Durango Exhibit 24: City of Durango, Colorado: Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation Final Report

• Description: Durango RICD
• State: CO
• Basin: San Juan/Dolores
• Water Division: 7
• Date: 6/1/2006
• Author: RPI Consulting
• Title: Durango Exhibit 24: City of Durango, Colorado: Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation Final Report
• Water Supply Pro - Doc Type: Court Documents

R 1
City of Durango:
Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation
Final Report
2006
Figure 17.
Estimated Economic Benefits of Animas River Events - Existing'
User Day Range'
irect Expenditure
Range"
Total Economic Impact "
p g
Range"
Low High
Low High
Low
High
Participants
426 885
$ 88,608 $ 276,120
$ . 226,836
$
706,867
Estimated Total
Spectators 12 1250 4000
Visiting Spectators 13 250 1200
$ 40,250 $ 289,800
$ 103,040
$
741,888
Training Camps
45 250
$ 9,360 $ 60,375
$ 23,962
$
154,560
Total
$ 353,838
$
1,603,315
In addition to organized competitions and River festivals, the lower Animas hosts a number of
training camps for elite whitewater athletes. Again, average annual participants in these camps
have been conservatively estimated and their direct expenditures are modeled on per diem
expenditures as concluded in the 2005 Commercial River Use in Co %iado.
SECTION CONCLUSIONS
• The Animas River hosts at least two major events per year focused solely on
whitewater recreation. These events have a proven history of drawing significant
numbers of participants and spectators.
• The total beneficial value of participants at organized events likely ranges between
$226,836 and $700,000 +.
• The total beneficial value of spectators at organized events likely ranges between
$103,040 and $700,000 +.
• Training camps for elite whitewater athletes likely results in a total economic benefit of
$23,962 to $150,000 +.
• Total economic benefit of organized events, and training camps likely ranges from
$353,838 to over $1.6 million.
' All estimates annual totals
' The high and low estimates assume the presence of Animas River Days with 120 participants and one additional event. With the
low estimate adding the lowest participation rate of any (non animas River days event) in the 22 year event history. The high
participant range adds the highest participation rate (120) to animas River days. The low estimate assumes 2 day event (doubling
user days) the high estimate assumes 3 day event (trebling user days).
10 Direct expenditures are based on Colorado River Association daily expenditures (@ $104 per diem) as fees apply to the events and
the majority of competition participants are visitors. Visiting expenditures are not treated as commercial customers, rather direct
expenditures are based on Longwood's International 2000 Visitor Study with per diem expenditures @ $80.50.
11 Total economic impact is based on direct expenditures and the 2005 Colorado River Association 2.56 economic multiplier.
12 Spectator estimates based on periodic police estimates supplied (but undocumented) by John Brennan at significant events. Spectators,
generally, are not included in the economic impact analysis - only the estimated number of visiting spectators - see following footnote
13 Visiting spectators were conservatively estimated at 20% of total spectators for low range and 30% of total spectators at high range.
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