Colorado Tourism Office Reports Record Visits In 2010

DENVER (AP) -- A new report estimates a record 55.1 million people visited Colorado last year, representing a 6.1 percent increase from 2009.

The study by the tourism research firm Longwoods International was commissioned by the Colorado Tourism Office and Denver's visitors bureau.

The survey-based report says Colorado had a record 28.9 million domestic overnight visits last year, including visits by Coloradans who spent the night somewhere other than home. Of the 28.9 million overnight visits, 3.5 million were for business.

The report estimates that the number of trips that weren't for business or visits to friends and relatives was a record 13.8 million.

Longwoods International found Denver alone had 12.7 million overnight trips last year. It says the city's top attractions included the 16th Street Mall and Cherry Creek shopping district.

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