Colorado governor John Hickenlooper announced the creation of the state鈥檚 first office for outdoor recreation last week. The Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office will operate within the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade, .
The Outdoor Industry Association聽 that the outdoor recreation industry brings in $13 billion annually in consumer spending and generates $4.2 billion in salaries and wages per year.
Eagle, Colorado聽resident Luis Guillermo Benitez will be the office鈥檚 director. A six-time Everest climber, professional guide, and former executive at Vail Resorts, Benitez will help grow the office into a statewide advocacy, resource, and support organization for companies in the outdoor recreation industry, .
鈥淐olorado is in a strong position to lead the outdoor recreation industry on many levels,鈥 Benitez said in the press release. 鈥淎nd this office will be the start of creating, not only the collective voice for the outdoor community in our state, but also starting to craft the collaborative vision for the future of the outdoor recreation industry in Colorado.鈥