A Taos Destination Stewardship Pilot Initiative
Building Tourism Innovation in Taos County
Photo from Heritage Inspirations Experience : Glamping at Chaco Canyon - Cacao Ceremony
Programming powered by UNM Taos HIVE, the SBDC and Taos County Economic Development
Announcing Inaugural Taos SEED Participants
The Taos Destination Stewardship Network is proud to announce the inaugural cohort of the pilot Taos SEED Program. Congratulations to the individuals, businesses, and collaborations nominated for Taos SEED, a Taos Destination Stewardship Network pilot initiative. These nominations recognize bold, place-based ideas that are reshaping how tourism works in Taos, centering community benefit, cultural integrity, environmental care, and meaningful visitor experiences.
Turning place-based ideas into community-serving tourism experiences.
Where strong ideas become sustainable, revenue-generating projects rooted in culture, community, and land stewardship.
CONGRATS!
Taos SEED is a pilot program, an intentional first step in trying something new. Designed with the collective insight of cross-sector partners from business, government, culture, education, and community organizations, SEED is testing new ways to support local tourism innovators while learning what it takes to build a more equitable, community-centered tourism economy in Taos County.
PROGRAM GOALS
The pilot SEED program was designed by a cross sector action team to:
Fuel inclusive, place-based economic growth
Support innovators serving both locals and visitors
Increase the visibility of community-driven tourism products
Pilot a new model of business support in Taos County
Grow awareness of the Taos Destination Stewardship Network efforts
Learn what is needed to scale future entrepreneur-support programs in the Enchanted Circle
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Nominees will be invited to apply to receive the following benefits to support their innovative ideas.
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Tiered micro-grants aligned with project maturity (emerging, growing, collaborative).
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Business Plan support & Gap Analysis Development with the SBDC
One-on-one needs navigation and tactical support with UNM TAOS HIVE
10 hours of paid specialist support
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Monthly dinner gatherings in unique locations around Taos
Guided conversations and shared learning with local innovators
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Media features through Taos MainStreet & Benthouse Creative
Storytelling and promotion support
Target Tiers
Tier 1
Emerging & Concept Stage Ideas
For early-stage ideas and pre-revenue projects.
Awards: Up to $5,000
Tier 2
Growing & Established Projects
For operating projects, expanding offerings, improving sustainability, or strengthening cultural/authentic experiences.
Awards: Up to $10,000
Tier 3
Collaborative/Multi-Partner Projects
For operating projects, expanding offerings, improving sustainability, or strengthening cultural/authentic experiences.
Awards: Up to $10,000
EVALUATION PROCESS
A separate evaluation committee will review nominations and long-form applications. This committee will include representatives from across Taos County with diversity in Geography, Sector, Cultural background, Lived experience.
Applications will be evaluated based on:
• Community relevance and benefit
• Alignment with Destination Stewardship values & goals
• Potential to attract respectful visitor engagement
• Project readiness and feasibility
• Financial sustainability potential
• Accessibility and clarity of responses
2026 TIMELINE
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• Program announced: Mid-December 2025
• Nominations open: NOW
• Nominations close: January 21, 2026 -
• Evaluation committee reviews nominations: January 12th-January 20th
• Long-form applications sent to top nominees: January 22, 2026
• Long-form applications due: February 5, 2026
• Awards announced the February, 18th -
• Kickoff dinner + orientation: Week of February 25, 2026
• Monthly dinners and support sessions: March, April, May 2026
• Specialist meetings and business-plan development: March–May 2026 -
• Innovators share outcomes with the community: June 2026
The Taos Destination Stewardship Plan highlights the community’s desire to amplify reciprocal connections between visitors and locals that have positive benefits on our economic, environmental and social landscape.
The Taos Destination Stewardship effort calls for tourism that:
Supports inclusive economic development
Strengthens cultural integrity in tourism products
Protects land, water, and natural resources
Improves the lives of local people
This cohort prioritizes innovators whose projects generate sustainable revenue, integrate stewardship values, and expand opportunities for groups historically excluded from the tourism economy — including Hispanic, Latino, and Indigenous communities.
