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Steamboat Springs — The Colorado Community Revitalization Association starts its annual conference today in Steamboat Springs.

Speakers at the three-day meeting will address growth, zoning, transportation, parking and other issues. Everyone is welcome, Executive Director Katherine Correll said.

Participants typically include city planners, local government officials, nonprofit groups and representatives of quasi-governmental agencies such as urban renewal authorities, she said.

"The general benefit I would say is it's an excellent forum for networking and talking to other professionals who are facing similar issues that you are," Correll said. "I think that : working on challenges together has been one of the most valuable parts."

About 100 people from across the state have registered for the revitalization group's meeting, she said. The number is average, she said, adding that turnout is solid given that the conference is out of the way for Front Range residents.

Of course, people don't mind coming to Steamboat this time of year, Correll said. But that's not the entire reason the Colorado Community Revitalization Association chose the spot.

"I think a major reason that we decided to come to Steamboat is that it's a Colorado Mainstreet Program community, and that shows the city's focus on downtown and downtown revitalization, which is the mission of our organization," she said.

Mainstreet Steamboat Springs Manager Tracy Barnett said representatives of several groups that are important to Steamboat would attend. Those include grant sources such as the Department of Local Affairs and the State Historical Fund, she said.

The conference also will bring business to Steamboat, Barnett said.

"The hotels are full, the downtown host hotels, which will be a nice little boost," she said.

Anyone interested in coming can register at the conference, Correll said. The full conference costs $300 to $375. A governor's award ceremony is scheduled for Thursday evening, and tickets for that event are $60.

Correll said she was concerned because the conference venue changes each day. It is at Olympian Hall at Howelsen Hill today, Centennial Hall on 10th Street on Thursday and the Steamboat Springs Community Center west of downtown Friday.

"Logistically, it's a little difficult, but I'm glad we got to highlight the different venues you have in Steamboat," Correll said. "The city's been very generous in letting us use those venues."