer, Vice Chair, and board member. Beth is extremely active in community affairs and has also served on the Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance board and the Cañon City Tourism committee. She was a founding member of WKRP (now Royal Gorge RIO) and has volunteered on many committees with many volunteer organizations.

Beth has lived in Fremont County since 2005, and has enjoyed raising her family in a community where they can walk to school, enjoy a close-knit community, and be around other people who enjoy the many recreational opportunities in the area, including hiking, biking, rafting, canoeing, rock climbing and fly fishing. Through her business and community involvement, Beth recognizes that tourism is a vital part of our economy and helps our local businesses to thrive.

(Email Beth)

Joen Elliot, Board (through 12/31/2025)

Joen moved to Florence, Fremont County, Colorado from Denver, CO in 2018.  She has been involved in the community as a member/contributor with Florence Arts Alliance, Elks Club, Board Member of Merchants Association,  Past President of Senior Community Center,  Present President of Florence Chamber of Commerce and Board Member FCTC.   

Joen has a BS from Hiram Scott College.  Her experience includes owner/publisher of Colorado Resale Guide for Northern Front Range,  owner of Bright Idea Flea Market in Nebraska, leadership/management roles in recruitment of IT, Security and Healthcare.

When she moved to Florence, she opened Treasures, a retail store which featured boutique items and antiques.  She loves the uniqueness of Florence and Fremont County and looks forward to all the “good things” in the coming years.   Serving on the FCTC board has given Joen new tools and understanding about marketing and tourism.  

(Email Joen)

Kevin Cundiff Image

Kevin Cundiff, Board (through 12/31/2024)

Owner and operator of A Step Back Inn for the last five years.
With a passion and flair for interior and landscape design, Kevin enjoys travel,
food, and wine.

(Email Kevin)

Dona Basham, Board (through 12/31/2026)

Dona is a Colorado native who grew up in Cañon City. She has spent her professional career within the Royal Gorge Region tourism industry. Most recently, she was the Sales and Marketing Manager at the Royal Gorge Bridge & Park, and prior to that was the Group Sales Manager for the Royal Gorge Route Railroad. During her years in tourism, she served as the President of Tour Colorado, on the Gold Belt Byway board, and participated in several local and state leadership programs.

Dona had taken a tourism hiatus and currently works for the state of Colorado in the Wildland Fire Management Section; however, the tourism itch never left, which explains why she joined the FCTC board. Dona is passionate about the economic impact tourism brings to a community through not only attraction dollars, but through food/beverage, fuel, and local jobs as well. She hopes to elevate that awareness to the local community and help increase tourism to the Royal Gorge Region.

(Email Dona)

Kathy Trogden Photo

Kathy Trogden (through 12/31/2026)

Kathy Trogden is a Colorado native, having been born & raised in Pueblo, Colorado. Kathy moved to Canon City in 1993, where she met and married her husband, Brian, in 1998. Kathy, along with her husband, own and operate Experience Travel Network LLC, which is a full-service travel agency that has been in business since 2008. She stays active in the community by serving on a variety of community Boards and volunteering with several community committees and organizations.

Kathy has her B.S.N. from Creighton University along with her M.N.A. from the University of Phoenix. Kathy is also a CBIC Board Certified Infection Preventionist, and though she is no longer active in the healthcare genre on a daily basis, she does provide consultant services to healthcare organizations throughout the country as the need arises and served a vital role throughout the COVID pandemic for a regional healthcare system in Missouri.

Kathy is excited to serve on the FCTC Board and believes the value that she can bring is her perspective as a travel professional in association with marketing and benchmarking to attract tourists to our Royal Gorge Region.

(Email Kathy)

Kelly Branyik (through 12/31/2026)

Kelly Branyik, a Florence, Colorado native, is a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer who served in China, where her love for service and cultural exchange took root. She founded Little Wave Media, a marketing agency dedicated to empowering small businesses with affordable, innovative strategies designed for
sustainable growth. Kelly is also the creator of the travel blog Travel Branyik, where she shares her global adventures and travel tips. As an author, Kelly has published two books, including It Depends: A Guide to Peace Corps, and she continues to work on new novels.

With a deep commitment to volunteerism, Kelly frequently donates her time and expertise to support local businesses through educational webinars, donated services, and mentorship. Her passion for community, travel, and storytelling has made her a vital contributor to Fremont County’s entrepreneurial spirit, and she is dedicated to making a positive impact in both her hometown and beyond.

(Email Kelly)

Ex-Officio Board Members

Kevin Grantham, Ex-Officio Board Member & Fremont County Commissioner

Kevin Grantham took office as Fremont County Commissioner on January 12, 2021. Kevin grew up in Ordway, Crowley County, in Southeast Colorado. He graduated from Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA with a BA in Religion. Kevin has been appraising real estate here in Fremont County since 1998.

Kevin has been active in the community including volunteering at a local shelter and participating in service oriented organizations such as the Lions Club International, Elks Lodge 610, and Gideons International.

Kevin served on the Cañon City Board of Adjustments from 2005-2007 and as chair in 2007. He was then elected in 2007 to an at-large seat on Cañon City Council.

In 2010 he was elected to his first term as State Senator for District 2 and then re-elected in 2014. During his tenure he served on a variety of committees including Appropriations, Agriculture & Natural Resources, State, Veterans, & Military Affairs, Finance, and the Legislative Council Committee.

From 2012 to 2014 Kevin served as the elected Republican Caucus Whip and in the 2015-16 sessions he served on the Joint Budget Committee and as Chairman of the Appropriations committee. In 2017 and 2018 Kevin served as the President of the Colorado State Senate.

Kevin is married to Caroline and they have two children and five grandchildren. They make their home in Cañon City.

(Email Kevin)

  • Royal Gorge Chamber Alliance – Rich Millard
    (Email Rich)
  • City of Cañon City – Amy Schmissseur
    (Email Amy)
  • Florence Chamber – {Available}
  • City of Florence – Krystal Wood
    (Email Krystal)
  • Fremont Heritage Commission – Jim Nelson
    (Email Jim)
  • Fremont EDC – Rob Brown
    (Email Rob)
  • Fremont County Administration – Charis Hall
    (Email Charis)
  • Downtown Business Alliance – {available}

2023 Ex-Officio Members:

2022 Ex-Officio Members: