The Land and People Lab
The Economic Benefits of Parks and Recreation in Colorado Springs
Trust for Public Land (TPL) worked with Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services to estimate the economic benefits of the parks, trails, and recreation facilities they maintain. This report updates the 2017 TPL analysis in Colorado Springs, which estimated significant economic benefits to the city’s residents, visitors, and business community.
The 2025 report highlights the current benefits that the city provides, from economic development benefits like property value increases and job creation to ecosystem services like water quality improvements and air pollution reduction.
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Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services provides significant recreation opportunities, often at low- or no-cost to residents. Colorado Springs residents receive economic benefits in the form of cost savings: by having access to parks, trails, and recreational facilities, they can reduce travel times or avoid paying private entities to participate in outdoor recreation or fitness classes. Residents receive an annual benefit of $91.2 million for the recreational use of parks, trails, and recreational facilities provided by Colorado Springs.
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The results of a telephone survey conducted by TPL found that Colorado Springs residents visited parks, trails, and recreational facilities 22.5 million times in 2024.
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The parks, trails, and recreational facilities in Colorado Springs are essential to the local tourism economy. The city is home to world-famous parks like Pikes Peak – America’s Mountain and Garden of the Gods, which see millions of visitors each year. TPL estimated that in 2023, $192.9 million in direct travel spending and $17.3 in local and state tax receipts can be attributed to the parks, trails, and recreational facilities in the Colorado springs region.
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Outdoor recreation generates resident spending, as people purchase gear to use for activities like hiking, cycling, and climbing. TPL found that Colorado Springs residents spend $193 million annually on sports, recreation, and exercise equipment (including online sales). Spending at the 97 sports, recreation, and equipment stores in Colorado Springs (both by residents and visitors) supports an estimated 1,143 employees and generates $130.3 million in sales each year.
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Parks, trails, and open spaces increase the value of nearby homes, as people are willing to pay more to live near high quality green space. Parks in Colorado Springs raise the value of nearby homes by $1.1 billion and increase property tax revenues by $3.8 million a year.
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Having nearby access to parks and trails increases people’s physical activity, which leads to annual healthcare cost savings. In a telephone survey of residents, TPL found that 43,600 residents over 18 years old use the city’s parks, trails, and recreation facilities at a level sufficient to generate measurable health benefits. The annual healthcare cost savings to Colorado Springs residents is valued at $73.7 million.
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Parks and open space absorb and slow stormwater runoff, reducing the pollutants reaching waterways and improving their water quality. The value of stormwater infiltration due to parks and open spaces in Colorado Springs is $10.5 million per year.
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Trees and vegetation in parks absorb air pollution that has negative impacts on public health. Colorado Springs’ green spaces provide $142,000 each year in air pollution removal value.
How Can We Help?
For more information about working with Trust for Public Land to grow your trail system, contact us here.
