Make Boulder leader of outdoors industry

Across the nation, Americans are adopting healthier, more active lifestyles. A recent study by The Outdoor Foundation, the not-for-profit arm of the Outdoor Industry Association, found that outdoor participation is on the rise.

In 2006, OIA produced the industry’s first economic impact study, which showed that active outdoor recreation – through activities such as hiking, paddling, hunting, fishing and wildlife viewing – contributes $10 billion annually to Colorado’s economy, drives $7.6 billion in retail sales and supports 107,000 jobs. Even through the recession, Americans sought refuge in the outdoors, as reflected in positive participation and sales data.

If you look back just 20 years, many of the outdoor brands we know and love today did not exist. Today, we truly have an outdoor industry, a highly diverse and competitive economic sector that is driving innovations in product development and sustainability. And more important, outdoor recreation touches every community in America, contributing to sustainable, domestic jobs and active, healthy Americans.

Quality of life and outdoor lifestyles are inextricably linked and increasingly drive economic trends around outdoor recreation, tourism, primary and second-home development, and business location. In every study or survey, Boulder consistently ranks in the top 10 nationally on ‘quality of life’ and ‘livability,’ much of which can be attributed to its mountain backdrop and vision to preserve the open spaces that are now the heart of Boulder’s world-class active outdoor lifestyle. Through an entirely organic process, Boulder has become the de facto home to outdoor companies, world-class athletes, outdoor enthusiasts and numerous national headquarters from OIA to Bikes Belong and the International Mountain Bike Association.

Boulder’s reputation for quality of life and this burgeoning outdoor industry have grown and prospered on essentially parallel paths. Yet in spite of our successes and potential synergies, Colorado as a state and Boulder as a community have yet to embrace and recognize the industry on par with others. If you look at either Colorado’s or Boulder’s list of key industry economic drivers, outdoor recreation is nowhere on the list. It is time for this to change.

Cities like Portland, Oregon and Ogden, Utah are seeing a future that embraces the positive economics that surround outdoor recreation and are offering incentives to recruit and keep outdoor brands to fulfill that vision. These communities are actively seeking to be worldwide leaders in outdoor recreation – a reputation that Boulder has arguably held.

California has its Silicon Valley. North Carolina has the Research Triangle. Through strategic partnerships and investments, Boulder can become the global center for outdoor recreation, building upon the hundreds of outdoor-related businesses located in Boulder.

So how do we get there? First, we need to strengthen communications and collaboration between Boulder’s loosely organized outdoor companies to clearly define our industry’s needs. The Active Boulder group has begun this process, but there is more work to be done and we could use help from local leadership. We also need to foster better lines of communication with local economic leaders to share these needs and identify solutions to the challenges that limit our industry’s potential and ease of doing business.

Across the U.S. and particularly in the West, public lands and waters – from open space trails to remote wilderness – provide both a broad spectrum and a high percentage of outdoor recreation opportunities. However, the need to reduce the federal debt and limit government spending at all levels threatens the very infrastructure upon which outdoor activities and economies are based. Boulder provides a living laboratory on the development and management of accessible, affordable, sustainable recreation infrastructure and opportunities.

The outdoor recreation economy also needs to be recognized, monitored and prioritized as a critical industry to support decisions about Boulder’s future. OIA is seeking to partner with Boulder’s leadership and the University of Colorado to tackle this critical component. And lastly, the community needs to act upon the findings with strategic outreach, informed policies and, in some cases, dedicated investments. Along the entire journey we need to promote and celebrate our industry within the community.

Our nation’s public lands and outdoor brands are the envy of the world. Let’s take advantage of our thought leadership, academic institutions, public lands and vibrant outdoor industry to build a new future for Boulder together.

Frank Hugelmeyer is president and chief executive of the Outdoor Industry Association based in Boulder. He can be reached at 303-327-3501 or email fhugelmeyer@outdoorindustry.org.

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