Friday, August 1, 2025
Colorado’s tourism economy grew in 2024, as visitor spending, travel-related employment and overall level of earnings were up throughout the state. With visitors flocking to state’s world-class outdoor hot spots, even the Colorado economy did great with $28.5 billion in total economic impact. Yet preliminary 2025 trends indicate that the tourism sector will not be exempt from its share of challenges, as changing spending power of tourists and extrinsic impacts continue to play significant roles in the future of the Colorado Tourism.

Visitation and Economic Impact Increases

Colorado tourism saw a 2.3% increase in 2024, with 95.4 million visitors, up from 93.3 million a year earlier. This surge in visitation was a direct contribution to the state economy, more than $28 billion in economic activity. The growth in travel spending not only bolstered local businesses, but also helped create jobs in the state, with nearly 188,510 employment opportunities supported by tourism, with more than 4,000 new jobs generated by the sector, according to the study by Longwoods International and Dean Runyan Associates.

Advertisement
Visitor spending on accommodations, transportation, dining and retail were crucial in this achievement. In the Denver-area alone, there was almost $13.9 billion in travel-related spending, which accounted for almost 49% of the state’s total tourism revenue. The Rockies Playground, which includes areas like Summit and Eagle counties, fared well, generating $4.4 billion in travel spending. Yet, despite these optimistic signals there has been some trouble in paradise when we continue to dig into the numbers.

Beginning 2025, Problems and Downturns

2024 ended on a high note and 2025 is opening with some signals of a slowdown. Preliminary statistics show a marginal decrease in hotel occupancy by 2% and a reduction of 2.7% in revenues from hotel stays up to June 2025. You can also rent them out on a short-term basis and those were affected more with short term rental occupancy down by around 10 percent in the first quarter. The declines have caused concern in the tourism trade overall, with industry professionals attributing some of those declines to competition from other states and uncertainty over changes in federal policy playing a factor in the weaker start.

There was also a drastic drop in international tourism, particularly from Canada, in early 2025. Canadians attitudes towards travel changed out of concern for tariffs, political statements and currency exchange. International travelers represent roughly 8-10% of Colorado’s tourism revenue, making this change something that could change the shape of the state’s tourism numbers in the future if this trend continues.

Regional and Demographic Shifts

Local tourism spending also had mixed results in the wake of the broader economic fallout in Colorado. Although the Denver metro area saw the majority of spending as well, the great west region, which includes Grand and Routt counties, did see a 3.2% decline in tourism-related revenue compared to the previous year. In spite of this decline, other regions like the Rockies Playground were able to maintain expansion, just not as strong as the past few years.
A second major trend in 2024 was the new look of Colorado’s visitors. Those who do travel to the state are wealthier and an increasing number earn more than $100,000 a year. This shift in demographics has created even more high-spending visitors and fewer low-income visitors. In addition, visitors are getting a little older, with the average age of tourists, for example, in 2024 reaching 42 years old, up from 41.2 in 2023.

The future for Colorado Tourism, Adaptation and Growth

The other good news for Colorado tourism in 2025 is that there are a number of other glimmers of hope. The state’s outdoor-dividend factor remains one of the most significant in the nation, attracting tourists in search of hiking, backpacking, national park visits. Colorado is the forefront of outdoor tourism, national parks and beautiful scenery attract thousands of visitors every year.
What’s more, is that Colorado has also made significant progress on the accessibility front for visitors with 23% of overnight trips, needing at least one type of access service. This surpasses the U.S. average, and the satisfaction rate among visitors has surged, demonstrating the state’s dedication to being inclusive.

Conclusion

2025 indicate a tough year ahead for Colorado’s tourism industry, but with the state’s resilient and diverse tourism product, strategic marketing and continued enhancements in accessibility, it will be well-prepared for long-term success. The changes in visitor profiles and international visitation will require some recalibration but by deliberately planning and by continuing to invest in local communities, Colorado’s tourism sector is still an economic workhorse. Prioritizing outdoor experiences and a dedication to improving access may lift the state out of some of its current struggles and draw many more people to visit in future years.

Advertisement
Tags: Colorado, Colorado International Tourism, Colorado Tourism, Tourism Economy Colorado, U.S. tourism 2025

I want to receive travel news and trade event update from Travel And Tour World. I have read Travel And Tour World’sPrivacy Notice.
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025
Friday, August 1, 2025

source