IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event
APRIL 6-9, 2027 | LONGMONT
Registration and sponsorship opportunities are available now! Get IN THE GAME early for great Early Bird discounts!
IN THE GAME is Downtown Colorado, Inc.’s signature interactive event. Designed to get participants out of their seats and into the host community, the experience connects attendees directly with the people, places, and projects shaping vibrant downtowns.
The event brings together leaders from across Colorado who are advancing economic and community development in their communities. Through a mix of sessions, tours, and peer exchange, participants gain practical tools, fresh perspectives, and inspiration to move their work forward.
Highlights included DCI’s signature Dine-Around Sessions, immersive tours and workshops, the Small Developer Workshop with Jim Heid, and Challenge Workshops that create space for real-time problem solving and idea sharing. IN THE GAME continues to spotlight emerging trends and innovative approaches that are shaping the future of downtowns.
Stay tuned to DCI’s website and newsletters for updates on IN THE GAME 2027 in Longmont, including speakers, tours, and program details.
BECOME A SPONSOR
ITG MEMBER DISCOUNTS
Become a DCI Member Today!
EARLY-BIRD MEMBER PRICING
May 1 - Dec 15, 2026
Full Conference: $395
First Half (Tues 4/6 - Wed 4/7): $200
Second Half (Thurs 4/8 - Fri 4/9): $200
GROUP PRICING
VIP MEMBERS
VIP members receive 1 complimentary registration AND
Full Conference: Buy 3 @ $495, get 1 free
(Early-bird pricing does not apply.)
QUASI-GOV MEMBERS (URAs, BIDs, DDAs)
Full Conference: Buy 3 @ $495, get 1 free, total $1,485
(Early-bird pricing does not apply.)
ITG NON-MEMBER PRICING
Early Bird Pricing May 1 to Dec 15, 2026
Full Conference: $595
First Half (Tues 4/6 - Wed 4/7): $325
Second Half (Thurs 4/8 - Fri 4/9): $325
Join Today!
Thank you to our 2026 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Sponsors!
SCHOLARSHIPS
DCI Sponsors often help fund Sponsorships for members in need. Please fill out our application form if you would like to volunteer at the event or are a DCI member AND:
- Student with proof of enrollment.
- Community scholarships may be available for small, rural communities under 5,000 population or experiencing significant financial challenges.
IN THE GAME SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
IN THE GAME will be an experience like no other! We will have a uniquely choreographed series of interactions to establish a dialogue, network, and solution-oriented approach to challenges and action. IN THE GAME platform keeps our guests talking and learning together! We have various opportunities for sponsors to shine through dine-around lunches, tours, plenary speakers, and receptions to show off solutions + share great ideas. We also will host a Community Challenge Workshop to focus on projects that communities want to move forward by turning challenges into opportunities.
If you'd like to partner with us and help make IN THE GAME the most amazing, vibrant downtown event, check out the 2026 IN THE GAME Sponsorship Opportunities. Call us today to discuss which level is right for you!
EXPLORE PAST IN THE GAME CONFERENCES!
2026 IN THE GAME Brings Vibrant Downtown Energy to Grand Junction!
HIGHLIGHTS | IN THE GAME 2026 featured an intense 3 days of non-stop food, art, tours, and conversations about the topics top of mind for communities throughout Colorado. Grand Junction provided an immaculate setting for discussing the role of agriculture and food in our local downtown economies, touring community arts and programs decades in the making, and projects both old and new that are making Downtown Grand Junction a destination for tourists and residents alike.
To learn more about the content covered at IN THE GAME, check out our 2026 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE.
COLORADO DOWNTOWN EXCELLENCE AWARDS | For 20+ years, the Downtown Excellence awards have highlighted the people, partnerships, plans, places, pop-ups, and projects making a difference in Colorado communities. This year's finalists span the entire state, 22 projects totaling more than $300 million in investment in Colorado communities.
Colorado Public Radio did a live recording of the conversation between Colorado Matters' Ryan Warner and a panel of downtown experts. Check out the Colorado Matters episode and read more about the Downtown Excellence awards here:
DCI’s highly successful Challenge Studio Workshops were the centerpiece of the 2026 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event. The Studios identified a challenge that each community is facing and were designed to transform a community’s difficult roadblocks into promising opportunities.
2026 Small Developers Workshop:
- A workshop for entrepreneurs and investors who envision themselves as small developers hosted by Jim Heid of CraftDNA.
