Colorado River Generating Money And Jobs

DENVER (AP) -- A new report estimates recreational activity along the Colorado River and its tributaries contributes about $17 billion in direct spending per year.

The report was commissioned by Protect the Flows, which represents small businesses like fishing guides and others who rely on the Colorado River basin in Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

The study was conducted by the economic research firm Southwick Associates. It estimates that business activity resulting from recreation focused on the river generates more than $1.6 billion in federal taxes annually and $1.6 billion in state and local tax revenues.

A 2006 study that Southwick conducted for the Outdoor Industry Foundation estimated outdoor recreation nationwide contributed $730 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

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