Coloradans’ love for the outdoors spells a big economic win for the state, according to a new study celebrated by industry leaders.

Said Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office director Conor Hall in a news release: “This research reaffirms what we know to be true: that the outdoor recreation economy is a significant force in Colorado and critical to our success.”

The research suggests that residents’ spending toward outdoor recreation amounted to $65.8 billion in economic output in 2023.

“This economic activity supports over 404,000 jobs in the state, which represents 12% of the entire labor force in Colorado and produces $22.2 billion in salaries and wages,” the report reads. “In addition, this output contributes $11.2 billion in local, state and federal tax revenue.”

The report was commissioned by Colorado Parks and Wildlife ahead of the agency’s Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan. That regularly updated document is meant to maintain the agency’s funding through the Land and Water Conservation Fund and other federal, state and private programs.

Surveys were conducted and previous data were analyzed by Southwick Associates in partnership with Colorado State University — work that represents updates to similar studies from 2015 and 2018.

The latest report took a closer look at regional trends and impacts among residents. Compared with the eastern plains and Western Slope, the Front Range population factored prominently in economic findings.

Front Range jobs linked to outdoor recreation, for example, were tallied at 217,448 — far outpacing those across the Western Slope (127,639) and eastern plains (33,006).

The report noted that the state’s outdoor recreation industry is larger than the sectors of construction, finance/insurance and education/healthcare/social assistance.

Total spending toward equipment and trip-related needs and wants, such as gas and food and drink, was tracked at $29.6 billion on the Front Range in 2023. That was more than estimated spending on the Western Slope and eastern plains combined.

Yet outdoor participation among residents was found to be greatest in western Colorado. The study found 67% of that region’s adults took part in outdoor recreation.