Upcoming Festivals and Iran War Truce May Boost Prospects
Trevor Phipps
Early summer has traditionally experienced a soaring number of tourists frequenting the Ute Pass region and the local high country.
Starting with Memorial Day weekend, out-of-town visitors often flood the area through Labor Day and even the early fall season.
But this year, that trend could change, with area tourism facing a bumpy road ahead due to national and international impacts and surging gas prices.
Last year, the region encountered a big decrease in international travelers across the board. But coming into this season, many industry officials expressed optimism that these numbers would improve.
But then the war in Iran struck and gas prices surged to one of their biggest increases recorded in recent history. Now, questions persist about what the summer and fall of 2026 will unfold for one of the most vital industries for the Pikes Peak region.
Gas prices climbed after the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28. Iran retaliated by shutting down the Strait of Hormuz, a development that crippled the world economy, since a heavy portion of oil is transported through this area.
President Donald Trump and other world leaders recently announced an agreement that would open the Strait of Hormuz back up for business and could end the conflict in Iran, a war that has prompted much opposition across the country and throughout Europe.
Gas prices started to drop, but many wonder if this trend will remain.
According to oil experts, it’s hard to say what will happen with gas prices over the summer season due to the volatility of the conflict. But one fact is certain: these prices will seriously impact the number of visitors that come to Colorado, the Pikes Peak region and ultimately, Teller County.
“One of the things that’s important to travel is gas prices,” Doug Price, president and CEO of Visit Colorado Springs (Visit COS) told KOAA News 5. “We’re probably a little too soon to be able to forecast the summer, but if gas prices continue to go up the way they have, that will have an impact on travel as well, with people probably wanting to stay a little closer to home and not making the longer road trips.”
Locally, Debbie Miller, the president of the Greater Woodland Park Chamber of Commerce, agreed that the traffic has been slightly lower so far compared to previous years. “I’m not seeing that backup from Safeway to Walmart,” Miller said. “Even when I went home on Friday, I didn’t see it. While I am seeing trailers, don’t get me wrong, what I’m not seeing are those gigantic drivable RVs and that is due to gas prices right there.”
And since Memorial Day weekend came earlier in 2026, like it does once every seven years, the weather was cooler. As a result, the area didn’t see as much traffic. Miller also said that Woodland Park’s lodging businesses have not been completely booked, compared to summers in the past.
Miller, however, did say that many people have been travelling to the National Forest parts of the region. “What we are not seeing are international travelers,” Miller said. “They’re not being seen down in (Colorado) Springs either. I think it has to do with tariffs. I think it has to do with some concern that if they come to this country, will they get to go home. I think that you are seeing international travelers go elsewhere. You look at some of the European countries and you see that they are just inundated.”
Slew of Special Events May Draw More Visitors
Miller did say it is still too early to predict what the summer tourism season will look like. There are many upcoming events over the next few weekends that are expected to bring large volumes of traffic up the mountain.
On the upside, the area is showcasing one of its most impressive displays of special events and festivals.
Miller said that now that the weather has warmed up, people will start to come up into the high country more. “Hopefully with the different events and especially since it is America’s 250th birthday and Colorado’s 150th birthday, our July 4th celebration, I think, will be amazing with the symphony that night,” Miller said. “And then to have the (America’s Mountain Festival) concert the next weekend, that’s double the amount of things going on. And then with Donkey Derby Days (this weekend in Cripple Creek), you got a lot of things to pull people up here.”
Moreover, there are signature events still to occur during the summer that take place in July, August and September. Events like the Mountain Arts Festival, Vino and Notes and the Salute to American Veterans Rally are all known to bring traffic up from the Front Range cities and other areas.
The Cruise Above the Clouds this year plans to put on a car show in Woodland Park and Cripple Creek. There is also at least one new event this year that will take place in September.
“There is a non-profit group that started Oktoberfest Above the Clouds,” Miller said. “This group will be putting on their Oktoberfest during the third weekend of September. And all of their profits will go to youth sports.”
Miller also said that due to high gas prices, the region won’t see as many out-of-state visitors traveling to our area. But on the other hand, she said the area may experience more traffic from Colorado Springs and other cities in the Front Range, as people plan shorter trips so that higher gas prices don’t impact them as much.
