National parks would take serious hit from sequester

Posted on February 26, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Top officials warn of negative impacts to gateway communities

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Colorado National Monument could be hit by federal budget cuts under the sequester.

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — Visits to national parks in the U.S. climbed to 282 million in 2012, up 3.8 million from the previous year, top federal officials said this week, highlighting the role of parks tourism as an economic engine as they released the results of an annual analysis that details the financial contribution of parks to local communities.

According to the report, most visitor spending supports jobs in lodging, food, and beverage service (63 percent) followed by recreation and entertainment (17 percent), other retail (11 percent), transportation and fuel (7 percent), and wholesale and manufacturing (2 percent).

But Interior Secretary Ken Salazar and NPS director Jon Jarvis said that role is threatened by looming budget cuts that would delay openings at some parks and possible even curtail access based on concerns about public safety. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, economy, national parks, public lands, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | 1 Comment »

Colorado: BLM defers touchy North Fork drilling leases

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

88,000 acres go on auction block next week

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A BLM map identifies areas up for oil and gas drilling leases, as well as areas where lease sales have been deferred.

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — The Bureau of Land Management will offer up another 90,000 acres of land in Colorado for oil and gas drilling next week, but the agency did defer sales of about 20,000 acres of controversial proposed leases in the North Fork area.

The BLM also deferred the leasing of several parcels along the entrance road to Dinosaur National Monument because the agency doesn’t have a current inventory of the area’s wilderness characteristics, according to Ellyne Bannon, of the Checks and Balances Project.

Details of the upcoming lease sale are at this BLM website. (more…)

Filed under: BLM, business, Colorado, energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling, public lands | Tagged: , , , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Global tourism continues steady growth

Posted on February 6, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Tourists take photos at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook in Marin County, California.

Tourists take photos at the Golden Gate Bridge overlook in Marin County, California. Bob Berwyn photo.

UN officials see tourism as an economic pillar

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Now that the World Tourism Organization has counted every last airline traveler, cruise passenger and backpacker, it’s official — international tourist arrivals grew by 4 percent in 2012 to surpass 1 billion for the first time ever, according to the latest update of the UNWTO World Tourism Barometer.

Emerging economies led the way, showing growth of 4.1 percent, compared to 3.6 percent growth among advanced economies, with Asia and the Pacific showing the strongest results. By region, Asia and the Pacific showed 7.1 percent growth. By sub-region, South-East Asia, North Africa (both at  plus 9 percent) and Central and Eastern Europe (plus 8 percent) topped the rankings.

Tourism officials say they expect growth to continue in 2013 at a slightly slower pace between 3 and 4 percent, continuing the trend from the last quarter of 2012, when demand was stronger than expected. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, economy, tourism, Travel, Uncategorized | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado’s outdoor industry reppin’ at Euro trade show

Posted on February 4, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Tourism, trade offices team up to create ‘Colorado Pavilion’ at ISPO in Munich, Germany

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Europe seen as important market for Colorado tourism and outdoor companies.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — Along with several companies that won state grants to display their products at a huge international sports and outdoor trade show in Munich, Germany, state tourism officials will also present information about Colorado to an international audience at ISPO this week.

Working with gear-makers like Icelantic Skis and Boo Bicycles, trade representatives will work with European-based representatives to staff a Colorado-themed booth at show, showcasing the state and its wares at a Colorado Pavilion.

Most of the companies are homegrown Colorado enterprises, and several of them produce their entire line right here in the state, said Stephanie Dybsky, with the Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

“No other state does something like this,” Dybsky said, explaining that the mission is part of Gov. John Hickenlooper’s efforts to grow Colorado exports to Europe. The outdoor industry was identified in a recent study as one of the sectors having huge potential in growing worldwide industry that isn’t as susceptible to economic ups and downs as some other types of businesses.

Currently, Colorado exports about $1.5 billion in commodities (not services) to Europe. That total dipped as low as $1 billion right after the 2008 recession after peaking at about $1.7 billion in 2008.

ISPO is primarily a business-to-business show, and the goal is to connect Colorado companies with new leads and potential distributors for their products.

Several of the companies included in the joint pavilion have already had success in the export market, including Icelantic Skis, which sells gear all over Europe, according to COO Annelise Loevlie.

Icelantic has also previously attended ISPO, helping to broaden European distribution through Switzerland, Austria and even Russia, Loevlie said.

