Tourism is a vital part of the state’s economy and accounts for a significant share of its employment.

On that, I think we can all agree.

Regrettably, Gov. John Hickenlooper this month opted to kneecap tourism by vetoing legislation that would have expanded a tax-incentives program for tourism projects in Estes Park and five other locations around the state.

The proposed legislation, according to the governor’s line of thinking, didn’t jibe with the intent of the 2009 Regional Tourism Act.

The Estes Park project calls for a $50 million year-round ski and recreational area near the historic Elkhorn Lodge. Whether it goes forward any time soon is now very much up in the air.

Here’s what the governor wrote in his veto letter to lawmakers:

“Any RTA project should bring new tourists from out of state that would not otherwise visit Colorado or the state’s existing venues. The RTA does not contemplate, however, projects that are likely to serve only the interests of a particular community.”

Of course, that makes good sense, but I think the governor made a mistake.

The tourism industry, like any other, gathers as much