Sid Wilson

Sid Wilson, President, A Private Guide"Let's face it, tourism is about service. And there's no greater art for a human being to participate in than the art of giving service." More »

Tourism Pays for Colorado

Tourism is the second largest industry in the State of Colorado. Visitors stimulate the local economy and benefit hotels, meeting facilities, attractions, restaurants, cultural institutions, tour companies, transportation providers, local farmers and countless other businesses.

Colorado
  • Overnight visitors to Colorado spent $8.8 billion in 2010. [1]
  • Colorado welcomed a record 55.1 million visitors in 2010, a 6.1% increase over 2009 and the highest total number ever reported [1]
  • Colorado's travel industry generated $750 million in local and state tax revenues during the 2010 calendar year. [2]
  • This represents approximately $395 of tax revenue per household in the state. [2]

[1] Source: Longwood International, 2011
[2] Source: Dean Runyan Associates, September 2011

For more information about tourism in Colorado and the Colorado Tourism Office, go to: http://colorado.com/industry.


" In 1993, Colorado eliminated its $12M tourism marketing budget. As a result, Colorado’s domestic market share plunged 30%, representing a loss of over $1.4 billion in tourism revenue." -
Dr. Bill Siegel
Chairman & CEO, Longwoods International

The Rise and Fall of Colorado Tourism

To learn more about the importance of tourism marketing and the direct impact it has on Colorado's economy, read this special report.


Colorado Destination Marketing Organizations

Destination Marketing Organization (DMOs) play an important role in promoting regions across Colorado as tourism destinations. Colorado DMOs work together to bolster national and international awareness about our beautiful state and stimulate the state's economy. For more information about Colorado's great visitor destinations, review the list of DMOs below:

Submit your DMO information »


Aspen

For more than 50 years, skiing and culture have been at the heart of life in Aspen. This small Victorian mining town began with a silver sparkle and continues to shine as one of the brightest stars in the resort world.
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Boulder

Cresting over the hill on highway 36 into Boulder, it's easy to see why this intriguing town has been dubbed "the city nestled between the mountains and reality." At 5,430 feet above sea level, acres of vast open space roll into Boulder's quaint cityscape tucked into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.
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Breckenridge

Breckenridge, Colorado's summer season brings lush mountainsides covered with brilliant wildflowers, rivers and streams rushing with cool clear water and miles of trails to be explored.
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Colorado Springs

Discover more than 50 exciting and unique attractions in Colorado Springs, Colorado such as Pikes Peak, U.S. Olympic Training Center, Garden of the Gods Park, and the U.S. Air Force Academy.
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Crested Butte

Crested Butte has never shied away from a party or reason to celebrate! Spring, summer, fall and winter are eventfull times in our beautiful valley. Local characters and visitors alike come together to celebrate the traditional and non-traditional.
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Delta

Delta County provides year-round recreation opportunities, scenic vistas, Farm, Wine, History and other tours for today's explorers.
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Denver

With 300 days of sunshine, a walkable downtown, thriving arts and culture, an award-winning culinary scene, and the Rocky Mountains as a backdrop, Denver offers an affordable mix of urban sophistication and outdoor adventure.
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Durango

Enjoy the history and charm of Durango, Colorado, the town where they filmed "City Slickers." Kick up your heels, shake off the hustle and bustle of the city life, and retreat to a more peaceful and relaxed way of life in the true "Old West."
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Estes Park

Estes Park is a vacation destination that transforms trips to the Colorado Rockies into dream vacations in paradise. Come for a day, a week, or more to visit this eastern gateway community to Rocky Mountain National Park.
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Fort Collins

In Fort Collins you'll find award-winning schools, a globally focused university, hopping arts scene, eclectic shops and restaurants, hundreds of miles of walking and biking paths, and a myriad of outdoor activities.
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Fraser Valley

Finding activities for the entire family is no problem in The Fraser Valley — no matter what the season. When the snow is falling you'll find world-class skiing. In summer, you can take the kids on Colorado's longest Alpine Slide!
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Glenwood Springs

With the world's largest hot springs swimming pool, Glenwood Springs sits at the confluence of the Roaring Fork River and the Colorado River, serving as a natural fit for year-round fun.
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Grand Junction

Exhilarating outdoor adventures and stunning golf courses; peaceful places to reflect and unwind, and a charming downtown full of great shops, restaurants, galleries and more make Grand Junction, Colorado's Wine Country.
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Greeley

Greeley characterizes the American West with open spaces, adventurous souls, and a history as expansive and colorful as its surroundings. It's no wonder Greeley is filled with easy smiles and boundless possibilities.
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Gunnison

Gunnison has never shied away from a party or reason to celebrate! Spring, summer, fall and winter are eventfull times in our beautiful valley. Local characters and visitors alike come together to celebrate the traditional and non-traditional.
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Longmont

Shadowed by the majesty of Long's Peak and nestled in the St. Vrain River Valley is the charming community of Longmont. Breathtaking views and an annual 300 days of sunshine greet vacationers in this community twice recognized by Money Magazine as one of the publication's "Top 100 Places to Live in America."
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Mesa Verde

Southwest Colorado's towns of Cortez, Dolores, Mancos and Towaoc embrace the archaeological center of America, anchored by world-renowned Mesa Verde National Park. Mesa Verde Country is just a short drive from the Four Corners Monument, Arches, and Monument Valley.
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Montrose

Montrose is not a fabricated western town nor is it a new-age ski resort; it is a real town with real people. From its thriving art, rich culture, and bustling downtown to a deep history that still infuses the air with Old West flavor, this multi-faceted town serves layer upon layer of discoveries, each more unique than the last.
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San Luis Valley

Isolated in Southern Colorado, our heritage reaches back to Colorado's first town, Colorado's oldest church, rich Spanish tradition, historic railroads and abundant agriculture.
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Snowmass

Tucked high in the Brush Creek Valley, Snowmass Village, Colorado, is like the shy neighbor who turns out to be vivacious upon closer acquaintance. Within this 25-square-mile town resides more than 40 miles of hiking and biking trails and one of the best summer resort music scenes in the state.
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Steamboat Springs

Whether it is winter, summer, spring or fall, Steamboat Springs has it all! In the winter you don't have to pick if you want to experience World Class Skiing or float effortlessly through our legendary Champagne Powder snow. It is all in one place, a town known as Ski Town, USA., Steamboat Springs, Colorado.
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Vail

The Vail Valley is awaiting your discovery in the Colorado Rockies. Beautiful scenery, activities and unrivaled ski resorts combine to create the ultimate Colorado Rocky Mountain getaway any time of year. From Vail itself, where it all began, to Beaver Creek Resort, there is something for everyone!
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Winter Park

Finding activities for the entire family is no problem in Winter Park — no matter what the season. When the snow is falling you'll find world-class skiing. In summer, you can take the kids on Colorado's longest Alpine Slide!
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LEARN MORE

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Why Tourism Pays was developed and is trademarked by Denver's Convention and Visitors Bureau (VISIT DENVER), responsible for competitively marketing Denver as a travel destination. More about Tourism Pays