Christo, Over The River, Colorado, Art project, Supporters

OTR Supporters

Many organizations and individuals have already endorsed Over The River, and listed below are some of our supporters. Click on any individual or group below to see what they have to say about the project. You can also click here to view testimonies from Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s previously completed works of art.

Action 22

The Action 22 Board of Directors voted to formally endorse Over The River. Action 22 is the largest regional advocacy organization for southern Colorado and represents 22 counties. The current chair of the board is Mike Bandera, Vice President and General Manager of the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, who has also expressed his support of Over The River individually.

Arkansas River Outfitters Association

“The potential benefit to this region of Colorado . . . cannot be overstated. . . We look forward to being part of this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
Arkansas River Outfitters Association
Click here to read the full letter

Art Works For the Heart of the Rockies

“(Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s) innovate art brings people from all over the world and all walks of life together, evokes much discussion and debate and carries an enormous public responsibility. They and their committed team of professionals demonstrate exacting standards, unsurpassed technical engineering and detailed management in the planning, installation and removal of their projects.”
Art Works for the Heart of the Rockies
Click here to read the full letter

Mike Bandera, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park

“Royal Gorge Bridge & Park strongly supports Over The River and believes it will have significant benefits to the State of Colorado. This temporary work of art has the potential to positively affect every sector of our economy and regions, including economic development, culture, and more importantly the state’s industry of tourism and recreation.”
Mike Bandera, Vice President and General Manager, Royal Gorge Bridge and Park
Click here to read the full letter

Jim Bensberg, Former El Paso County Commissioner

“Over The River will be a project that my community, Coloradans, and people around the world will treasure for years to come. … I am convinced that Christo will address every reasonable concern while making certain that the construction, viewing and removal processes are as safe and organized as possible.”
Jim Bensberg, Former El Paso County Commissioner, District 5
Click here to read the full letter

Cañon City Chamber of Commerce

“I would like to again establish our commitment for the Project and our enthusiasm for the tourism opportunities that this Project will bring . . . The impact as far as recognition for Cañon City, Fremont County, and the Royal Gorge area would be of a value that could never be equaled in a financial ‘return on investment.’”
Doug Shane, Executive Director, Cañon City Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read the full letter

Cañon City Council

“The notoriety and free positive publicity that Over the River will bring to our area could not be purchased by even the most ambitious advertising budgets of all regional tourism industry concerns combined. … In short, it is difficult to imagine a project that could be more advantageous to our community.”
Cañon City Council
Click here to read the full letter

Richard F. Celeste, President of Colorado College

“I most look forward to the way in which this project could enhance our state’s growing cultural prominence and change how people view southern Colorado. Hosting a work of this magnitude will help draw attention to other features that make our community such a wonderful place…”
Richard Celeste, President, Colorado College
Click here to read the full letter

Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation

“Tourism is a major driver of our regional economy and it is reported Over The River will bring approximately 400,000 visitors to the area. It is predicted the rafting industry will see an increase of more than $3.4 million in revenue as a result of the project. In total, the economic output generated by Over The River is estimated to exceed $121 million and create over 620 jobs, many of which will be given to local residents. … The economic value and impact to the State and Region is significant and must be recognized.”
Chaffee County Economic Development Corporation
Click here to read the full letter

Chaffee County Visitor’s Bureau

“We believe that the many benefits of this project will help to support the goals of our organization. … It will have a tremendous positive impact on our community, and we are enthusiastic about the economic opportunities it will create. Over The River is expected to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors, giving a significant boost to the local economies and businesses that our organization serves.”
Chaffee County Visitors Bureau
Click here to read the full letter

Colorado Congressional Delegation

“We believe that Over The River has the potential to be of great benefit to the state of Colorado, both culturally and economically. … Over The River will leave Colorado with a lasting artistic legacy and will help enhance our state’s growing reputation as a place of cultural excellence. … Even more impressive is the fact that Colorado will reap these benefits without public subsidy or taxpayer support, as the estimated $50 million cost of Over The River will be entirely funded by the artists.”
Colorado Congressional Delegation
Click here to read the full letter

Colorado Council on the Arts

“The Colorado Council on the Arts believes that Over The River has the potential to enhance Colorado’s growing prominence in the art world and that there is an opportunity to realize substantial economic benefits for the state and for local communities. . . The Council also understands that the artists have a commitment to producing awe-inspiring art that leaves no permanent sign of its existence, and that they will undertake every effort to avoid or mitigate adverse impacts on the local communities.”
Colorado Council on the Arts
Click here to read the full letter

Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau

“Our support is based not only on the significant economic boost that this project will provide to our region, but also on the outstanding reputation of the artists. … I have listened to (Christo) share his vision for the project and am convinced that he and Jeanne-Claude will create a work of art that will be beautiful and compelling not only to our visitors but to our local residents as well. I am confident that the artists and their expert team are reviewing and accommodating every reasonable environmental and economic concern.”
Colorado Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau
Click here to read the full letter

Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center

“Although the physical impact of the Over the River project on the landscape will be quite temporary, this will become a work that will positively resonate in the state’s culture, history, and identity forever. … This work will be a powerful celebration of the American landscape, the artists’ creative process, and most certainly the human capacity to successfully collaborate in order to accomplish beauty – Over the River will surely elevate us in every way.”
Blake Milteer, Curator, Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center
Click here to read the full letter

The Colorado Springs Gazette

“Gifts don’t get much better than Over the River, a $50 million exhibit proposed by a world-renowned artist. … Christo will use $50 million of his own cash, which he generates by selling artwork that improves lives, to construct Over the River. The $50 million will go into the pockets of people who live and work in Colorado and will circulate throughout our economy. The government estimates the exhibit will bring $121 million in economic activity to the region and create hundreds of jobs.”
The Colorado Springs Gazette
Click here to read the full editorial

Colorado State University Art Museum Board

“In light of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s history of artistic excellence in public art … the Board of the University Art Museum at Colorado State endorses and supports Over The River and urges the Bureau of Land Management to approve Over The River Alternative 1a as outlined in the Environmental Impact Statement.”
Colorado State University Art Museum Board
Click here to read the full editorial

Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR)

“(Over The River) will provide myriad potential benefits to our area, as well as for the entire state of Colorado. … With the attention that would arrive with Over The River, Colorado would earn its rightful position as one of the greatest arts destinations in the United States.”
Bettina Swigger, Executive Director, Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region (COPPeR)
Click here to read the full letter

U.S. Representative Diana DeGette

“I believe the project (Over The River) will benefit Colorado culturally and economically. … I am pleased that the Final EIS contains more than 100 mitigation measures to address community issues and concerns, and identifies no significant impacts to any terrestrial, avian or aquatic wildlife as a result of Over The River when the identified mitigation measures are implemented. … I hope that the final record of decision for Over The River reflects the wide-spread support to host this project and the positive impact this revolutionalry work of art promises.”
Congresswoman Diana DeGette, U.S. Representative from Colorado’s 1st District
Click here to read the full letter

Pueblo Chieftain Editorial by Maggie Divelbiss, Doug Shane and Bill Dvorak

“(Over The River) has the potential to positively affect every sector of our region – from economic development and tourism to recreation and culture. … Over The River likely is to be one of the most amazing experiences of our lifetime, and our region stands to reap significant benefits as a result of hosting this artwork.”
Maggie Divelbliss, Bill Dvorak and Doug Shane, Editorial in the Pueblo Chieftain
Click here to read the full letter

Dvorak Expeditions

“I have become convinced that the benefits far outweigh any downsides that may occur. This project will create a legacy for the Arkansas Valley that will last for generations.”
Bill Dvorak, President, Dvorak Expeditions
Click here to read the full letter

Loie Fecteau, Executive Director, New Mexico Arts Commission

“The transformative power of the arts will be exemplified by Over The River. All of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s works have the unique ability to temporarily shift the way we perceive the world around us. … While art lovers around the world will be inspired by Over The River, we in northern New Mexico are uniquely positioned to showcase our already culturally and artistically rich region.”
Loie Fecteau, Executive Director, New Mexico Arts Commission
Click here to read the full letter

Fremont Center for the Arts

“The project promises to bring attention from around the world to the Fremont County area, and will provide an enormous positive cultural and economic impact to the area and to the entire region.”
Fremont Center for the Arts
Click here to read the full letter

Fremont Community Foundation

“We are standing at the brink of an incredible opportunity to showcase the abundance of opportunity in Southern Colorado… Christo and Jeanne-Claude searched around the world for the best river setting to display their visionary project. They selected this stretch of the Arkansas River… And a global cultural spotlight will begin shining on Fremont County.”
Fremont Community Foundation
Click here to read the full letter

