[cs_content][cs_section parallax=”false” style=”margin: 0px;padding: 0px 0px 45px;”][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][x_image type=”none” src=”https://ppora.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/Camping-Background.jpeg” alt=”” link=”false” href=”#” title=”” target=”” info=”none” info_place=”top” info_trigger=”hover” info_content=””][x_line style=”border-top-width: 1px;”][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text class=”cs-ta-right”]By Dave Leinweber[/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][cs_row inner_container=”true” marginless_columns=”false” style=”margin: 0px auto;padding: 0px;”][cs_column fade=”false” fade_animation=”in” fade_animation_offset=”45px” fade_duration=”750″ type=”1/1″ style=”padding: 0px;”][cs_text]The Gazette just reported:
Boom time in Colorado Springs: All signs point to a buoyant economy
Colorado Springs hotel occupancy at highest first-quarter rate since 1999

I have talked with members of the Pikes Peak Lodging Association that have stated that booking numbers for summer 2016 are far beyond 2015 numbers.

Many local retailers have reported YTD increase sales and the Colorado Springs City Sales Tax is reported to be up 4.7 percent from the same period a year ago to $19.8 million. That doesn’t include special taxes for public safety, trails, open space and parks that have generated another $5.29 million during the same period.

This looks to be an amazing year for the Pikes Peak region and Outdoor Recreation.

Below, just announce, Washington will now begin to track Outdoor Recreation in terms of the national GDP. This is great news to making our industry more than just a fun past time.

Don’t miss Small Business Week coming up May 2nd-6th. I have attended the last few years and each year it has gotten better and better. This is a great time to learn about your business and network with other businesses in the region. Make some time for this.

Finally, don’t miss Governor Hickenlooper and the Heritage Series presentation on Open Space and Trails coming May 13th at the Penrose House.

Wow, lots of great thing happening in Outdoor Recreation!

Get out while you can![/cs_text][/cs_column][/cs_row][/cs_section][/cs_content]