VAIL AND BEAVER CREEK LODGING HOLD STEADY DESPITE SLOWING COLORADO TOURISM GROWTH

Summer lodging occupancy across Eagle County’s major resort corridors is pacing slightly ahead of last year, offering a bright spot for the region even as broader Colorado tourism faces decelerating growth compared to national trends.

Data and studies released this week show that while regional wildfires have dampened mountain resort visitation across the West, destinations like Vail, Beaver Creek, and Avon are managing modest, single-digit occupancy gains.

Modest Gains in Non-Ski Months

According to Chris Romer, President and CEO of the Vail Valley Partnership, overall non-ski season lodging occupancy—spanning May through October—is up roughly 1% to 2% year-over-year.

“Occupancy is up a little bit over last July, like single digits over last July,” Romer said. “Vail is pacing stronger than Avon, Beaver Creek, but both are up.”

Monthly tracking highlights modest volatility following the past winter season, with July performance trending upward, August remaining essentially flat, and September showing minor positive trajectory. A recent regional report by Inntopia noted widespread lodging softening tied to wildfire activity across the Intermountain West, making Eagle County’s positive pacing an outlier among Colorado mountain destinations.

Bookings recorded in June for future months through December surged by 6.5% compared to the same period last year. However, local tourism leaders remain cautious about projecting winter performance this early in the cycle.

“When we are looking at the winter… I don’t give too much credence to the winter trends until we get to October,” Romer noted, adding that weather conditions and fall rainfall patterns will play a critical role. “It’s really pretty meaningless until we get to October, even into November with October data.”

Colorado Tourism Hits Record $29.2B, But State Pacing Lags Nation

The local resilience in the Vail Valley comes amid new statewide economic reporting from the Colorado Tourism Office (CTO). Annual research compiled by Dean Runyan Associates and Longwoods International Travel USA revealed that traveler spending in Colorado reached a record $29.2 billion in 2025, a 2% increase over $28.5 billion in 2024.

Despite the record total, Colorado's 2% growth rate trailed behind the national average, where U.S. tourism spending grew by more than 4% over the same period.

Statewide tourism metrics for 2025 showed:

• Total Visitation: Rose 1.4% to 96.8 million visitors (up from 95.4 million in 2024).

• Tax Revenue: Generated $1.91 billion in state and local taxes, a 1.9% increase.

• Employment Impact: Supported 187,860 jobs across Colorado (down 0.6%), while total worker earnings grew 1.6% to $10.5 billion.

State officials cited weather-related disruptions, heightened domestic competition, and federal policy uncertainties as headwinds contributing to the state’s decelerated trajectory.

"With over 96 million visitors, Colorado's tourism industry proved its resilience," said Eve Lieberman, Executive Director of the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. "These numbers demonstrate that Colorado remains a premier destination for travelers, and our focus remains on innovative strategies that enhance our unique visitor experience."