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

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City of Durango: Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation Final Rep, >n 2006 Figure 2. National Whttewater Recreationist Demographics Demographics Kayaking Rafting Male 71% 64% Female 29% 36% 16 -24 48% 43% 25 -34 16% 11% 35 -44 19% 22% 45+ 17% 24% Married 54% 44% Unmarried 46% 56% Have Children 35% 51% Household Income <$40,000 23% 26% $40,000 479,000 39% 36% >$80,000 38% 38% % of Total Participants in West 27% 34% Perhaps most importantly, well over 70% of kayakers and rafters have household incomes over $40,000 and more than .a third (38 %) earn household incomes in excess of $80,000 - making them capable and important consumers in virtually every marketplace. COLORADO TRENDS Periodically the State of Colorado undertakes a significant research and planning effort known as the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, or SCORP. This planning document combines extensive survey and trend research to determine Colorado resident and visitor recreation preferences. Rafting and Kayaking trends are specifically enumerated in the most recent (2003) version of the surveying /planning SCORP. Figure 3. Kayaking & Rafting State of Colorado Participant Increase 1995 -2003' 77% Increase soo ----- ._.. - -.. -. 400 300 450% Increase 200 too Kayaking Raffi g 1995 0 2003 Kayaking has experienced a 450% balloon in participation in Colorado while rafting has increased a more modest but still significant 77% between 1995 and 2003. Further evidence of expanding interest in whitewater recreation can be seen in the fairly dramatic increase of Commercial River Permits. Colorado commercial rafting permits grew by 48 Source: SCORP - NSRE 2000 -2003. Versions 1 -14, N= 1,011, Int dates: 7/99 to 3/03. Pt c it 1— 970.382.9153 5