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With some outdoor industry executives calling for the Outdoor Retailer show to leave Utah in protest of the state's public land policies, Colorado may be positioning itself as a possible alternative for the massive convention.

"We are always going to make the argument 'Here's why Colorado is better,'" Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper told The Denver Post.

The remarks come as some outdoor industry leaders — most notably Black Diamond founder Peter Metcalf and Yvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia — are arguing for the show to relocate to a state whose leaders and policies better promote protection of public lands.

Hickenlooper, who has pushed for $100 million in trail development for hiking and biking in Colorado, contrasted his position — "I think we need more public land, not less" — against that of Utah Gov. Gary Herbert. Herbert has spoken out against the recent national monument designation of Bears Ears in southern Utah and called for federal public lands to be transferred to the state.

Metcalf has characterized those positions as part of "an all-out assault on the sanctity of Utah and the country's public lands," one that harms the outdoor industry and quality of life in the state.

"I think the show should ultimately reward a state that is embracing policies that are good for recreation, good for the health of its citizens and ... will help advance the kind of economy and the kind of jobs that are integral to the quality of life in the state," Metcalf said this week.

Hickenlooper's staff said on Tuesday that they have had no communication with Emerald Expositions, the show's owner, and that Hickenlooper was discussing the entire recreation industry in his comments, not specifically focusing on the Outdoor Retailer conventions.

Scott Beck, president of Visit Salt Lake, said every major convention attracts suitors from other states.

"Any time we reach the renegotiation of the [Outdoor Retailer] contract, this happens," Beck said. "I can list eight states [that are seeking Outdoor Retailer]. Conventions are very, very big business. This is not the first time Denver has positioned itself for the show, and it won't be the last. This is a very, very competitive industry."

Beck also noted that some industry leaders had pushed for Outdoor Retailer to leave Utah over land use issues multiple times in the past.

"There are always going to be voices that are reflective of Peter Metcalf's position, [but] Peter doesn't speak for the industry as a whole," Beck said.

Metcalf said it would be a "serious miscalculation" to underestimate the industry leaders' anger over the state's reactions to Bears Ears and congressional efforts, led by Utah's delegation, to sell federal lands.

"You're not negotiating unless you can walk away," Metcalf said.

"We're at a point again where there's a huge amount of frustration. Just because the show has been here for years, just because it's convenient to come here, doesn't mean that the criteria of the show's board, let alone its exhibitors [is being met]," Metcalf said. "There is a palpable, growing frustration over the policies related to our pubic lands that are emanating from this state. To ... assume that this is just a negotiating ploy and should not be taken seriously would be a bad mistake."

Emerald Expositions did not respond to The Tribune's request for comment.

Twitter: @erinalberty