The combination of Colorado’s recent late-season snowfall with even more moisture predicted for this week is giving the state’s rafting industry high hopes for a successful season. With April’s snow boosting snowpack across the state and delaying the start of seasonal runoff, the Colorado River Outfitters Association (CROA) is predicting a normal start to this year’s rafting season, which typically runs mid-May through mid-September.
According to CROA’s 2014 Economic Impact Report, Colorado’s rafting industry had a more than $160 million economic impact on the state’s tourism industry in 2014.
Colorado’s latest snows mean that the snowpack is approaching normal levels in many river drainages. While snowpack is not the only variable in determining water flow levels across the state, it is a good indicator for a healthy and strong rafting season.
Commercial river outfitters across the state will begin running the rapids on May 15.
The Colorado River Outfitters Association (CROA) is a trade association representing more than 50 licensed professional whitewater rafting outfitters across the state of Colorado. CROA’s mission is to: (1) promote Colorado as the premier river rafting destination in the United States, (2) support members’ efforts to attract visitors to Colorado and (3) provide a reasoned voice on industry developments and matters of policy affecting commercial boating and Colorado’s tourism economy as a whole.
