Climbing, and outdoor recreation in general, has important (and often positive) impacts on local economies that are near destination climbing areas. Quantifying our economic impact as climbers can help us replicate these impacts across the country, and make sure recreation has positive impacts, even for those who aren’t outdoor recreationists themselves. Finally, economic impact studies like this one allow the AAC to communicate our political power to lawmakers when we are advocating for issues that matter to climbers.

Our Policy Director, Taylor Luneau, teamed up with leading researchers Dr. James Maples and Dr. Michael Bradley, who conduct economic impact studies and outdoor recreation research across the nation, to identify tangible impacts of ice climbers traveling to Ouray county. The AAC worked with Ouray Ice Park, Eastern Kentucky University, and The Center for Economic Development, Entrepreneurship, and Technology, to conduct this study. Dive in here, to explore this research that quantifies the economic impact of the 2020 Ouray Ice Festival on Ouray County.

Summary of Findings

This study examined the economic impact of the 2020 Ouray Ice Festival which occurred in Ouray, Colorado on January 23-26, 2020. In all, 5,000 persons participated in the event. Major findings of this study include:

1. Participants living outside Ouray County spent an estimated $808,359 in Ouray County while at the Ouray Ice Festival.

2. Participants living outside Ouray County generated $349,843 in labor income in Ouray County as a result of the Ouray Ice Festival.

3. Participants living outside Ouray County spent around $130 on day visits, while persons staying overnight spent an additional $96 on motels/hotels or $25 on cabin/AirBnB use.

4. Participants focused nearly all of their expenditures inside Ouray County rather than the surrounding area.