NAICS 72

Accommodation and Food Services in Colorado: 2026 Market Risk Report

Entry risk 46.9 (Elevated), ranked #41 of 51 states. 15,026 establishments, 288,906 jobs.

Entry Risk Assessment

Entry Risk Score 46.9
Low 0-30
Moderate 30-42
Elevated 42-55
High 55+
Elevated

ⓘ Lower is better. Relative to national accommodation and food services average.

📈Growth Opportunity

Colorado ranks top 10 in growth momentum while maintaining relatively low market saturation (bottom half). This combination signals an underpenetrated market with expanding demand.

5-Year Firm Retention
21.6%
Percentile within industry
Rank #41 of 51 states
Growth Momentum
↑ 61.2
Scale of 0-100
Rank #10 of 51 states
Establishment Density
28.9
vs. national average
Rank #35 of 51 states
Market Volatility
28.3
Lower is more stable
Wage Pressure Index
24.0
Labor cost pressure

15,026 Establishments in Colorado

15,026
Establishments
-1.7% YoY
288,906
Total Employment
-0.3% YoY
$33,765
Average Annual Wage
+3.2% YoY

Colorado vs National Accommodation and Food Services Average

How Colorado's accommodation and food services market compares to the national average across all 51 states.

Metric CO National Difference
Entry Risk Score 46.9 40.0 +6.9
5-Year Retention 21.6% 51.0% -29.4
Growth Momentum 61.2 41.1 +20.1
Market Volatility 28.3 23.9 +4.4
Establishment Density 28.9 27.0 +1.9
Wage Pressure 24.0 33.4 -9.4

Green = favorable vs national average. Red = less favorable. Metrics are relative within accommodation and food services only.

Colorado Ranks #41 of 51 for Accommodation and Food Services

Colorado ranks #41 out of 51 states for accommodation and food services market entry conditions.

Accommodation and Food Services Entry Risk by State

Rank State Risk Score Classification
#1 Delaware 19.8 low
#2 North Carolina 23.4 low
#3 New Mexico 24.5 low
#4 Idaho 26.2 low
#5 Wisconsin 28.2 low
#41 Colorado You 46.9 elevated
Entry Risk by State Alaska — 31.6 · #14 Alabama — 44.1 · #37 Arkansas — 36.9 · #26 Arizona — 46.9 · #40 California — 57.2 · #47 Colorado — 46.9 · #41 Connecticut — 37.3 · #27 District of Columbia — 81.4 · #51 Delaware — 19.8 · #1 Florida — 53.6 · #44 Georgia — 43.6 · #35 Hawaii — 66.1 · #50 Iowa — 39.0 · #29 Idaho — 26.2 · #4 Illinois — 39.5 · #30 Indiana — 37.9 · #28 Kansas — 34.2 · #18 Kentucky — 36.9 · #25 Louisiana — 43.8 · #36 Massachusetts — 28.4 · #7 Maryland — 31.7 · #15 Maine — 55.0 · #46 Michigan — 29.2 · #10 Minnesota — 34.9 · #19 Missouri — 47.2 · #42 Mississippi — 35.6 · #21 Montana — 46.1 · #39 North Carolina — 23.4 · #2 North Dakota — 29.5 · #12 Nebraska — 41.5 · #31 New Hampshire — 28.8 · #8 New Jersey — 43.3 · #34 New Mexico — 24.5 · #3 Nevada — 64.0 · #49 New York — 58.6 · #48 Ohio — 29.3 · #11 Oklahoma — 35.0 · #20 Oregon — 42.8 · #32 Pennsylvania — 36.8 · #24 Rhode Island — 28.3 · #6 South Carolina — 29.2 · #9 South Dakota — 36.7 · #23 Tennessee — 29.5 · #13 Texas — 46.0 · #38 Utah — 36.5 · #22 Virginia — 33.6 · #16 Vermont — 51.0 · #43 Washington — 42.9 · #33 Wisconsin — 28.2 · #5 West Virginia — 33.7 · #17 Wyoming — 55.0 · #45
Low Moderate Elevated High

Tap a state to view details

About Entry Risk Score: A weighted composite of firm retention, growth momentum, market volatility, establishment density, and wage pressure. Lower scores indicate more favorable conditions. Read full methodology →

Data Sources

Data period: 2024. Last updated: February 2026. Next refresh expected: Q2 2026 (BLS QCEW update).

Compare to Another State

How does Colorado stack up against other states for accommodation and food services?

Select a state above to see the comparison

Accommodation and Food Services in Neighboring States

How Colorado's accommodation and food services market compares to bordering states.

New Mexico 24.5 #3/51 Kansas 34.2 #18/51 Oklahoma 35.0 #20/51 Utah 36.5 #22/51 Nebraska 41.5 #31/51 Arizona 46.9 #40/51 Wyoming 55.0 #45/51

Other Industries in Colorado

Construction → Healthcare and Social Assistance → Retail Trade → Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services → Finance and Insurance → Real Estate and Rental and Leasing → Administrative and Support Services → Information → Other Services →