HUNTING AND FISHING GENERATE $1.5 BILLION, MORE THAN 20,000 JOBS

A new report commissioned by the Division of Wildlife (DOW) concludes that hunting and fishing generated some $1.5 billion in revenues and 20,200 jobs in 2002. That includes $800 million in direct revenues and $700 million in indirect revenues linked to secondary spending in communities around the state.

According to the report “Economic Impacts of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in Colorado,” the effects of wildlife-related activities are far-reaching, with virtually all of the state’s 64 counties reaping some benefits.

Wildlife watching continues to have a positive economic impact on Colorado tourism as well. Watching generated an estimated $560 million and had a total economic impact of $940 million in 2002.

The report, the first of its kind in seven years, was produced by the Denver-based BBC Research & Consulting. Economists based it on hunting and fishing license sales, DOW and other surveys, equipment sales, lodging information, and other direct and indirect expenditures associated with state wildlife-related activities.

View a graphic showing "How hunters and anglers spent their money in 2002."