Report: Cheyenne Frontier Days Added $50 Million To Local Economy In 2024

Cheyenne Frontier Days is fast approaching, starting on Friday.

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For some people that means fast-paced rodeo action and big name entertainers. For others it means swarms of people and streets jammed with out-of-town motorists who can make driving in the city an adventure.

But for many local businesses, it means dollar signs. Lots of them.

How many?

About 50.4 million in 2024, according to a report issued earlier this year by CFD.

Among the findings from that report:

2024 Economic impacts of visitors who reside outside of Laramie County

• Visitors to Cheyenne Frontier Days spent $50.4 million in Laramie County.
• Visitor Spending:
  • $8.8 million on food and beverages in restaurants and bars
  • $11 million on overnight accommodations
  • $16.4 million on entertainment and recreation, including ticket sales
  • $14.3 million on retail purchases, including motor fuel and groceries.

• Other direct economic impacts:
  • Approximately 660 full- and part-time jobs
  • $17.6 million in earnings (wage and salary disbursements)
  • $900,00 in local tax revenue
  • $1.7 million in state tax revenue

2024 Profile of Cheyenne Frontier Days Attendees

• The majority of Cheyenne Frontier Days attendees participated in a Frontier Nights/Concert (61%) or the Rodeo (75%) and (36%) attended both.
• A large portion (64%) attended Cheyenne Frontier Days during a previous year.
• Attending Cheyenne Frontier Days was the primary purpose for travel to Laramie County for the vast majority of overnight (71%) and day (93%) visitors.
• Two-thirds (67%) of Cheyenne Frontier Days attendees stayed overnight while traveling.
• Among overnight visitors, over half (63%) stayed in a hotel, motel, lodge, or short-term rental. The remainder stayed in private homes with friends and relatives or in campgrounds.
• Cheyenne Frontier Days attendees traveled to or through a number of Wyoming communities and places including Laramie, Casper, Yellowstone National Park, Jackson Hole, Snowy Range, and Cody.

The report says about 550,000 people attended CFD events last year, with 263,640 tickets being sold.. The $50.4 million is up from an estimated $40.3 million impact on the Laramie County economy in 2021.