COLORADO SPRINGS — Summer is peak tourism season in Colorado Springs and the Pikes Peak region, with plenty of scenic outdoor activities and great weather drawing visitors from throughout Colorado and beyond.
As may be obvious, Pikes Peak and Garden of the Gods are big drivers of the local tourism economy, but other activities such as the recent reopening of the Space Foundation Discovery Center and the Pioneer Museum, which reopens later this summer, are also expected to draw visitors.
It’s expected to be a busy summer with the opening of the Sunset Amphitheatre music venue and the upcoming opening of the Olympic and Paralympic Museum, which will host events during the Paris Games.
According to the local tourism authority, Colorado Springs Tourism, visitor numbers in 2021 and 2022 were higher than they were before the pandemic, and outdoor meccas like Colorado Springs have become even more popular destinations as many people have ventured outdoors during COVID quarantine.
Full-year data for 2023 is due to be released later this month.
“According to the most recent data, 24 million visitors spent $2.8 billion in the Pikes Peak region, and we expect similar numbers this year, or even a slight increase,” said Alexea Veneracion, director of public affairs for Visit COS.
One measure of tourism is the Lodging and Auto Rental Tax (LART), which is levied on rental cars and hotel stays, and recent data shows a significant increase.
According to Visit COS, LART is up 4.8% in April compared to April 2023. Also, year to date, taxes are up about 3% compared to a year ago.
The group counts day trippers from Denver, Pueblo and other areas, but also tracks visitors from out of state. Veneracion said many of the region’s tourists come from more populous states, such as California, Texas, Florida and New York.
Visit COS also expects upcoming events such as the Pikes Peak Pride Festival, Juneteenth, the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, the Pikes Peak Regional Airshow and the Paris Olympics to be major tourist draws this summer.
“We’re running a Paris Games campaign leading up to the Summer Olympic and Paralympic Games, which we’ll be doing in collaboration with the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum and the city of Colorado Springs,” Veneracion said, “so we’re targeting out-of-state visitors and wanting them to come visit our museum, our training center and our natural training areas this summer and throughout the year and celebrate being a U.S. Olympic City.”
While some drivers may have seen “Visit Albuquerque” signs near downtown recently, Veneracion said the campaign is focused on digital, online and social media, so don’t expect to see “Visit Colorado Springs” signs in neighboring states.
“It’s a public relations world, and while it’s hard to say exactly what will lead to increased visitation, we’re putting our campaign dollars where they’re needed,” she said. “I think a lot of it has to do with how we’ve adjusted and promoted Colorado Springs, and that’s helped get people to spend more money and stay longer.”
Email senior reporter Brett Forrest at brett.forrest@koaa.com. Follow FollowX and check out Brett Forrest News on Facebook.
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Pikes Peak 1-acre fire contained Sunday
The US Forest Service has announced a one acre fire near Manitou Reservoir. The plume of smoke that many of you have sent in was visible throughout Colorado Springs.
The Manitou Fire on Pikes Peak was contained Sunday afternoon
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