Fremont County Tourism Council

“(Over The River) will not only bring ‘stimulation to our economy’ but will also create ‘top of mind awareness’ for years to come, not only regionally but nationally as well as internationally.”
Fremont County Tourism Council
Click here to read the full letter

Dr. Robin Gooldy, Superintendent of Cañon City Schools

“(Over The River) has been a wonderful addition to what we offer our students. The artists have made their time and talents available to some of our schools. … Seeing the finished project on display to the world will be a great day for all of us, and something for our part of the world to be proud of.”
Robin Gooldy, Superintendent, Canon City Schools
Click here to read the full letter

Kevin Grantham, Colorado State Senator, District Two

“I am enthusiastically in favor of Over The River, as I think it will bring significant economic benefit to the entire region. As a former Cañon City Councilman, I have also been impressed with the artists’ willingness to work with our community to resolve issues and concerns. At the end of the day, I think it’s going to be a very positive project for not only the Arkansas River region but for all of Colorado.”
Kevin Grantham, Colorado State Senator, District Two
Click here to read Senator Grantham’s op-ed in the Denver Post

John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado

“We applaud Christo for his vision, and for his willingness to persevere for the many years it will take to bring this wonderful work of art to the Arkansas River Valley. We are excited about the economic and cultural value that this project will bring to Colorado, and hope it becomes a reality.”
John W. Hickenlooper, Governor of Colorado
Click here to read the full letter

U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn

“Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s world famous art has the potential to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors to southern Colorado and enhance our state’s growing cultural prominence. This project will draw attention to the natural beauty of the Arkansas River and its surrounding communities. … I look forward to being of assistance in this project and consider it a privilege to have the chance to host Christo and Jeanne-Claude in my District.”
Congressman Doug Lamborn, U.S. Representative from Colorado’s 5th District
Click here to read the full letter

The Longmont Times-Call

“In 2013, a long stretch of the Arkansas River was transformed by a stunning work of art. … The project is now remembered as one of the cultural highlights of Colorado history. … When considering matters of public interest, it’s helpful to imagine what future generations might think. Fifty years from now, assessment of the artwork proposed by Christo, if his plans are approved, will sound like the above passage.”
Longmont Times-Call
Click here to read the full editorial

Don Marostica, Former Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade

“That there is controversy over Christo’s Over The River is a puzzle. That Christo and his late wife chose this beautiful section of the Arkansas River in Colorado is really more a cause for celebration than concern. … Christo and his collaborators will obtain every permit and work through every detail with sensitivity to the environment.”
Don Marostica, Former Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade
Click here to read the full letter

The Mountain Mail

“The environmental impact statement for Over The River has been released. … The Mail endorsed the project years ago. There’s nothing in the four volumes just released that changes our position. If anything, details in the EIS confirm our support for OTR.”
Mountain Mail Newspaper (Salida)
Click here to read the full editorials

The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver

“The Museum of Contemporary Art Denver joins the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center, Pueblo, Colorado, in support of Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s Over The River project.”
The Museum of Contemporary Art (MCA) Denver
Click here to read the full announcement

New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs

“The people of New Mexico certainly recognize the value, both culturally and economically, that art has on the community and my office is proud to support such a monumental and unprecedented project. … During the viewing period, we can expect thousands of visitors to travel to northern New Mexico and Santa Fe as part of their trip.”
Stuart Ashman, Former Cabinet Secretary, New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs
Click here to read the full letter

Barbara O’Brien, Former Lieutenant Governor of Colorado

“The artists have an unwavering commitment to working with communities in the valley to ensure that Over The River is a positive and beneficial experience for Colorado. It is this same commitment that they have taken to every one of their other temporary works of art. Because of that, many communities that were originally skeptical of their ideas came to embrace their works as a positive and beneficial experience.”
Barbara O’Brien, Former Lieutenant Governor, Colorado
Click here to read the full letter

The Pueblo Chieftain

“If all the kinks can be worked out, and we are confident they can be, Over The River promises to be a major tourist draw during its two-week display. Millions of dollars are anticipated to be injected into the regional economy, and the value of the worldwide publicity the project would generate is incalculable. And can you believe? It’ll all be free!”
The Pueblo Chieftan
Click here to read the full editorial

Bill Richardson, Former Governor of New Mexico

“The range of benefits this temporary work of art would have on the region, specifically New Mexico, cannot be ignored and I urge you to support this project as proposed.”
Bill Richardson, Former Governor of New Mexico
Click here to read the full letter

Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Board of Trustees

“The Board of Trustees at the Sangre de Cristo Arts Center endorses Christo and Jeanne-Claude’s proposed Over the River art project in a unanimous vote. … As with previous works of art in rural environments, Christo and Jeanne-Claude will continue their unprecedented commitment to respecting, protecting and integrating the environment into Over the River.”
Sangre de Cristo Arts Center Board of Trustees
Click here to read the full letter

Lewis Sharp, Former Denver Art Museum Director

“Not only will Over the River provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for all who visit, but it will also help to advance Colorado’s rapidly growing prominence in the art world. … This will be an artistic event unlike anything we’ve seen or will likely ever see again.”
Lewis Sharp, Former Director, Denver Art Museum
Click here to read the full letter

Patrick A. Shea, Former National Director, Bureau of Land Management

“Over The River perfectly reflects the type of artistic, social, and cultural engagement that public art seeks to create. Public art such as Over The River is by definition meant to provoke reaction by engaging the public outside the framework of a traditional artistic exhibition — outside of the four walls of a museum, and outside of the four corners of a painting.”
Patrick A. Shea, Former National Director, Bureau of Land Management
Click here to read the full editorial

Taos Center for the Arts

“Christo and Jeanne-Claude are magnificent artists who use the world as their armature or backdrop. They have devoted their lives to public art and are an inspiration to artists everywhere. Christo and Jeanne-Claude are universally revered and respected and will bring art enthusiasts from around the globe to experience Over The River.”
Ron Usherwood and Kristine Rippel, Taos Center for the Arts
Click here to read the full letter

George Turner, Former Executive Director, Cañon City Chamber of Commerce

“Without exception, (Christo and Jeanne-Claude) are most sensitive to the natural surroundings of their art projects, and of the residents of the areas where they are constructed. Their research, planning and negotiations with local residents and organizations of governance are exhaustive; and the artists pay for all costs.”
George Turner, Former Executive Director, Canon City Chamber of Commerce
Click here to read the full letter

Visit Denver – The Convention & Visitors Bureau

“Over The River will draw significant media attention, helping to introduce new visitors to all of the amenities that Colorado has to offer. … This project will leave Colorado with a long-lasting artistic legacy that will contribute to our state’s growing reputation for cultural excellence.”
Visit Denver, The Conventions & Visitors Bureau
Click here to read the full letter

Western Colorado Center for the Arts

“The Western Colorado Center for the Arts can attest to the artists’ careful planning and commitment to helping the environment and the community surrounding the selected location during the process and completion of the Valley Curtain in Rifle, Colorado. Several of our staff participated in the project itself … While discussing the Over The River project memories of the past Rifle Gap project were shared and fondly remembered.”
Western Colorado Center for the Arts
Click here to read the full letter

Al White, Director, Colorado Tourism Office

“Tourism is Colorado’s primary economic driver and this is a truly unique opportunity for the state. As the Director of the Colorado Tourism Office, I am certain this project will bring our state significant economic activity and exposure throughout the project’s installation, exhibition and removal. Over The River will bring revenue to the state in the form of construction jobs filled by local residents, increased tourist spending at local businesses and generation of additional local and state tax revenues – all of which will come to Colorado at no expense to the taxpayer.”
Al White, Director, Colorado Tourism Office
Click here to read the full letter

Whitewater Adventure Outfitters

“This is a unique opportunity to bring an international spotlight to the Upper Arkansas Valley. . . Being in the tourism business, our view is that Over The River will have a long term effect on the tourism economy in the Valley for years to come…”
Tony and Kathy Keenan, Owners, Whitewater Adventure Outfitters
Click here to read the full letter

New Mexico State Senator Peter Wirth

“Over The River will be a truly historic event that will benefit southern Colorado and northern New Mexico in many ways. Key to my support is the fact that the artists have requested a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) to be completed as part of this project. This action is consistent with the artists’ track record of taking every possible precaution to minimize and, when possible, entirely avoid any impact to the environment.”
State Senator Peter Wirth, New Mexico District 25
Click here to read the full letter

Please note that the specific plans for Over The River continue to evolve, and as a result some of the information in these letters — specifically regarding the OTR exhibition period and other details — may be out of date. You can find the most current information by visiting the About OTR and Latest News sections of this site. Also, note that the leadership of the organizations sending endorsements can sometimes change as chairs retire and others come on board, but the support of each organization listed continues.