2026 Colorado Challenge Workshop
- Estes Park | Taking the Next Step with a Downtown Plan
- Leadville | Planning and Coordinating a Community Center
- Walsenburg | Downtown Reactivation and Building Improvements
2026 IN THE GAME | Keynote Speakers
Downtown Colorado, Inc. (DCI) was honored to showcase a series of dynamic and though provoking leaders bringing energy, ideas, and creativity to build stronger community.
Sacred Places, Shared Futures | Richard Reinhard
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Rick Reinhard is principal of Niagara Consulting Group, focusing on house-of-worship reuse and redevelopment and broader economic-development initiatives. For more than three decades, Rick led business improvement districts and economic- development agencies in five US and UK cities and served as chief of staff to the mayor of Buffalo. A decade ago, Rick joined United Methodist Church leadership as Chief Administrative Officer of its social-justice agency on Capitol Hill, then headed A Future With Hope, working on church real-estate initiatives. Rick has a degree in biology from the College of William and Mary and a Master of Business and Public Management from Rice University and was a Loeb Fellow at the Harvard University Graduate School of Design. He lives in the Washington DC area.
Cultivating Prosperity, Not Just Building Projects | Kevin Shepherd
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Kevin is a licensed engineer with over 30 years of experience in civil engineering, planning, site development and municipal finance. He spent 17 years at global A/E firm HDR as a leader of the Dallas office's municipal services program and later as National Director of the Community Planning + Urban Design market sector. In 2011, he founded Verdunity to focus on helping communities quantify, communicate, and close their resource gaps and get back on the path to lasting, inclusive prosperity.
So Goes Agriculture, So Goes Main Street | Janie VanWinkle
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 1
Exploring the relationship between agriculture, rural economies, and downtown vitality, Janie VanWinkle is the contact for the Agri-Tech Seminar Series and a, potentially affiliated, co-owner of VanWinkle Ranch. She is associated with the Grand Junction Business Incubator Center (gjincubator.org), coordinating agricultural innovation and tech workshops, including topics like drone technology in agriculture.
Plug + Play Retail | Molly Alexander
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
With over 30 years of experience building communities, and creating vibrant downtowns, Molly is your expert-at-hand for turning around struggling retail districts. In 2022, Molly created Imagine the Possibilities (ITP) Consulting working with clients and communities to stimulate economic development, retail revitalization and placemaking. In addition to her consulting firm, she owns and operates two award-winning retail establishments in downtown Elgin, TX – The Owl Wine Bar & Home Goods Store and Elgin Dry Goods. In 2023, Molly was recognized by the American Institute of Architects, Austin Chapter and the Austin Foundation of Architecture with the Alan Taniguchi Award for Public Architecture.
Engaging Youth in Leadership | Edgar "EQ" Quiroz
THURSDAY, APRIL 2
Edgar Quiroz is the Founder and Executive Director of LFMG Music Academy and CEO of La Familia Music Group. A community builder and creative entrepreneur based in Montrose, Colorado, Edgar is passionate about using music and mentorship to develop young leaders and strengthen rural economies.
Through youth programs, live events, and downtown activations, he has helped create pathways for young people to step into leadership while driving cultural vibrancy and economic growth across Western Colorado. Edgar's work centers on the belief that creative spaces don't just change lives — they help shape the future of our communities.
2026 IN THE GAME | Dine-Around Sessions
Showcase solutions based on projects and services to help Downtowners get things done. Highlight exciting restaurant and project concepts and include informal discussion. IN THE GAME Dine Around Lunches open to all registrants will be on Wednesday, April 1st + Thursday, April 2nd and include the following topics:
From Blight to Bright | Kansas State University Technical Assistance to Brownfields (KSU TAB)
Framework to Encourage Local Development | Bohannan Huston Inc.
Building Partnerships that Unlock Complex Sites | Ayres Associates
The Capital Cocktail | Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA)
Powering Local Spending - Exploring Community Rewards | Open Rewards
Data to Deal | Economic and Planning Systems (EPS)
Turning Temporary into Transformational | MIG, Inc.
