In Colorado and across the country, outdoor industry leaders are celebrating a new milestone of success.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released data showing Americans playing outside spelled an output of $1.1 trillion, representing 2.2% of the nation’s GDP. The industry was responsible for nearly 4.98 million jobs, or 3.2% of the U.S. workforce, according to the sixth-of-its-kind report. It’s the first placing outdoor recreation in the trillion-dollar stratosphere.

The latest numbers were a record for Colorado as well. The analysis found outdoor recreation generated $13.9 billion in the state in 2022, up about 19% from the previous year. According to the data, the industry accounts for about 130,000 jobs in Colorado, or 4.3% of the state’s employees.

The director of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, Conor Hall, deemed the state industry “the largest it’s ever been.” In a statement, he credited state government’s support while recognizing challenges in cities and towns across the mountains.

“We will continue to champion destination stewardship, more equitable access to the outdoors, a healthy workforce that can live in the communities in which they work, and continued sustainable growth of the industry,” Hall said.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis report comes on the heels of what Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation saw as positive development in an annual participation study. The study estimated a record 168.1 million Americans got outside to recreate in 2022.

The national industry was pleased to report that participation base diversified in 2022, with more people of color reporting outdoor fun. The participation study found growth across almost all recognized activities, from camping and fishing to sport climbing and skateboarding.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison closures

Winter has arrived to a legendary landscape in Colorado, affording a unique escape on skis and snowshoes.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park has announced closing some roads and facilities for the season. That includes barring vehicles from the signature, scenic drive touring the top of the canyon: South Rim Drive.

In winter, the road becomes known as the South Rim Ski Trail.

“It becomes a peaceful paradise groomed specifically for skiers and snowshoers,” reads a page of the national park’s website. Without engines and exhaust fumes, the road “provides a more intimate and immersive backcountry experience for 6 miles,” the site reads.

That’s the one-way length of the trail from South Rim Visitor Center to several points overlooking the vertical, snow-draped mouth of the river-cut canyon.

When conditions allow, the trail has been groomed specifically for classic cross-country skiers in one lane, skate skiers in another and snowshoers and hikers in another.

Dogs are not allowed on the South Rim Ski Trail, and visitors should bring plenty of water, which is not available at the park during winter. Rangers remind of other essentials: Wool or synthetic layers and a hat and gloves. For conditions and more information, check the website or call 970-641-2337.