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Fish, game a moneymaker
Report: Wildlife lucrative for state
By Gary Gerhardt, Rocky Mountain News
May 8, 2004
**Link**
Hunting and fishing generates about $1.5 billion for Colorado, a new economic report says.
Todd Pickton, of the Denver-based BBC Research & Consulting firm, told state wildlife commissioners in Grand Junction Friday the figure didn't include up to $940 million that watching wildlife also may contribute to local economies.
"It's easier to figure how much hunting and fishing generates by surveying license holders and asking how much they spent on trips," Pickton said.
"But when people go hiking, camping or for other activities, and wildlife viewing is just a part of it, it's more difficult to break out how much directly goes into that activity itself."
In addition, the wildlife industry generates more than 20,000 jobs statewide, Pickton said.
It is comparable to Colorado's ski industry, which generated $2 billion to $2.5 billion in revenues in the 2001-2002 ski season and employed 30,890 workers.
"Two things are interesting about this study," said state Division of Wildlife spokesman Todd Malmsbury.
First is that the study was done in 2002, when wildfires were raging in Colorado and the drought caused a drop in the sale of fishing licenses, Malmsbury said.
"Secondly, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching isn't an industry that only contributes to select counties with good ski slopes in the state," he said.
Malmsbury said hunting and fishing makes up a much larger portion of the economy in rural communities. It contributes about 1 percent ($58 million) of Mesa County's economy and almost 4 percent ($26 million) of Moffat County's economy. In Denver, it contributes about 0.1 percent ($126 million).
The report concludes that hunting and fishing generates $800 million in direct revenue for the state and $700 million in indirect revenue, which is money spent for things such as transportation, lodging, food and equipment.
According to the report, the state fishing industry generated $460 million and hunting $340 million in direct revenues.
"This report supports what the DOW has known for years. Wildlife-related activities are important contributors to Colorado's economy and remain among the most popular pastimes statewide for residents and visitors," said Linda Sikorowski, of the DOW's policy and regulations section.
Fish, game a moneymaker
Report: Wildlife lucrative for state
By Gary Gerhardt, Rocky Mountain News
May 8, 2004
**Link**
Hunting and fishing generates about $1.5 billion for Colorado, a new economic report says.
Todd Pickton, of the Denver-based BBC Research & Consulting firm, told state wildlife commissioners in Grand Junction Friday the figure didn't include up to $940 million that watching wildlife also may contribute to local economies.
"It's easier to figure how much hunting and fishing generates by surveying license holders and asking how much they spent on trips," Pickton said.
"But when people go hiking, camping or for other activities, and wildlife viewing is just a part of it, it's more difficult to break out how much directly goes into that activity itself."
In addition, the wildlife industry generates more than 20,000 jobs statewide, Pickton said.
It is comparable to Colorado's ski industry, which generated $2 billion to $2.5 billion in revenues in the 2001-2002 ski season and employed 30,890 workers.
"Two things are interesting about this study," said state Division of Wildlife spokesman Todd Malmsbury.
First is that the study was done in 2002, when wildfires were raging in Colorado and the drought caused a drop in the sale of fishing licenses, Malmsbury said.
"Secondly, hunting, fishing and wildlife watching isn't an industry that only contributes to select counties with good ski slopes in the state," he said.
Malmsbury said hunting and fishing makes up a much larger portion of the economy in rural communities. It contributes about 1 percent ($58 million) of Mesa County's economy and almost 4 percent ($26 million) of Moffat County's economy. In Denver, it contributes about 0.1 percent ($126 million).
The report concludes that hunting and fishing generates $800 million in direct revenue for the state and $700 million in indirect revenue, which is money spent for things such as transportation, lodging, food and equipment.
According to the report, the state fishing industry generated $460 million and hunting $340 million in direct revenues.
"This report supports what the DOW has known for years. Wildlife-related activities are important contributors to Colorado's economy and remain among the most popular pastimes statewide for residents and visitors," said Linda Sikorowski, of the DOW's policy and regulations section.
