Denver Tourism Statistics

Page last updated: 3 November 2025

Denver in Colorado offers cultural attractions like the Denver Art Museum and serves as a gateway to the nearby Rocky Mountains, making it a popular destination for both adventure seekers and those interested in arts and culture.

How many people visit Denver each year? 

In recent years, Denver has attracted over 30 million visitors annually, with overnight visitors ranging from 15 million to 21 million.¹

• Before the pandemic, the number of overnight visitors in Denver remained steady, with 17.4 million in 2017 and 17.7 million in 2019.

• The impact of the pandemic caused overnight visitors to fall to 13.4 million in 2020.

• By 2021, Denver began to recover, welcoming 16.6 million overnight visitors as travel confidence slowly returned and further increased to 19.9 million in 2022.

• The city set a new record in 2023 with 20.5 million overnight trips, reflecting Denver’s growing appeal and the broader recovery of the travel industry.

• Overnight visits totaled 19.8 million in 2024, 3.4% lower than 2023 and 0.5% below 2022.

How many people visited Denver in 2024?

Denver welcomed 19.8 million overnight visitors in 2024. 

• This figure surpassed the pre-pandemic peak of 17.7 million in 2019 (an increase of about 11.9%), but was 3.4% below the previous year.

How many people visited Denver in 2023?

In 2023, approximately 20.5 million people visited Denver.This was an increase of approximately 3% compared to 2022 and about 15.8% up from 17.7 million visitors in 2019.

How much do visitors spend in Denver every year?

Visitors to Denver spend approximately $5 billion to $8 billion annually.²

• Visitor spending in Denver remained steady at approximately $6 billion annually from 2017 through 2019.

• However, in 2020, spending dropped to $4.3 billion due to reduced travel during the pandemic.

• In 2021, visitor expenditure showed signs of recovery, increasing to $5.5 billion.

• By 2022, spending surged to $8 billion, reflecting a strong rebound in tourism.

• Visitor spending continued to rise, reaching $8.8 billion in 2023 and $8.7 billion in 2024.

How much did visitors spend in Denver in 2024? 

Total travel expenditure reached $8.7 billion in 2024. 

• This expenditure showed a slight 1.1% decrease from the previous year and surpassed the pre-pandemic spending of $6 billion in 2019 by 45%.

How much does it costs to visit Denver?

• In 2024, the average per person per trip was $437, a 2.3% increase from $427 in 2023.
• On average, leisure travelers spent $435 per trip, while business travelers spent $445.

How long do visitors spend in Denver?

• Visitors at Denver spent 2.7 nights on average on the trip in 2024.
• In 2023, the average number of nights was 2.8 and before the pandemic, the average was 3 nights.

Impact of Coronavirus – Denver Tourism Statistics 2020 and 2021

• In 2020, Denver saw a decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with approximately 27.7 million domestic visitors, down 13% from 2019. Visitor spending also dropped to $4.3 billion, a 28% decrease from the $6 billion spent in 2019.

• In 2021, the number of domestic visitors to Denver increased to 31.7 million, up 14% from the previous year. Visitor spending also improved, reaching $5.5 billion, a 28% increase from 2020, yet still below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

Where do visitors to Denver come from?

• Denver’s appeal drew travelers from all over the United States in 2024, with domestic tourists mostly from Colorado (24% of all trips), Texas (10%), California (9%), Florida (4%), and Arizona (4%).³

When is the best time to visit Denver?

• The best time to visit Denver, Colorado, is during the spring (April to May) and fall (September to October). During these periods, the weather is mild, with temperatures ranging from the mid-60s to low 70s (°F). The city experiences fewer tourists, making it easier to enjoy outdoor activities and local attractions.

• June to August (Summer) is the busiest season in Denver, with warm temperatures around 88°F in July. However, the summer season brings higher prices and larger crowds.

• Winter (December to February) is ideal for skiing and winter sports, with colder temperatures in the 30s to 40s (°F), and the city is less crowded during this time.

Denver & USA Travel Resources

How many people visit Colorado each year?

