Driving the Economy: Report Highlights Golf’s Impact in Colorado

 

Jobs, conservation and environmental health each contribute to a robust showing for the game in Colorado.

By Anthony Cotton

A new report issued this week by the Colorado Golf Coalition paints a rosy picture on the state of the game here, saying golf had a direct financial impact of more than a billion dollars in 2019.

“The Colorado golf industry is committed to contributing to the economic and environmental health of the state,” said Fossil Trace Golf Club Head PGA Professional and President of the Colorado PGA Jim Hajek. “Golf is enjoyed by approximately 487,300 golfers in Colorado—this is roughly equivalent to the entire population of Colorado Springs plus a sold-out Ball Arena.”

The Colorado Golf Economic & Environmental Impact Report shows the industry generated more than an estimated $2.0 billion (direct, indirect, and induced) to the wider Colorado economy, with more than 19,400 jobs supported by the golf industry, $696.5 million in wage income, and more than $166.5 million in state and local taxes.

In addition, according to the coalition, the sport is at the forefront of conservation efforts here—the industry’s use of recycling and composting efforts contributed to a waste diversion rate of 55.6 percent in 2018, greater than reported 2018 figures for the State of Colorado and 2017 nationwide figures, which were 17.2 percent and 35.2 percent, respectively. The report indicated that Colorado golf facilities are also implementing energy reduction measures including 13 percent reporting onsite solar energy production and 22 percent using lithium-ion battery golf carts, with an additional 31 percent planning to add the carts in less than five years.

Golf courses also contributed approximately 33,061 acres of green infrastructure for wildlife habitat and improved quality of life.

The Colorado Golf Coalition is comprised of the Colorado Golf Association (CGA), Colorado Section of the PGA of America (PGA), Rocky Mountain Golf Course Superintendents Association (RMGCSA), and Mile-High Chapter of the Club Management Association of America (Mile-High CMAA). The report was done in collaboration with the National Golf Foundation and Radius Sports Group, a sustainability consulting firm focused on connecting sustainability and sports.

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Colorado AvidGolfer Magazine is the state’s leading resource for golf and the lifestyle that surrounds it. CAG publishes eight issues annually and delivers daily content via coloradoavidgolfer.com.

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