Carbondale Tourism Pays

A healthy tourism economy is built and supported by Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) such as Carbondale Tourism, the local volunteer tourism council that utilizes lodging tax collected by the Town of Carbondale to develop and manage tourism while providing visitor information on local businesses including Chamber of Commerce members, attractions, and events, as well as providing information on ways to be a responsible visitor.

Tourism is one of the largest industries in the State of Colorado and is the backbone of Carbondale’s local economy providing jobs and supporting the many small businesses in our community. Visitors stimulate the local economy and benefit hotels and lodges, meeting and event facilities, attractions, restaurants, arts organizations, cultural events, outdoor recreation industry businesses, transportation providers, local farmers and countless other businesses. 

Tourism also offers many benefits for Carbondale residents and improves quality of life for the community.

The economic benefits in numbers:

Source: Dean Runyan Associates, Colorado Travel Impacts 2000-2019; Longwoods International, Travel Year 2019

 

State Tourism Reports

In 1993, Colorado became the only state to eliminate its tourism marketing function, when it cut its $12 million promotion budget to zero. As a result, Colorado’s domestic market share plunged 30 percent within two years, representing a loss of over $1.4 billion in tourism revenue annually. Over time, the revenue loss increased to well over $2 billion yearly. To learn more about the importance of tourism marketing and the direct impact it has on Colorado’s economy, read this special report. PDF File and watch The Story of Colorado Tourism here.

Each year, Longwoods International conducts an overview of Colorado’s travel and tourism market and provides a detailed profile of the state’s visitors for each calendar year. To view annual Longwoods reports, click here

Dean Runyan Associates annual reports describe the economic impacts of travel to and through Colorado and each of its sixty-four counties, four tourism regions, and eleven districts. To view the most current report, click here

 

State-wide Industry Partners

Colorado Association of Destination Management Organizations (CADMO)

Carbondale Tourism is a member of CADMO, the state-wide association for all of Colorado’s destination marketing organizations (DMOs), representing more than 25 towns, cities and regions throughout Colorado, as well as thousands of businesses impacted by tourism.

Tourism Industry Association of Colorado (TIAC)

TIAC is a non-profit association of Colorado tourism-related organizations and associations uniting diverse segments of the industry into one unified voice. Membership includes restaurants, lodging, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), gaming industry, ski industry, outdoor and cultural attractions, river outfitters, campgrounds, and others. TIAC’s objectives are: to be the unifying voice of the Colorado tourism industry; to foster cooperation, communication, and education among tourism-related organizations; to enhance the general understanding of the economic value and contribution of the tourism industry; and, to establish and maintain effective governmental relationships and communications with the Colorado Legislature.

Take it all in.

Explore arts & culture

Cruise on a scenic drive

Where to chill out

Events & Activities

Mar 30
>“Where My Peeps At?” Scavenger Hunt
“Where My Peeps At?” Scavenger Hunt

7th Annual Where My Peeps At? Scavenger hunt.
Race: Where My Peeps At?
Teams: 2-6 people (Kids welcome but clu...

Click to Learn More
Apr 5
>First Friday — Spring into Wellness & Healing Hoof It 5K
First Friday — Spring into Wellness & Healing Hoof It 5K

Stroll Main Street in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District and take in a wide range of local arts and galleries, ...

Click to Learn More
Apr 24
>5 Point Film Festival
5 Point Film Festival

April 24-28 (Wed-Sun)

Every year, we come together as an outdoor-loving family to get inspired and motivated. Intim...

Click to Learn More
May 3
>Fireball Drop — Carbondale Rotary Club
Fireball Drop — Carbondale Rotary Club

Imagine 1,000 ping pong balls being dropped from a Fire Ladder truck onto targets at Sopris Park in downtown Carbondale! I...

Click to Learn More
May 3
>First Friday “Family Block Party” & Pride Parade
First Friday “Family Block Party” & Pride Parade

Come celebrate First Friday on May 3rd, 5-9pm. Stroll Main Street in the heart of Carbondale’s Creative District and enj...

Click to Learn More
May 11
>Dandelion Day
Dandelion Day

Annual Dandelion Day festival was started by Carbondale’s Environmental Board. Dandelion Day is a celebration of spring,...

Click to Learn More