In the first half of the year, the average occupancy rate posted at 58.8%, compared with 56.3% in the first six months of 2004. And the average room rate through June is $106.52, 8.7% higher than the $98.01 average in the first half of 2004.

The highest room rates, by a long shot, were found in Aspen in June. The average room rates in Aspen were $261.90. The 27,462 rooms in the glitzy resort town stood at 62.9%, which also was by far the highest occupancy rate in the mountain resorts in June.

Vail, by comparison, had a 48.8% occupancy rate and an average room rate of $143.02. The average room rate at Steamboat Springs was $103.07 and the occupancy rates to do at 47.8%. Winter Park's average room rate was $83.17 and its occupancy was only 22.3%. Other resorts, which includes Keystone, Copper Mountain and Telluride, includes 171,230 room nights, with an average occupancy rate of 47.3% and an average room rate of $171.28.

Colorado Springs, the second largest city in the state, showed an overall occupancy rate of 75.2% and an average room rate of $88.75. The best hotels in Colorado Springs had an average room rate of $98.40 and an average occupancy of 79.1%. The second-tier hotels in the city 60 miles south of Denver had an average occupancy rate of 69.4% and an average room rate of $75.15.