ISPO Munich offers the latest products, trends and innovations from the entire outdoor sports industry. The show features more than 2,300 exhibitors to 80,000 visitors from over 100 countries. Featured sports include alpine skiing, camping, climbing, fishing, mountain biking, running and snowboarding.

The following companies will be represented in the Colorado Pavilion at ISPO Munich 2013:

•    Aluboo & Boo Bicycles, Fort Collins
•    Big Shot Bikes, Fort Collins
•    CandyGrind, Denver
•    Icelantic Skis, Denver
•    Kinderlift of Colorado, Denver
•    Mountain Shades, Wheat Ridge
•    Newton Running, Boulder
•    Obermeyer, Aspen
•    Phunkshun Wear, Denver
•    Sport Bumper, Denver
•    Tailwind Nutrition, Durango
•    Venture Snowboards, Silverton

You can follow the happening from the Colorado Pavilion in Munich on Twitter: @ColoradoITO.

Filed under: business, Colorado, economy | Tagged: , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Forest Service to address the tangled status of ski area water rights with a public process

Posted on January 28, 2013 by Bob Berwyn

Federal court ruling sends agency back to the drawing board

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The U.S. Forest Service will hold a public process to develop a new agency guideline for adminstering water rights at ski areas operating on public lands. Bob Berwyn photo.

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — After being rebuffed in federal court, the U.S. Forest Service will start anew at developing new water-rights language for ski area permits. The agency plans to start taking public input this spring on the new directive, which would clarify ownership of water rights on national forest lands.

The Forest Service most recently issued a new water rights directive in Dec. 2012, aiming to establish that certain water rights have to remain linked with the ski areas where the water is used to ensure the long-term sustainability of the resorts.

The ski industry interpreted at least parts of the new directive as a direct grab of water rights that are properly administered under state water law. A year-long lawsuit ended in Dec. 2012 with a court telling the Forest Service it must use a public process to develop a new directive.

“The agency’s announcement and the agency’s recent policy that was struck down in federal court both assume that water should run with the land. This approach reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of water law in the West,” said Geraldine Link,  public policy director for the National Ski Areas Association.

(more…)

Filed under: business, Colorado, economy, Environment, Summit County Colorado, US Forest Service, water, White River National Forest | Tagged: , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado: Governor requests spending increases for education, wildfire mitigation and fracking studies

Posted on January 25, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

Colorado Gov. John Hickenlooper.

State ranks near the bottom for per-pupil funding

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — As Colorado’s budget picture continues to brighten, Gov. John Hickenlooper this week requested budget amendments that would boost spending on education and allocate funds to study environmental impacts of energy development and for forest health work.

The 2013-2014 budget will be the first in several years that includes more spending on education and without any big cuts. Overall, the state’s general fund is expected grow by about $.5 billion, from 7.6 billion to $8.1 billion.

State budget officials said Hickenlooper’s request fulfills his intent to spend increased revenue on education, public health, safety and infrastructure. Specifically, spending on k-12 education would increase by $12.8 million, boosting per-student funding to $6,607 dollars, up $228 from last year.

Only a handful of states spend less per pupil than Colorado, including Arizona, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, North Carolina. See the rankings here. Top-ranked states like New York, Vermont and Connecticut spend about twice as much per student. (more…)

Filed under: Colorado, economy, energy, Environment, Forest health, forests, gas drilling, oil drilling, politics | Tagged: , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Colorado skier visits take another big hit

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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An early season snow drought dampened skier visits in Colorado. Bob Berwyn photo.

Ski resort trade group reports early season double-digit drop for the second year in a row

By Bob Berwyn

FRISCO — For the second year in a row, Colorado ski areas were hit hard by a lack of early season snow, as skier visits dipped 11.5 percent for the period spanning opening day to Dec. 31. Last winter, the state’s ski resort association reported that visits dropped 10 percent from the year before that.

Variable snow conditions and some late openings were factors in the decline, according to Colorado Ski Country USA president and CEO Melanie Mills.

“First period is largely fueled by in-state visitors, and an unseasonably warm October and November kept many Coloradans from tallying lots of ski days,” Mills said. “Snow did not arrive in earnest until mid-December, but when it came, it was in time for in-state and out-of-state guests to enjoy wonderful wintery holidays at resorts.” (more…)

Filed under: business, climate and weather, Colorado, Drought, Snow and weather | Tagged: , , , , , | 2 Comments »

Colorado: Fossil fuel industry seeks to block citizen comments at formal hearing on new oil and gas drilling rules

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
aerial view of oil and gas drilling near Colorado homes

Oil and gas drilling near schools and homes in Firestone, Colorado. Photo courtesy Shane Davis, Sierra Club, Rocky Mountain Chapter.

