Colorado
Economic Impact Study
2022
WineAmerica, the National Association of American Wineries in Washington, commissioned a 2022 National Economic Impact Study of the Wine Industry by John Dunham & Associates. The study shows that the Colorado wine industry generated nearly $4 billion for the American economy in 2022. Since all 50 states produce and consume wine, the study includes detailed data for each state. Below is the information for Colorado.
Colorado Wine Industry Highlights
Total
Output
The wine industry generates close to $3.91 billion in total economic activity in the state of Colorado, dramatically illustrating that wine is the ultimate value-added beverage. The broader economic impact flows throughout the state, generating business for firms seemingly unrelated to the wine industry. Real people, with real jobs, working in industries as varied as farming, banking, accounting, manufacturing, packaging, transportation, printing, and advertising depend on the wine industry for their livelihoods.
State
Reach
The Colorado wine industry includes a total of 145 wine producers¹ as well as 201 acres of vineyards.²
Job
Creation
The Colorado wine industry directly employs as many as 16,037 people, and generates an additional 5,037 jobs in supplier and ancillary industries which supply goods and services to the industry, and whose sales depend on the wine industry’s economic activity. Ultimately, 28,350 jobs are created and supported by the wine industry.
Wage
Generation
The Colorado wine industry provides good jobs, paying an average of $48,100 in annual wages and benefits. The total wages generated by direct, indirect, and induced economic activity driven by the wine industry are $1.36 billion.
Tourist
Activity
The Colorado wine industry is a major magnet for tourists and tourism-driven expenses. Colorado’s “wine country” regions generates 311700 tourist visits and $105.78 million in annual tourism expenditures, benefiting local economies and tax bases.
Tax
Revenue
The Colorado wine industry generates sizeable tax revenues on the local, state, and national levels. In 2022, the industry will pay nearly $125.54 million in state and local taxes, and $254.93 million in federal taxes for a total of $380.47 million. In addition, the industry generates approximately $17.98 million federal consumption taxes and $58.32 million in state consumption taxes which include excise and sales taxes.
1 – Throughout this study, the winery count refers to the number of winery facilities. A single winery may have multiple facilities throughout the state or country. Each of these facilities is included in the winery count.
2 – Vineyard acres refers only to independent farms not owned by wineries, which are counted under “Winery.”
