Colorado offers a diverse selection of tourism and outdoor recreational activities that draw visitors from every corner of the world. In 2014, Colorado recorded 71.3 million visitors spending $15.2 billion for day and overnight trips for outdoor and touring, special events, and city trips.
No matter the time of year, Colorado has outdoor recreational offerings for everyone, ranging from big game hunting and rock climbing in the fall, to snowshoeing and skiing in the winter, to hiking in the spring, and rafting and golfing in the summer. The state’s extensive outdoor opportunities are supported by access to 22 million acres of national forests and expansive public lands, 42 state parks, more than 30 wilderness areas, and the highest concentration of 14,000-foot mountain peaks in the nation. Colorado’s four National Parks—Rocky Mountain, Mesa Verde, Great Sand Dunes, and Black Canyon of the Gunnison—are home to some of the world’s most astounding scenery and attract 5.2 million visitors annually.
Colorado is a top ski and snowboard destination, offering 25 resorts, 325 ski lifts, 2,460 trails, and 42,680 skiable acres. Skiing and snowboarding supported more than 46,000 jobs annually and more than $1.9 million in income. Further, the state is a premier hub for angling, hunting, state park visitation, and wildlife viewing, which contribute roughly $6.1 billion annually in economic impact statewide, while fishing and hunting contribute more than $2.8 billion.
While the great outdoors are a significant attractor of tourism, the state is a year-round destination featuring a variety of attractions and festivals, arts and culture, and history and heritage. Colorado hosts many nationally recognized events and festivals throughout the year, including the National Western Stock Show, the USA Pro Challenge, Great American Beer Festival, the Colorado Springs Balloon Classic, and the Winter X-Games in Aspen. The Cheyenne Mountain Zoo in Colorado Springs is the country’s only mountainside zoo, while the Denver Zoo is the greenest zoo in the nation.
The state’s vibrant and diverse selection of world-renowned music, dance, theater, and visual arts provides residents and tourists alike with unlimited entertainment options. The Colorado Springs Fine Arts Center has one of the country’s strongest collections of Hispanic, Latin American, and American Indian art. The Sangre de Cristo Arts & Conference Center in Pueblo is a multi-disciplinary center for the arts that serves 17 surrounding counties. The Denver Performing Arts Complex is one of the largest such complexes in the world. Other facilities include the Western Colorado Center for the Arts in Grand Junction, the Denver Art Museum, and the Rocky Mountain Repertory Theatre in Grand Lake.
Colorado’s rich history is filled with stories of travelling dinosaurs, Native American tribes, a great western expansion, the Gold Rush, and railroad development. Tourists can explore the state’s history and heritage through the Colorado Railroad Museum, the Rocky Mountain Dinosaur Resource Center, and historic forts including Bent’s Old Fort, Fort Garland, and Fort Uncompahgre.
Colorado’s unique natural environment, strong ties to the arts, and rich heritage ensures there is something for all travelers to enjoy throughout the state. The wide variety of outdoor activities, festivals, events, and attractions secure Colorado’s place as a top travel destination.
