Steamboat Springs Leads in Climate Preparedness Among Resort Towns

Survey finds Steamboat more prepared for climate change than many other resort towns

STEAMBOAT SPRINGS — Steamboat Springs City Council and Steamboat Springs Chamber partnered with Summit Economics to conduct a study (SEE FULL STUDY) aimed at measuring the impacts of climate change on the tourism industry and assessing how prepared Steamboat is for its future.

The Chamber sent a survey to all tourism-related Steamboat businesses — restaurants, retail, outdoor rental equipment and other businesses that attract visitors — and asked them what, if anything, they are currently doing to mitigate future impacts of climate change, particularly as it relates to precipitation and potentially shortening Steamboat’s ski season.

While Steamboat is heavily reliant on tourism, particularly in its winter season, Tom Binnings, a senior partner at Summit Economics, said the Yampa Valley is at an advantage due to its high elevation. He presented results from the survey during Tuesday night’s City Council work session