Local business owners struggling after Waldo Canyon Fire

Local business owners are expressing concerns over how slow business is after the Waldo Canyon fire.

Gwenn David is the owner of the Avenue Hotel Bed and Breakfast in Manitou Springs.

She said she is usually sold out of rooms this time of year, but this year she has been offering deep discounts just to get guests in the door.

Last year at this time, her hotel was at 98 percent occupancy, and this year it is at 36 percent.

According to David, many guests have cancelled their reservations out of fear that attractions have burned down or that smoke is thick in the area.

She said she’s frustrated because she hasn’t seen any smoke recently and she’s trying to salvage what’s left of the tourist season.

David said many other local business owners feel the same way and have been struggling.

In fact, she heard that at least 70 employees have been laid off at Manitou Springs businesses this summer.

Chelsy Murphy with the Colorado Springs Visitors Bureau said she has been hearing the same concerns about business being slow from many owners.

She said teams from several organizations plan on launching a messaging campaign next week.

Murphy pointed out that there are still some big events planned for the rest of the summer, including the Pikes Peak Hill Climb and the Pikes Peak or Bust Rodeo.

She said there is still hope that tourists will visit if they know that Colorado Springs is ready.

In the meantime, some small businesses that are struggling may be eligible to get help from their insurance companies.

KRDO NewsChannel 13 has posted a link for more information on that under our Links We Mentioned section.