Dynamic Ownership Models for Building Community Wealth | Center for Community Wealth Building
From Master Plan to Funding: Securing Grants and Donor Support for Community Projects | DHM Design
Downtown, Let's Make it Official: Structuring Success with BIDs, DDAs, + Smart Planning | Progressive Urban Management Associates (PUMA)
Lighten Up! Letting Retail Breathe to Promote Downtown Vibrancy | Grounded Collaborative
Main Character Energy: Story Living + Story Telling Through Film in Colorado's Downtowns | Farm to Spaceship
Capital that Circulates: Revolving Loan Funds for Local Business | Colorado Enterprise Fund
Gettin' TIFfy Wit It. | Pioneer Development Company
On the Route: Connecting Downtowns + Colorado Byways | Colorado Scenic + Historic Byways
Reusing Buildings for the Creative Economy | Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment Brownfields Program (CDPHE)
2026 IN THE GAME | Tours
IN THE GAME is all about getting out into the community and touring the spaces, places, and projects that really make a community unique. In Grand Junction, we had the privilege of touring several incredible projects and seeing all the art and culture the west slope has to offer. Thank you to all of our tour sponsors, partners, and community members who helped make these sessions happen!
Don't Shush Us! Mesa County Libraries Does Things Differently in Serving the Community
Museum of the West: History + How it Happens
Built to Belong: Creating a Creative District Through Collective Art
Saving the Station: Restoring Grand Junction's Union Station
Lights, Curtain, Action! Asteria Theater at CMU
From Soil to Sip: A Century of Stewardship at Talbott Farms
Creative by Design: Public Art, Events + Grand Junction's Cultural Commitment
From Grain to Glass: Inside Ramblebine Brewing
Downtown Cocktail-Making Class
Main Street as a City Park: Designing Experience
Turning Toward the River: Grand Junction's Riverfront Story
Vines, Views, + Vitality: The Palisade Development Tour
Main Street Remix: Innovation, Ideas + Iconic GJ Stories
Sweet Streets: Chocolate, Craft + Colorado Flavor
Retail Roots + Rising Stars: A Grand Junction Downtown Tour
2025 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event Was a Game-Changer in Greeley!
Downtown Colorado, Inc.’s 2025 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event brought more than 300 downtown leaders to Greeley for three days of learning, connection, and inspiration focused on turning community challenges into opportunity. From hands-on workshops like the Colorado Challenge Accelerator and data-driven storytelling sessions to immersive tours, rapid-fire How-To Talks, and conversations on inclusive downtowns, capital access, and experience-based economies, participants explored practical tools they could take home and use right away. The event also showcased Greeley’s downtown journey through walking and mobile tours, arts and culture experiences, and shared meals that sparked meaningful peer exchange. A highlight of the week was the Colorado Downtown Excellence Awards, honoring 12 communities and two individuals whose creativity, leadership, and partnerships are strengthening downtowns across the state—proving that impactful innovation happens in communities of every size.
To learn more about the content covered at IN THE GAME, check out our 2025 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE.
2024 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event was Dynamite in Durango!
Here are a few highlights:
- 300+ registered attendees
- 18 Community and Downtowner of the Year and Downtown Excellence Award Winners
- 80 Different Speakers and Facilitators
- 57 Sponsors and Community Partners
- 20 Dine-Around Lunch Sessions
- 12 Community Tours
- 7 Colorado Challenge Program communities
To learn more about the content covered at IN THE GAME, check out our 2024 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE.
2023 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event was LOVEly in Loveland
IN THE GAME 2023’s structure was uniquely choreographed to establish a dialogue, network, and solution-oriented approach to challenges and action. IN THE GAME platforms kept our guests talking and learning together! We had a variety of dine-around lunches, tours, plenary speakers, and receptions to show off our community and share great ideas. We also held Community Challenge Studios to workshop plans for communities looking to turn challenges into opportunities.
Here are a few highlights:
- 300+ registered attendees
- 18 Community and Downtowner of the Year Governor’s Award Winners
- 80 Different Speakers and Facilitators
- 57 Sponsors and Community Partners
- 20 Dine-Around Lunch Sessions
- 12 Community Tours highlighting Colorado Springs, CO
- 3 Colorado Challenge Program communities
To learn more about the content covered at IN THE GAME, check out our 2023 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE.
2022 IN THE GAME Vibrant Downtown Event was super FUN!
HIGHLIGHTS | IN THE GAME 2022’S structure was uniquely choreographed to establish a dialogue, network, and solution-oriented approach to challenges and action. IN THE GAME platforms kept our guests talking and learning together! We had a variety of dine around lunches, tours, plenary speakers, and receptions to show off our the community + share great ideas. We also held Community Challenge Studios to workshop plans for communities looking to turn challenges into opportunities.
To learn more about the content covered at IN THE GAME, check out our 2022 SCHEDULE AT A GLANCE.