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<br />those same non-ENSO predictors remove the historical preference for EI Nino-related wetness in southeast <br />Colorado and Arizona. Therefore, the current experimental outlook is consistent with typical EI Nino <br />expectations for New Mexico only. Stay tuned for future updates on this evolving situation. <br /> <br />Impact Task Force Reports <br /> <br />Tourism ImDact Task Force <br />Stefanie M. Dalgar <br />Public Relations and Industry Specialist <br />Colorado Tourism OffICe <br /> <br />Reports from the following industries indicate: <br /> <br />State Parks: <br />· Visitation to Colorado State Parks was down 6% through August. <br />· Reservations were down 30%. <br />· Summer revenue was comparable to 2001 figures due to a fee increase that offset reduced visitation (but <br />well below budgeted projections which were based on a 2-3% growth and substantial revenue growth). <br /> <br />Golf Courses: <br />· City of Golden has severe restrictions that are affecting the gold courses, especially a new one that is in <br />the grow-in process. <br />· In Pueblo, courses can only water greens and tees twice a month beginning Oct. 1, 2002. That, combined <br />with a dry winter could mean a loss of courses. <br />· Some courses, like the City of Denver and City of Aurora, had mandatory water restrictions that have <br />negatively impacted some of their facilities. Other city courses voluntarily cut back anywhere from 10- <br />25% on their watering beginning in April and struggled through the summer, but with the rains in <br />September, are ok now. <br />· The big concern is for next spring. A big winter snowpack will help. Courses along the Front Range <br />need a nice, steady blanket of snow covering them for the entire winter providing necessary moisture <br />and cover from the wind, which can do major damage, particularly to the greens. <br />· If Colorado has an average winter, cities anticipate implementing water restrictions in March - this <br />would have a tremendous impact on golf courses. <br /> <br />Rafting: <br />· There are no firm figures at this time. <br />· It is estimated that the Arkansas River was off 40%. It was the busiest river and had the best sustained <br />season. It typically accounts for a little over half of all rafting in the state. <br />· With some rivers not even running this year, it's estimated the industry was off at least 50% statewide. <br />· The rafting industry ended its season early this year. <br />· The Arkansas River basically became un-runnable after Labor Day Weekend when fishery flow <br />augmentation was ended. <br /> <br />19 <br />