Colorado Hunting and Fishing Drive Billions in Revenue

Outdoor recreation activities provide significant economic contributions across Colorado and local Mesa County businesses.

Updated on Oct. 19, 2026 in Hunting

Screen-print poster illustration of hiking boots and a fishing reel on a fence post, evoking Colorado outdoor recreation and tourism. — Hunting and fishing activities in Colorado generate more than $2.4 billion in direct annual revenue and support nearly 15,000 statewide jobs. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should your local community prioritize outdoor recreation tourism as a primary economic driver?

A September 2026 economic report highlights that hunting and fishing generate over $2.4 billion in direct annual business revenue across Colorado. These activities also support 14,766 direct jobs statewide, while broader economic impacts reach $6.1 billion.

Why it matters

Visitors travel to the Western Slope to access elk hunting and fishing opportunities not available in their home regions. This tourism creates a reliable revenue stream for local guides, retailers, and hospitality businesses.

Hunting and fishing support 14,766 direct jobs statewide and contributed $321.6 million directly to the Mesa County GDP in 2019. Grand Mesa contains approximately 300 lakes and reservoirs, with roughly one-third capable of sustaining trout.

The players

Jason McMillan

He is an outfitting business operator who holds permits in Game Management Unit 40.

Mesa Bloom Market

This local retailer sells fishing supplies, live bait, and everyday essentials to travelers along Colorado Highway 65.

Common Sense Institute

This research organization is responsible for releasing the economic impact study detailing statewide recreation figures.

The details

Local agricultural producers and retailers benefit from visitors purchasing services like lodging and dining along routes to public lands. Successful hunters further support the economy by hiring regional meat processors and taxidermists after their trips.

Economic data for the outdoor recreation study was collected in 2019.
Mesa Bloom Market opened for business in May 2020.
Jason McMillan took over his outfitting business in 2022.
The Common Sense Institute released the economic impact study in September 2026.

Culture Shift

The rise of outdoor-focused tourism reflects a broader movement toward regional economic reliance on public land accessibility. This trend emphasizes the transition of rural economies toward service-based models catering to specialized recreational enthusiasts.

Residents in the area may notice seasonal fluctuations in business activity and traffic as hunters and anglers travel to public lands. Local consumers also contribute to the tax base that supports infrastructure through purchases, including those subject to the 3.39 percent total sales tax in Grand Junction.

The takeaway

Outdoor recreation remains a vital component of the Western Slope economy by attracting out-of-state visitors to public lands. Local businesses that cater to specific recreational needs are essential hubs for supporting this ongoing tourism trend.