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
City of Durango: Economic Impacts of Whitewater Recreation Fimm R.porl 2006
since 1988. The Lower Animas River is the second most highly used River by commercial
operators in the State of Colorado.
In conclusion, evidence at the National, State, and local levels strongly suggest that whitewater
recreation is an extremely strong and expanding industry.
MIGRATION CONSIDERATIONS
Finally, it is worth noting that migration is an important fundamental component of any economy
as base economics requires that new money, industry, and population be brought into any local
environment to fuel additional growth. Although Colorado specific data on migration preferences
is unavailable for this report, national trends indicate that recreational amenities are of key
importance - ranking above transportation concerns and other retail /public cultural amenities.
Continued steady migration into Colorado generally, and resort area communities specifically,
further suggests the importance of this component. Maintaining and developing key amenities
such as whitewater parks are a critical component of sustaining a locally growing economy.
Figure 6. Top Considerations for Migration
SECTION CONCLUSIONS
• Nationally, whitewater recreation participation is again on a steep increase after more
than doubling between 1996 and 2002.
• In Colorado, kayaking experienced a phenomenal 450% increase in participation over an
eight year period and rafting experienced a similar, although more modest, 77%
increase over the same time period.
• Commercial user days on the Lower Animas River have increased by 339% since 1988
- a five fold increase in 17 years.
• Recreational amenities are a "top ten" consideration for new migrants into local
communities.
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1.
Climate
2.
Economy (including job availability, cost of
i
living, and tax environment)
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3.
Housing (home prices and availability)
P
4.
Education (proximity to schools, class sizes,
o
spending per pupil, etc.)
R
T
5.
Health (health care, and environmental
A
quality)
N
6.
Crime
7.
Recreation (proximity to and variety of
VE
resources)
s.
Cultural amenities (restaurants, museums,
performances, etc)
9.
Transportation (commute time, proximity to
airports, train, etc.)
SECTION CONCLUSIONS
• Nationally, whitewater recreation participation is again on a steep increase after more
than doubling between 1996 and 2002.
• In Colorado, kayaking experienced a phenomenal 450% increase in participation over an
eight year period and rafting experienced a similar, although more modest, 77%
increase over the same time period.
• Commercial user days on the Lower Animas River have increased by 339% since 1988
- a five fold increase in 17 years.
• Recreational amenities are a "top ten" consideration for new migrants into local
communities.
ur3 coe.y,;oe r��r. 970.382.9153 7