Industry says personal statements on impacts fall outside the evidentiary scope of the commission hearings

By Bob Berwyn

SUMMIT COUNTY — The battle over proposed new oil and gas drilling regulations in Colorado has intensified in advance of next week’s Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission hearings on new setback requirements for energy development.

Energy companies, represented by the Colorado Oil and Gas Association and the Colorado Petroleum Association, sought to block some citizen testimony, saying it’s irrelevant and non-scientific. The motions filed by the industry groups requests that some submitted testimony be stricken from the record because it’s “harassing and abusive” to the industry.

Read the citizen statements here. Read the industry’s motions here and here.

Conservation groups advocating for stronger environmental and health protections, specifically for more distance between drilling sites and residential areas, said the motions are insulting to citizens of Colorado.

“It’s undemocratic. It’s a bullying tactic. They want citizens to be worried about whether they’ll be allowed to speak,” said Mike Chiropolos, of Western Resource Advocates, adding that the current draft rule tilts too far toward industry interests. (more…)

Filed under: economy, energy, Environment, gas drilling, oil drilling | Tagged: , , , | Leave a Comment »

Wind energy production tax credit gets 1 year extension

Posted on January 4, 2013 by Bob Berwyn
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Wind turbines near Lamar, Colorado. Photo courtesy NREL.

Congressional vote may help prevent additional wind energy layoffs in Colorado

By Summit Voice

FRISCO — Surprisingly, and in part because of the persistence of Sen. Mark Udall (D-Colo.), the wind energy production tax credit made it through the federal budget fiasco, gaining approval for a one-year extension that could help protect Colorado’s burgeoning renewable energy industry.

After giving 27 speeches on the Senate floor in support of the tax credit, Udall said the extension  gives manufacturers in Colorado and throughout North America the signal they need to create jobs, make capital investments in the United States, and ensure that wind energy remains a strong part of our national energy strategy, although a one-year extension isn’t likely to spur significant long-term investments.

“The extension of the wind Production Tax Credit is excellent news for workers in Pueblo, Windsor, Brighton and across the country. Thanks to the PTC extension, I am confident the wind industry will be able to create jobs and help revitalize our American manufacturing sector,” Udall said. (more…)

Filed under: business, Colorado, energy, Environment, renewable energy | Tagged: , , , , , , , | Leave a Comment »

Tourism: 1 billion travelers take to the road in 2012

Posted on December 23, 2012 by Bob Berwyn

Travel continues to boost economies around the world

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Europe still accounts for more than half of the global tourism market, but Asia is catching up.

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — As expected, global tourism hit a significant milestone late this year, with more than 1 billion travelers taking to the skies, seas and highways to visit destinations near and far, according to the World Tourism Organization, which closely monitors world travel statistics.

Tourism growth continued in 2012 despite continued economic challenges. The WTO said the relative strength of sector underscores the economic importance of tourism, accounting for 9 percent of global GDP (direct, indirect and induced impact), one in every 12 jobs and up to 8 percent of the total exports of the world’s least developed countries.

“Today, we welcome the symbolic arrival of the one-billionth tourist” UNWTO Secretary-General, Taleb Rifai said Dec. 13 at a ceremony in Madrid.

Rifai emphasized travel and tourism as a potentially powerful force for good:

“Your actions count. That is our message to the one billion tourists. Through the right actions and choices, each tourist represents an opportunity for a fairer, more inclusive and more sustainable future,” he said.

As it is impossible to know exactly where the one-billionth tourist arrived, so many countries  celebrated the the occasion by welcoming tourists arriving on 13 December.

To coincide with the milestone, the WTO launched a new One Billion Tourists: One Billion Opportunities campaign, showing tourists that respecting local culture, preserving heritage or buying local goods when travelling can make a big difference. The public was asked to vote for the Travel Tip that would have the greatest benefit for the people and places they visit and to pledge to follow that tip when traveling.

The winning tip, revealed on the arrival date of the one-billionth tourist, was “buy local,” encouraging tourists to buy food and souvenirs locally, or hire local guides, to ensure their spending translates into jobs and income for host communities. A close second, “respect local culture,” calls on tourists to learn more about their destination’s traditions, or some words in the local language, before leaving home.

 

Filed under: business, Colorado, economy, Europe, tourism, Travel | Tagged: , , , | 3 Comments »

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