Tourism dollars down in Manitou Springs, parking may be to blame

Construction and parking woes in Manitou Springs continue to be a headache for visitors. Now business owners say they’re starting to feel the effects.

Tourism is one of Manitou Spring’s biggest form of income.

“It helps create the diversity of our community, people coming from all over the world,” said Manitou Springs Mayor Ken Jaray.

But looking at sales receipts shows the economic impacts some proprietors have faced.

“As a city, we’ve been down from June 2017 to June 2018 by 38 percent,” said shop owner Laura Hensley.

According to sales tax figures for the month of May, Manitou gift shops are down by about six percent — or $4,600 — from the same time last year. One theory is the road construction limiting the number of people who visit the city to shop.

“Losing 108 parking spots can be a kick in the butt for merchants,” Hensley said.

To fix the parking problem, the city has implemented free shuttles, which Hensley says have already boosted her sales.

“They have really helped,” she said.

But businesses aren’t the only ones who have suffered. The Manitou Springs Chamber of Commerce says they saw about 10,600 visitors last year but that number is down about six percent this year to about 9,900.

But even with the Cog Railway being closed, the city’s financial report shows the amusement category is up from $22,406 in 2017 to $23,877 in 2018.