Colorado Tourism

This is the place to find all you need to know about area information for the region, city or town you're planning to visit. The local resources you'll find here are the perfect contacts for setting up your trip and getting insider tips on where to stay and what to do. Our list of statewide visitor centers is a great resource for those driving across our beautiful state. Stop and stretch your legs, get directions and learn more about the area you're traveling in. You've also come to the right spot if you're interested in getting married or honeymooning in Colorado - after all, what could be a more romantic backdrop for your special day than the natural beauty of our diverse landscape?  

Visit us at www.Colorado.com!  Also, view a Colorado state map showing links to our Welcome Centers. Click here to ro read our past issues of the Colorado Travel Trends Newsletter.

Tourism is vital to the stability and economic growth of our community.  In 2004, it contributed approximately $7.3 billion to the State economy and consistently ranks among the top three largest industries in the state.  In addition, tourism employs more than 200,000 Coloradans, many of whom live and work right here in our community.  Colorado continues to gain momentum within the tourism industry, but we can’t stop there.  By supporting tourism, we strengthen our community, while contributing to the well-being of our state.

In 2004, Colorado welcomed more than 25 million domestic overnight visitors--the highest recorded number of leisure travelers in over 13 years—according to the latest Colorado Tourism Office (CTO) “Colorado 2004 Travel Year Study,” conducted by Longwoods International.  Vacationers visiting friends and relatives in our state increased, as did other non-business trips. After several years of gradual decline, the average length of vacationers’ trips to Colorado rebounded and averaged more than six nights in 2004, surpassing the national average of five nights.  Why is this important?  Because longer visits means more money being spent.

It’s important to recognize how tourism affects all of us as Colorado citizens.  Whether you grow food for a restaurant, give tours of one of the thousands of attractions across the State, work as a grocery store clerk, gas station attendant or as a police officer, you are impacted by the economic benefits of tourism.

The CTO advertising campaign in 2004 accounted for more than $1.4 billion in incremental visitor spending, up from $1.05 million in 2003, according to the “Colorado 2004 Travel Year Study.” The increased spending translates into $89.5 million in additional tax revenues generated from tourism promotion. In other words, for every dollar spent in promoting and advertising, each Colorado visitor spent $292 on average.  This is an incredible return on investment!

The research conducted by the State supports what we already know:  tourism touches the lives of every Colorado citizen.  A significant investment in tourism promotion reaps huge dividends for the state and our local community.  It’s worth the effort.  And, it’s worth our continued and permanent support.

Don't forget to check out the Advancing Colorado Program, the Tourism Ambassador Program, and the Tourism Council of Carbondale.