Colorado Springs area leads state in winter hotel occupancy rates

A recent report shows that the hotel occupancy rate in the Colorado Springs area is increasing during the slower winter season while rates for much of the rest of the state are decreasing.

According to the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report, the area had its best January in 20 years by filling half of its hotel rooms last month.

The area’s hotel occupancy rate has risen five consecutive months, and overall is up from around 45 percent a year ago.

A 50 percent occupancy rate may not seem like much until you compare the area with the rest of the state. The report shows the rate is dropping in Denver, across much of northern Colorado and at many of the ski resorts.

The report shows the ski resorts, along with the Broadmoor Hotel and Cheyenne Mountain Resort in Colorado Springs, are in a separate category of resorts. The occupancy rate for that category decreased from 58 percent to 56.5 percent in January.

According to the report, the statewide rate dropped from around 61 percent to 59 percent in January and has decreased in three of the past four months.

Hotels in the area also are filling rooms at a higher price. The average cost of a room is around $86, up nearly 4 percent from a year ago.

Officials believe the occupancy gains are a result of more conventions and meetings scheduled this winter.

Chelsy Offutt of the Convention and Visitors Bureau said such success didn’t happen by accident.

“People don’t understand that,” she said. “Sometimes, when these meetings are coming here, they’re asking for destinations to put in a request for proposal five to six years ahead of time. So we have staff that garner those relationships and are in contact with those people in getting that business.”

Last weekend’s Galaxyfest sci-fi convention at the Antlers Hotel contributed to the hotel success. An estimated 6,000 registered for the event, which was a significant increase.

“It’s not just more meetings and conventions,” said Amy Champagne, the hotel’s group sales manager. “It’s also more family reunions and things you don’t expect to see in the winter. I think the low gas prices have a lot to do with it, too.”