Research Freewrite

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My paper will examine whether Colorado outfitters, be they hunting, fishing, trail riding guides, or other similar enterprises catering to the public recreationists, are in decline or adapting to the modern needs of today’s outdoor enthusiasts.  Many local/rural residents became successful entrepreneurs by providing out-of-state visitors with the logistics needed to transport them to their respective destinations as well as acting as guides and offering their first-hand knowledge of the areas to further enhance the guests’ experiences.   However, in these modern times where outdoor sportsmen are more independent and in some cases very well read in their respective activities, the role of the outfitter isn’t easily identified.  Are Colorado’s guides now obsolete and is the trade becoming part of the past, or are they reorganizing to match the new landscape?   And what other changes in the state are impacting on the state’s private concessionaires? 

I intend to research information from government agencies, public and private enterprises as well as the sporting goods businesses.  The research will cover the changing demographics in user groups, shifts in attitudes and expectations of outdoor enthusiasts, accessibility to places for people to visit, and advances in technology and equipment.  I will also look at transitions in Colorado’s cultural and economic perspective as well as environmental changes and how they affect the private outdoor industry.

What I expect to be the most difficult in my research is being able to meet with different outfitting business owners since they are mainly rurally based and scattered across the state.  Also, I have to consider that this is the time of the year when most private operations are usually busiest with clients in the field.  The statistical information from the various government agencies will likely be rather dry reading but it should help me track the reshaping of user groups and the impact that places on outfitters.  From my initial inquiries I have not seen or heard of any studies put together on this subject so it should be rather interesting to discover what I come up with.