A new report from state officials paints the clearest picture yet of the scale of Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy.

Earlier this month, Colorado Parks and Wildlife unveiled the latest iteration of its Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, a guiding document for public land management that is updated on a five-year cycle. 

The sprawling document, which identifies challenges, strategies and priorities for the state’s recreation sector, also contains a wide breadth of data on how Coloradans use their outdoor spaces.

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“As the 2025 (plan) confirms, outdoor recreation is essential to Colorado’s economy and quality of life,” said Colorado Parks and Wildlife Director Jeff Davis, in a statement. 

Here are four takeaways from the 242-page report: 

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Outdoor recreation remains a billion-dollar industry 

Last year, outdoor recreation generated $65.8 billion in economic output for the state economy, and recreationists in Colorado spent over $52.1 billion dollars on trips and equipment, according to the report. 

“However, the economic impacts do not stop there — outdoor recreation spending has positive ripple effects across other sectors through supply purchases, wages and other factors,” the report states. “People and businesses are drawn to Colorado by its outdoor recreation opportunities, further driving the state’s economic engine.”

The industry created $36.5 billion in the state’s gross domestic product, which is 8.5% of the state’s entire GDP, and generated $11.2 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue. Over 400,000 jobs — 12.5% of the state’s labor force — were supported by outdoor recreation in 2023. 

Another report released last month by the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows Colorado ranks in the top 10 for states with the largest outdoor recreation economies. 

Some recreational use has slowed since COVID-19 pandemic 

Outdoor recreation use remains historically high, though the report suggests a slowdown in some areas. 

A survey of 479 public land managers in Colorado indicates that outdoor recreation surged during the first years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most respondents represented local agencies, such as county, city and town governments. 

Over half — 62% — indicated visitation had increased during the height of the pandemic from approximately March 2020 through December 2021. 

During the fiscal years of 2020 and 2021, the number of sales of hunting and fishing licenses reached above 1.1 million but dipped below 1 million in 2022, 2023 and 2024. 

“There was an increase in fishing license sales during the COVID-19 pandemic, but the sales volumes appear to have returned to pre-pandemic levels,” the report states. 

Between fiscal year 2019 and 2024, boat registration sales decreased by around 3% while hunting license sales increased by around 1%. Sales of big game hunting licenses decreased by about 10% while the sales of other hunting licenses increased by 11%. 

In a survey of 765 Colorado residents, nearly three-quarters — 72% — said they recreate outdoors at least once per week but less than half — 42% — said they participated more frequently in outdoor recreation following the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Most respondents — 69% — expected their participation in the next year to remain about the same compared to the previous year. 

Nationally, the number of Americans who recreate outdoors continues to increase, with 55% of the U.S. population above the age of 6 engaging in outdoor recreation in 2022. 

“However, for the first time since the 2020 pandemic, the number of outings per participant decreased, indicating that new participants are continuing to recreate outdoors post-pandemic, but they tend to do so less frequently,” the report reads. 

Other state agencies like the Colorado Tourism Office are also working to help manage the influx of recreationists in recent years. 

Earlier this year, the office released its 158-page Destination Stewardship Strategic Plan, a 10-year framework for state, regional and local officials — as well as community groups, tribes and landowners — to partner on tourism management and recreation sustainability initiatives. 

Land managers, public want more prioritization of infrastructure, like trails 

According to the Colorado Parks and Wildlife report, 1.2 million Coloradans — 20% of the state’s population — lack access to open space, parks, trails and water within a 10-minute walk from home. At the same time, just 1% of the population lives outside a 10-mile drive to any recreation opportunity. 

The largest gaps in recreation access are concentrated along the Eastern Plains. 

In surveys of state residents and public land managers, both groups said protecting existing infrastructure at recreation sites was a top priority. 

Sixty percent of respondents who were Colorado residents said they want land managers to prioritize operation of current outdoor areas and facilities. The top three amenities that users want prioritized and maintained were wildlife viewing areas, dirt or soft surface trails and paths and picnic areas for small and large groups.

For land managers, the vast majority — 87% — identified maintaining existing recreation infrastructure or resources as the highest priority for current management needs. Eighty-three percent identified maintaining existing trails as the highest trail-related priority. 

The top three priorities regarding new outdoor recreation included developing new trails or expanding existing trails, connecting to adjacent or regional trail systems and developing neighborhood, community or special-use parks or facilities, such as playgrounds. 

Most respondents — 79% — identified maintaining visitor safety and protection as the highest priority for visitor service. The issue ranked third in priorities in the previous two reports. 

Addressing climate change’s impact on outdoor recreation’s future 

The 242-page report dedicates one page to the impact of climate change on the state’s outdoor recreation economy. The section warns of threats to the ski industry, fishing and wildlife-related activities. 

“Colorado is warming, and our warming climate is already impacting recreation in our state,” the report reads. 

Over the last 130 years, Colorado warmed 2.9 degrees Fahrenheit and is expected to warm an additional 1-4 degrees by 2050, under a medium-low greenhouse gas emissions scenario. 

By 2050, an average year is likely to be as warm as the very warmest years on record through 2022, and by 2070, an average year is likely to be warmer than the warmest years through 2022, according to the report.

The report states Colorado’s declining snowpack, particularly at lower elevations, will lead to a shortened winter recreation period while expanding shoulder season recreation opportunities.

“Lower streamflows and warmer waters will force rafting outfitters in some areas to shift operations earlier in the year, and are leading to more voluntary or mandatory fishing closures to protect heat-stressed fish,” the report states. “Some areas in Colorado are already shifting to stocking more heat-tolerant fish, such as brown trout.”

The report adds that more frequent heat waves, particularly in the Front Range and Grand Junction areas, will likely increase pressure on mountain communities and parks with water resources and may drive greater recreation activity in the early morning and evening. 

“Wildfires can also cause area closures, smoke and resulting health impacts on the public, and post-fire flooding and landslides that disrupt transportation routes and aquatic ecosystems,” the report states. “Outdoor industries are already adapting to changing conditions and may increasingly need to modify operations and infrastructure as warming continues.”

The full Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan can be viewed at  CPW.State.co.us/plans-and-reports.