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Nine Counties Grow Travel Spending and Overnight Stays Through Statewide Stargazing Program

vibrant Milky Way Galaxy at night over lake with Colorado Experience the Night logo

The Challenge

Several counties in Colorado known for their night skies and incredible stargazing opportunities sought to increase visitors through astrotourism, but with so many moving pieces, they didn’t know where to start.

The Solution

Colorado Stargazing is a cooperative project between several counties. Our role is to manage financial contributions and develop and execute creative and marketing strategies, making communication between all participating counties key to the continued success of this project.

The program draws visitors out of busy metro areas and large mountain resorts and into rural Colorado, where visitors not only take in the wonders of Colorado’s dark skies but also book overnight stays and engage in daytime activities.

The Results

Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night reached millions of potential visitors in just nine months.

According to the 2022 Colorado Economic Impact of Travel Report, counties involved in this statewide program experienced consistent year-to-year growth in travel spending since the program’s launch (2019 – 2022).

Average time on webpage: 4:20
Click-through rate: 16.49%

Colorado Stargazing: Experience the Night - County Travel Spending Growth

35.1%

Alamosa

11.7%

Custer

34.5%

Gunnison

18.1%

Hinsdale

23.8%

Huerfano

15.3%

Ouray

12.3%

Mineral

35.7%

Montrose

23.4%

Saguache

Fill the gap in your DMO

Do you feel like there is not enough time or expertise for you and your staff to elevate your community tourism efforts to the next level?

Hiker on a large mountain in beaver county overlooking a sunset
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