Colorado Tourism Statistics

Tourism plays a key role in Colorado’s economy, generating more than $25 billion annually.

• In 2024, tourism spending reached $28.5 billion, though year-over-year growth settled at 0.4%.
• In contrast, 2023 saw spending of $28.4 billion, a 4.4% increase from the previous year.
• Tourism spending was $24.2 billion in 2019 before the pandemic, then fell sharply to $16 billion in 2020.
• It rebounded to $22.1 billion in 2021 and $27.2 billion in 2022.

How much did visitors spend in 2024?

• Visitors spent $28.5 billion in 2024, but this represented only a 0.4% increase over 2023.
• This growth lagged behind the national average of 4.2% for travel-related spending during the same period.

How much did visitors spend in 2023?

• Tourists spent $28.4 billion in 2023, marking stronger growth than in 2024.
• This was a 4.4% increase from the $27.2 billion spent in 2022.

Visitor Spending Breakdown

• In 2024, Colorado visitors spent a total of $6.4 billion on accommodation, which constituted 22.5% of overall spending.
• Food services was the next largest category, accounting for $6.3 billion or 22.1%.
• Local transport and air travel each contributed $3 billion.
• Retail spending amounted to $2.9 billion, representing 10.2% of the total.

How much do visitors spend across different regions of Colorado?

• The Denver region saw about $13.9 billion in visitor spending in 2024.
• The “Rockies Playground” (Summit, Eagle, Pitkin, Garfield counties) reported $4.4 billion.
• The Pikes Peak Wonders region recorded around $3.1 billion.
• Both the Cities of the Rockies and Mountains & Mesas regions received approximately $2.5 billion each.

How much does it cost to visit Colorado?

Costs vary widely by region, season and travel style. The state increasingly caters to higher-income visitors.

• Budget travelers spend about $100-150 daily, covering modest lodging, casual meals and public transit.
• Mid-range travelers spend about $200-300 daily, staying in standard hotels and eating at moderate restaurants.
• Luxury travelers often spend $400+ per day, with premium lodging and upscale dining, especially in mountain areas.

Colorado offers year-round appeal, but visitation peaks align with outdoor recreation seasons.

• The third quarter (July to September) is the busiest, thanks to good weather for hiking, camping and national park visits.
• Summer is ideal for outdoor activities with warm temperatures and open trails.
• Winter is critical for mountain towns, fueled by the ski industry, which saw 14 million skier visits during the 2023-2024 season.
• Fall draws visitors for scenic drives and aspen foliage, particularly in places like Crested Butte.
• Spring and autumn are considered shoulder seasons, with fewer crowds but variable weather.

• Denver served as the main urban hub, attracting 39.2 million visitors in 2024.
• Rocky Mountain National Park received 5.1 million visits.
• Colorado Springs, home to Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods, welcomed about 3.5 million visitors.
• Aspen and Breckenridge each saw an estimated 2.1 million visitors.

• Tourism’s total economic contribution in 2024 was $28.5 billion, making it one of the state's largest industries.
• The sector supported 188,210 direct travel-related jobs, a 2% increase from 2023.
• Tax revenue totaled $1.9 billion in 2024, rising 1.3% year over year.