As budget shortfalls cripple state and local governments, one solution for these financially challenging times is tourism. More than a century ago, Coloradans faced an even worse financial collapse: the silver crash of 1893. That abruptly ended the great mining and railroad boom, which saw Colorado grow from a few scattered mining camps and Hispanic hamlets into the second-largest state in the West with a population of 413,249 in 1890.
When the federal government stopped subsidizing silver in 1893, its price tumbled from over $1 to about 50 cents an ounce. This killed what was then the state’s leading industry, throwing thousands out of work as mines, smelters and mine-related businesses closed. For the first time since the 1860s, Colorado began losing population. In 1895, the city of Denver responded by creating the Festival of Mountain and Plain, which showcased local products and services and attempted to boost morale. Today’s A Taste of Colorado is a reincarnation of that festival.
The Denver & Rio Grande Railroad, which initially thrived by serving bonanza mining towns, rebranded itself as “The Scenic Line of the World” and began mining tourists. In a historical echo, train whistles have returned as railroad excursions are also emerging as a part of Colorado’s current courtship of tourists. The Colorado Historical Society’s just-restored steam engine No. 12 began operations May 1 on the Georgetown Loop railroad, a roller coaster ride that also attracted tourists after the 1893 and 1929 crashes. In the San Luis Valley, the new Rio Grande Scenic Railroad offers excursions from Alamosa to La Veta, Antonito and Del Norte.
To enhance visitation, Colorado has recently created a new Colorado Heritage Tourism Office funded by the Colorado Historical Society’s State Historical Fund and the Colorado Tourism Office. Colorado has transformed itself into a year- round tourist target.
The hospitality industry often does better in tough times than many enterprises, reports Rich Grant, director of communications for the Denver Convention and Visitors Bureau. “Conventions are like bonds in a down economy. While corporate travel can drop off when business is bad, conventions actually see increased numbers, because delegates come to sessions offering tips on how to deal with the economy.”
Tourism also can do well in a place like Colorado during economic downturns because residents forgo a cruise or a trip to Europe to vacation in their own state.
As Coloradans learned after the 1893 crash, hospitality can pick up economic slack, create jobs and bring in out-of-state dollars. Tourism is a cash cow as visitors spend money and pay sales taxes but do not usually need schools, health care, and many other expensive tax-supported services. Locals should also consider rubbernecking in the Centennial State, where no one has ever seen it all. Tourism remains a silver lining even in the stormiest of times.
Tom Noel and Debra Faulkner will discuss their new book, “Mile High Tourism,” at 6 p.m. on May 21 at the Denver Press Club, 1330 Glenarm Place.
