In Colorado and across the country, outdoor industry leaders are celebrating a new milestone of success.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis recently released data showing Americans playing outside spelled an output of $1.1 trillion, representing 2.2% of the nation’s GDP. The industry was responsible for nearly 4.98 million jobs, or 3.2% of the U.S. workforce, according to the sixth-of-its-kind report. It’s the first placing outdoor recreation in the trillion-dollar stratosphere.

The latest numbers were a record for Colorado as well. The analysis found outdoor recreation generated $13.9 billion in the state in 2022, up about 19% from the previous year. According to the data, the industry accounts for about 130,000 jobs in Colorado, or 4.3% of the state’s employees.

The director of Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office, Conor Hall, deemed the state industry “the largest it’s ever been.” In a statement, he credited state government’s support while recognizing challenges in cities and towns across the mountains.

“We will continue to champion destination stewardship, more equitable access to the outdoors, a healthy workforce that can live in the communities in which they work, and continued sustainable growth of the industry,” Hall said.

The Bureau of Economic Analysis report comes on the heels of what Outdoor Industry Association and Outdoor Foundation saw as positive development in an annual participation study. The study estimated a record 168.1 million Americans got outside to recreate in 2022.

The national industry was pleased to report that participation base diversified in 2022, with more people of color reporting outdoor fun. The participation study found growth across almost all recognized activities, from camping and fishing to sport climbing and skateboarding.

In a statement, Outdoor Industry Association President Kent Ebersole said the new economic report complemented that participation review.

“This new data demonstrates the strength of the outdoor recreation industry and our collective power to drive sustainable economic growth while protecting — and growing access to — the benefits of the outdoors for everyone,” Ebersole said.