From The Pueblo Chieftain (Tracy Harmon):
According to Arkansas Headwaters Recreation Area Rationing Coordinator John Kreski, boating client use was up 2.56 percent over last year with a total of 262,122 people taking to the river on commercial rafting trips. A total of 254,431 clients rafted the river in 2009. “That’s good news,” said Bob Hamel of Cotopaxi, owner of Arkansas River Tours and president of Colorado River Outfitters Association. “That is what you would predict or hope for even in a good economy, so Colorado continues to hang in there.”
Hamel said he attributes the good numbers to several economic factors. He said shorter trips are still affordable for families, pricing has held for two to three years and discounts are available. The biggest jump in users came among anglers. Float fishing raft trips are a segment of the industry that bring in business during shoulder season months before and after the main rafting season of June, July and August.