Colorado Hotel Occupancy, Prices Rise To Record Levels

DENVER (AP) - The Denver Post reports a strengthening economy brought a record number of guests to Colorado hotels in 2014, pushing room rates higher than ever before.

The Post on Tuesday said Bob Benton of Robert S. Benton & Associates expects demand to continue to increase this year. According to the Rocky Mountain Lodging Report that Benton co-authored, Colorado hotels reached an average occupancy rate in 2014 of 68.3 percent. The statewide average room rate was $135, an increase of 6 percent from 2013. Metro Denver's room rates rose 8 percent to an average of $124.

Richard Scharf, president and CEO of Visit Denver, said that despite the rising prices, visitors still had plenty of lodging and cost options.

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