In 2024, Colorado recorded 95.4 million visits, which included 55.6 million overnight stays and 39.8 million day visits.

• In 2019, before the pandemic, Colorado welcomed 86.9 million visitors. During the pandemic, the number of visitors dropped by approximately 14%, resulting in 74.2 million visits.

• In 2022, visitation numbers began to recover, reaching around 92 million. By 2023, the total increased by 1.4%, reaching 93.3 million.

• Visitor numbers further increased by 2.3% to 95.4 million in 2024

How many people visit Rocky Mountain National Park each year?

Rocky Mountain National Park located in Colorado received 4.12 million visits in 2023. 

• Rocky Mountain National Park received 4.67 million visitors in 2019. By 2020, this number decreased by 29% to 3.31 million due to the pandemic and a temporary closure caused by a forest fire.

• Visitor numbers began to recover in 2021, reaching 4.43 million. However, the number of visits declined to 4.3 million in 2022 and decreased further to 4.12 million in 2023.

• Visitor numbers slightly increased to 4.15 million in 202

How popular is Denver as a tourists destination?

Denver is one of the most popular urban destinations in the United States, consistently recognized for its vibrant culture, outdoor lifestyle, and innovative tourism initiatives. The city’s tourism sector has earned multiple awards for excellence and leadership, particularly through Visit Denver’s programs and statewide recognitions.

Key awards and recognitions (2024–2025):

• 2025 Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame – Inducted Paul Andrews, Jayne Buck, Greg Leonard, and Brian Vogt for their outstanding contributions to the state’s tourism industry.

• 2025 Tourism Stars – Honored seven organizations and events for exceptional achievements in promoting Denver tourism.

• 2024 Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame – Recognized leading individuals and attractions for advancing the city’s tourism and hospitality sector.

• 2024 Tourism Stars – Awarded to top-performing tourism entities that made significant impacts on Denver’s visitor economy.

These accolades highlight Denver’s growing reputation as a premier travel destination, blending natural beauty, cultural innovation, and industry excellence.

Must-See Attractions in Denver

• Denver Zoo: Home to over 3,000 animals across 450 species, the zoo draws about 2 million visitors each year.

• Denver Museum of Nature & Science: The museum offers diverse exhibitions and educational programs, welcoming about 1.4 million visitors annually.

• Red Rocks Park and Amphitheatre: Known for its natural beauty and acoustically perfect amphitheatre, Red Rocks attracts over 1 million visitors annually.

• Denver’s Union Station: A historic transit hub that also offers dining, shopping, and entertainment, attracting millions of visitors every year.

• Larimer Square: Denver’s historic block features Victorian buildings, dining, and shopping. The square is popular among both locals and tourists.

America and USA Travel Statistics Resources

• Arizona Statistics (incl. Grand Canyon National Park)
• California Statistics (incl. Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Universal Studios Hollywood)
• Canada Statistics (incl. Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver)
• Colorado Statistics
• Florida Statistics (incl. Destin, Key West, Miami, Orlando, Universal Orlando, Walt Disney World)
• Hawaii Statistics (incl. Kauai, Maui, Oahu)
• Illinois Statistics (incl. Chicago)
• Louisiana Statistics (incl. New Orleans)
• Massachusetts Statistics (incl. Boston)
• Mexico Statistics (incl. Cancun)
• Nevada Statistics (incl. Las Vegas)
• New York Statistics (incl. New York City, Statue of Liberty)
• Panama Statistics
• Peru Statistics (incl. Machu Picchu)
• South Dakota Statistics (incl. Mount Rushmore)
• Tennessee Statistics (incl. Memphis, Nashville)
• Texas Statistics (incl. Dallas, Houston, San Antonio)
• Utah Statistics
• Washington Statistics (incl. Seattle)
• Yellowstone National Park Statistics

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References

1. Denver: Overnight Trips and Travel Spending – 2023 ↩︎
2. Denver: Tourism Facts and Figures ↩︎
3. Denver: Key Tourism Statistics 2023 – Top Market ↩︎