Colorado’s rivers and streams are rising after a year of pandemic quarantine and social distancing, and the anticipation of rafters and kayakers is rising as well. But water resource experts
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Although last summer’s commercial rafting season was characterized as “among the most trying in the industry’s history,” Arkansas River outfitters fared surprisingly well despite the COVID pandemic which forced a late start.
It’s hard to imagine, but for some rafting company owners, COVID concerns did not decimate business last summer. In his 10 years at the helm of Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center, owner Brandon Slate has never been as busy as he was last summer despite the global pandemic.
“Last year (in the spring) phones were not ringing at all and we ended up having the busiest season since I’ve been running the company,” Slate said. “It was crazy.”
Arkansas River rafting outfitters are preparing for the “second surge” of business as the COVID pandemic loosens its grip on travelers and fully vaccinated boaters prepare to take to the great outdoors.
“This summer is going to be like the second surge,” said Rocky Mountain Outdoor Center Owner Brandon Slate. “Last summer was kind of the fearless people who came out and this year there is going to be another group that is vaccinated and feeling more comfortable, so now it is their turn to get out and vacation.”
Wilderness Aware Rafting Owner Brian Ellis agrees people are keen about getting back outdoors.
CANON CITY When its time to ditch the remote meetings and gather in person, one local rafting outfitter has a plan for getting people outdoors to reconnect with business associates, family and friends.
Andy Neinas, Echo Canyon River Expeditions owner, is ready to put the challenging year of 2020 behind him and focus on the upcoming summer season, which he hopes will be much closer to a coronavirus-free undertaking as vaccines are rolled out. To entice customers, he is unveiling the “Battle of the Bighorn” package which combines physical and mental challenges in a competitive and fun format all centered around rafting.