AW Chosen as Advisor to Colorado's Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry

Despite the many challenges paddlers face preserving our beautiful, wild rivers, there are incredible moments to celebrate. And today we mark one!
 
AW’s Colorado River Director Nathan Fey has been tapped to serve on the Governor's Advisory Council of Colorado’s newly created Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. Colorado Governor John Hickenlooper appointed the very capable Luis Benitez as Director of the Office, a famed climber, Outward Boud Staffer, paddler, business leader, and Eagle, CO city councilman.
 
Benitez will lead the Office’s efforts to serve as a hub for the outdoor recreation industry, promoting it throughout the world and supporting the growth of Colorado businesses, eucation programs, and stewardship initiatives that provide the needs of paddlers, hikers, climbers, bicyclists and adventurers of all stripes.
 
“It’s clear that the outdoor industry is a very strong economic engine for the state, as well as a true community engine for the state,” he said. “So when you look at $13.2 billion in consumer spending and 120,000 direct Colorado jobs and $4.2 billion in salaries and wages, it really is about economic development. But that’s also what grows a healthy and prosperous community. So this is the state’s acknowledgement of how important that is to us as Coloradans.”
 
In the rural, mountain, communities where many of us paddle and explore, the outdoor recreation economy is a cornerstone of local prosperity, jobs, and industry.
 
Director Benitez actively selected the Advisory Council's members and said: “The reason the council is important is that all the different sectors in the industry and the community need to have a voice at the table. Rivers, river health, and the river economy is a definite driver in the outdoor industry, so it's key to have someone there from that community. And Nathan is such a great ambassador. I couldn’t think of anyone finer to represent the river community.”

American Whitewater and our partners in the outdoor recreation community, are all looking forward to supporting Director Benitez, and working on behalf of Colorado’s wild and beautiful rivers and the communities and economies that depend on them.