current colorado tourism and lodging trends

 Overall Visitor Volume (2024)

Colorado recorded 95.4 million total visitors in 2024, up about 2.3% from 2023. 

Total visitor spending hit $28.5 billion in 2024. hotelagio.com+1

So the overall base tourism numbers were still growing in 2024, particularly from domestic travelers.

Signs of Slowing or Decline in 2025

However, multiple recent 2025 data points indicate a possible cooldown or decline in key tourism indicators:

Hotel occupancy across Colorado was down about 2% year to date in 2025, and hotel revenues were down 2.7%.

Short term rental occupancy fell 10% in Q1 2025 compared to the prior year. OEDIT+1 

Some mountain resort areas (major drivers of Colorado tourism) are reporting a slump in summer visitor numbers, partly due to lower international travel and shifting patterns. The Colorado Sun+1

Broader data suggests Colorado may be experiencing one of the first tourism slowdowns since before the pandemic, with prior record setting growth slowing in 2025. rockymountainvoice.com 

International visitation especially to mountain towns has dropped sharply (e.g., European visitor numbers down 39% in parts of western Colorado). KUNC

What This Mixed Picture Means

Positive Baseline

Colorado remains a major tourism destination with tens of millions of visitors and nearly $30B in annual spending. hotelagio.com

Short-Term Headwinds

Mid-2025 data shows:

falling occupancy

softening rental bookings

weaker international travel

slowing growth after a long period of annual increases

This creates pressure on hotels to:

retain more revenue per guest

increase guest spend

differentiate from competitors

How E-Bike Rentals Can Help Colorado Hotels Right Now

1. Offset Downward Tourist Metrics

With hotel occupancy and revenue down in 2025, adding a new revenue stream helps:

recover lost income

make each visitor more valuable

create revenue independent of occupancy rate

2. Capture Local & Day Trip Visitors

While international travel may be down, Colorado still draws strong domestic visitation especially outdoor enthusiasts. E-bikes tap directly into that outdoor adventure mindset.

3. Leverage Outdoor Recreation Trends

Colorado visitors come for mountains, trails, bike paths, and active lifestyles not just ski slopes. E-bikes extend stay experiences, driving spending on property and in community.

4. Add Revenue Without Increasing Costs

Our model lets hotels earn $4,000–$5,000+ per bike per season with our revenue share and on a slower tourism year incremental revenue that doesn’t come from room sales alone.

5. Differentiate During a Soft Market

If occupancy and booking pace are soft, providing a unique amenity improves:

guest satisfaction

repeat stays 

cross selling of F&B, spa, and retail

6. Stabilize Revenue Through Diversification

Tourism can be seasonal or volatile. Rentals smooth revenue across peaks and valleys and retain guest spend even when nights booked plateau.

“Even as hotel occupancy and bookings soften in 2025, adding an e-bike rental program creates a new, low risk revenue stream that captures outdoor oriented guests and boosts total guest spend without adding staff or inventory risk.”

How Colorado Hotels Can Offset Softening Tourism Revenue in 2025

A No Cost Amenity That Turns Outdoor Demand Into Incremental Income

The Current Reality in Colorado

Colorado remains a top travel destination but 2025 is showing signs of softness:

Hotel occupancy is down 2% year to date 

Hotel revenue (RevPAR) down 2–3%

Short-term rental occupancy down 10% in early 2025

International visitation decline in key mountain and resort markets

Translation for hotels:

Even a small dip in occupancy creates real pressure on margins.

The Problem Hotels Are Facing when bookings slow, hotels must:

Generate more revenue per guest , add new income streams not tied to room nights.

Differentiate without adding labor or capital costs.

Traditional fixes discounting rooms, upselling spa or dining compress margins further. (SO THAT IS NOT  AN OPTION)

The Opportunity: E-Bike Rentals

E-bikes sit at the intersection of:

Outdoor recreation (Colorado’s #1 travel driver)

Sustainability

Experiential travel

Guest mobility

And the industry numbers support it:

E-bike rental market growing 15–17% CAGR

Broader e-bike market projected to exceed $110B+ by early 2030s

Guests increasingly expect active, on-demand experiences at resorts and destination hotels

This demand exists even when room bookings are softened.

(JUST AN EXAMPLE) we recommended 10 bikes 

What This Means Financially for a Colorado Hotel

Conservative, Real-World Example:

10 e-bikes

$99.95 per rental for single E-bike

$149.95 per rental for double person E-Bike 

50% utilization

6-month season 

 hotel revenue share

➡$45,000.00 and up in seasonal hotel revenue. Hotel EBike Rentals can not guarantee income. This is only an est. with selling trends and industry standards of the rental industry rental projections.

➡No upfront cost. Very limited to no staff. No operational burden.

Even in a down tourism year, this is meaningful incremental income.

Why This Works Especially Well in a Softer Market

1. Revenue Not Tied to Occupancy:

Guests who come spend more even if total bookings are flat.

2. No Discounting Required:

Unlike rooms, e-bike pricing holds firm even in slower periods.

3. Zero Payroll Impact:

No front desk involvement. No scheduling. No training.

4. Captures Colorado’s Core Visitor:

Outdoor oriented travelers are most likely to rent e-bikes.

5. Improves Guest Experience & Reviews:

More activities equals better stays equals stronger repeat visitation.

6. Helps Offset Lost Revenue:

One 10-bike setup can cover the revenue gap of dozens of lost room nights.

Bottom Line for Colorado Hotels

As tourism normalizes after record highs, hotels that add alternative revenue streams will outperform those that rely solely on room nights.

E-bike rentals are:

High growth

Low risk

High margin

Perfectly aligned with Colorado travel behavior