Volleyball Tourney Brings Big Bucks To Denver

DENVER (CBS4) - A national volleyball tournament is bringing in big money to Denver. Thousands are in town this weekend spending money on hotels, food and entertainment.

Taking a vacation can add up.

"Just our cash spending in one day is close to $300," Tracy Frick said.

While it's taxing on the wallet, it's good for the city.

"Most people want to stay downtown, make it a vacation, park their car and forget about having to drive someplace," Kay Rogness with Colorado Crossroads said.

Colorado Crossroads, a national qualifying tournament for the USA Volleyball Junior National Championships, serves up the cash. Just this weekend 596 teams competed on 80 courts. Over two weekends the tournament brings in 25,000 people and 26,000 hotel room nights have been booked in the metro area.

"Our number of teams is up from last year and we're seeing this upsurge of people traveling with the teams," Rogness said.

One team of nine girls from New Mexico stayed at the Hyatt right across from the Colorado Convention Center.

Seventy percent of the athletes competing are from out of town. And when the young athletes have some little down time, surrounding businesses are sure to see a spike.

This weekend's tournament included athletes from the ages of 12 to 15. Next weekend 16 to 18 year olds will compete.