Outdoor recreation generates $28 billion in consumer spending a year and supports 229,000 jobs in Colorado, according to an analysis by a trade association for the outdoor industry.

Outdoor recreation also generates $9.7 million in wages and salaries as well as $2 billion in state and local tax revenue each year in Colorado, according to the Outdoor Industry Association.

All of those numbers are higher than what was reported for Colorado in 2012.

Based in Boulder, the OIA represents a total of more than 1,200 manufacturers, suppliers and retailers. The association completed an analysis of the economic effects of outdoor recreation in all 50 states as a followup to its national report.

“From Maine to California, consumers are spending more on outdoor recreation as millions of Americans depend on it for their livelihoods. Outdoor recreation is a powerful economic engine that contributes to businesses and healthy communities in each and every state and is a vital and sustainable sector that relies on investing in  and protecting America’s public lands and waters,” said Amy Roberts, executive director of the OIA.

According to the OIA analysis for Colorado, the outdoor recreation industry creates nearly four times as many direct jobs as the oil and natural gas and mining industries combined. An estimated 71 percent of Colorado residents engage in outdoor recreation each year and more likely to go hiking or camping than the average American.

Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for $887 billion in annual consumer spending and supports 7.6 million jobs. Annual spending for outdoor recreational pursuits tops that for education, motor vehicles and pharmaceuticals. And more Americans are employed as part of the outdoor recreation economy than the food and beverage, construction and computer technology sectors.

The national report also compares spending on various types of outdoor recreation and other activities. Americans spend $20 billion annually for gear for trail sports compared to $18 billion for home entertainment. They spend $14 billion annually on gear for water sports compared to $11 billion for movie tickets.

Locally, the Grand Valley Outdoor Recreation Coalition estimates outdoor recreation businesses and tourism contribute more than $300 million annually to the economy and account for more than 2,000 jobs.