Animas-La Plata Operation, Maintenance, & Replacement Association Meeting Minutes 7/7/10

DRAFT Market Study Lake Nighthorse
MARKET SIZE AND CHARACTERISTICS
The central purpose of this section is to compile available information about the recreation
market, local population, and visitor population to estimate the size of the market for
recreational facilities at Lake Nighthorse. To establish a basis for creating consumer spending
models in subsequent studies about Lake Nighthorse, this portion of the study also includes
some basic demographic and economic profiles of recreation users.
RECREATION TRAVEL TOLERANCES
The travel distance between recreational facilities and regional recreationists is the primary
factor in estimating the geographic extent of the resident market for recreational facilities at
Lake Nighthorse. Colorado State Parks partnered with the University of Colorado to undertake
a 2007 scientific random - sample surveyz that measured a number of demographic and
recreation - related variables. Specifically, this survey provides data that allows for the
examination of drive tolerances for a broad range of recreational uses. The results show that
82% of recreationists drive 100 miles or less and the remaining 18% drive more than 100 miles
for weekend activities 3. The analysis leading to an estimate of user -days at Lake Nighthorse
assumes that drive tolerances define the level of use for areas in a region around a given
developed recreation facility.
Figure 5 - Drive Tolerances for Colorado Recreation Outings
40
■ <100 Miles
■ 1000 Miles
2 Survey of Colorado Recreation Trends, Issues, Needs; University of Colorado; Leads School of Business, 2007
3 This represents the drive tolerance on weekend outings, the highest level of travel tolerance. This is a
conservative basis for estimating the number of residents within the 100 -mile LNH market reach that spend user -
days at locations beyond the market reach.
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