Sitting around the hot tub, I kept hearing the twang of a southern drawl. “How was ya’ll’s ski day?”
“Where’d ya’ll have dinner tonight?”
After a day of skiing and riding the chairlifts, I wasn’t surprised. I’m a pretty friendly person, so I frequently ask people where they are from as I’m out skiing for the day. Although, after looking at their skis, it’s pretty evident they are from out of state. When you see a sticker on the tip of the ski that has “Steve” written in with Sharpie above WP Ski Rentals, you’re pretty sure they are not local. And if it happens to be the second, third or fourth week in March, it’s almost a certainty they are from somewhere in Texas, the height of Texas spring breaks for the schools. The final giveaway of their Great State heritage is when I get ma’amed.
“Are you visiting for spring break?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Only the polite and courteous young men from Texas ma’am you. Not to say that I mind, as courtesy and respect seem to be a lost form of etiquette amongst the college and high school crowds these days.
After meeting so many people from Texas on the ski slopes this past week, it got me thinking? Just how much tourism revenue does Colorado make off of the fine citizens of Texas? And why did so many Texans choose to vacation in Colorado? Because having spent several summers working for Rocky Mountain National Park, I knew that the influx of Texans wasn’t just in wintertime, but also all summer and autumn long.
Well, I can’t say definitively how much money exactly Colorado makes off Texas, but I can tell you that the last couple of years, Colorado tourism numbers have been record-setting. In 2014, revenue from tourism topped the 18 billion dollar mark for the first time. And tourists from Texas and Florida led the way of those who visiting our fair state. Colorado leads all states as the number one destination for overnight ski trips. And tourism is directly responsible for more than 150,000 jobs in the state, and I am no exception, working for the ski industry.
Now to the why? As you might guess, many have surmised that the surge in tourism is coinciding with a surge in a particular commodity that was legalized in Colorado in 2013 — marijuana. And while it’s true that some have indicated the availability of pot attracts them — 16% said they were more likely to visit — it is in fact a double-edged sword. Just as many said the sale of weed made them less likely to visit Colorado. And just remember, you can’t take it home with you on the airplane.
One thing I can say for sure, is that Texas tourists are a huge part of Colorado’s economy, and I’m fairly certain it’s not being reciprocated. In all my conversations with friends and coworkers, not once did anyone mention planning a destination vacation to the Alamo state. But I know a big part of my continued employment working for a ski resort and for the parks is generated by our friends from Texas, so keep ’em coming…
