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Southwest Colorado hotels, railroad record stronger numbers

Tourism up near Durango one year after devastating 416 Fire.
Randy Babcock and his crew of more than 20 full-time employees keep the giant steam locomotives that pull the train cars along the vintage Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad.

DURANGO, Colo. — Hotels and a tourist railroad in southwest Colorado are reporting stronger numbers this season after a wildfire slowed tourism and spending last summer.

The Durango Herald reported Sunday that ridership on the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad is so far even with 2017 numbers.

Railroad spokesman Christian Robbins says the attraction aims to match or exceed the 193,000 riders recorded that year.

RELATED: Colorado railroad company faces multi-million dollar lawsuit for damages caused by 416 Fire

According to a Smith Travel Destination report, the 17 Durango hotels recorded more than 90% occupancy on July 4-6.

The report by the firm that tracks hospitality data shows the hotels had higher occupancy in late June than it had the previous year.

Mesa Verde National Park has recorded fewer visitors during the first half of this year, but it did see an uptick in June.

Information from: Durango Herald, http://www.durangoherald.com

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