Outdoor Recreation Resources
Economic Impact Reports
Dolores River Basin Economic Impact Report: A Methodology for Developing an Economic Impact Assessment of Outdoor Recreation in Colorado (PDF)
Assessing the impact that outdoor recreation has at the community level can provide valuable insight into its current contributions to the economy as well as how outdoor recreation opportunities could be diversified and strengthened to support economic development. The framework described in this document, developed by CU Boulder MENV students in partnership with American Whitewater & the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry (OREC) Office, is intended to be used in communities across Colorado to assist them with developing an economic assessment of outdoor recreation in their region.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable Rural Economic Development Toolkit
Outdoor recreation offers opportunities for sustainable economic and community development across the United States. Through interviews with over 60 practitioners - including elected officials, land managers, economic development specialists and business leaders - the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable has developed this toolkit to help communities build outdoor recreation economies.
Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan Report (PDF)
Colorado’s 2019 to 2023 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan was developed in close collaboration with a wide range of partners to provide a shared vision for the future of Colorado’s outdoors.
Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account
The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released economic data for 2020 on outdoor recreation’s economic impact on the U.S. economy. These new numbers show outdoor recreation generated $689 billion in economic output and created 4.3 million jobs.
2017 Economic Contributions of Outdoor Recreation in Colorado Study (PDF)
This study was a regional and county-level analysis conducted by Southwick Associates for Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW). It was undertaken to quantify the economic contributions of outdoor recreation in Colorado in 2017.
2019 Recreation Counties Attracting New Residents and Higher Incomes Report (PDF)
This Headwaters Economics report evaluates the role recreation can play in attracting new residents and income to communities, and the effect this in-migration has on earnings per job and growth in earnings per job. Recreation, especially in non-metro places, draws new residents, higher incomes, and faster earnings growth than places without recreation.
Health and Wellness Reports
Colorado Outdoor Rx Report (PDF)
In 2018, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office released the Colorado Outdoor Rx Report report demonstrating current challenges and opportunities in Colorado and how partners can better plan and implement a strategy that promotes health improvement through the great outdoors.
Get Outdoors Employer Toolkit
The Get Outdoors Employer Toolkit promotes a healthier Colorado workforce through the creation of a health and business-focused wellness survey and collection of free resources for businesses.