RATON, N.M. — Visitors attending a weeklong shooting competition at the NRA Whittington Center spent an estimated $45,874 in the Raton community, according to a letter sent to Raton Mayor Lori Chatterley.
The July 17 letter from Lorraine Markwardt, a committee member for the 2026 Western Lever Gun and NRA National Lever Gun Championship, provided the city with an estimate of the economic activity generated by out-of-town competitors during the July 3-11 period.
According to Markwardt, approximately $35,481 of the estimated spending went toward lodging, with the remainder spent at Raton restaurants, grocery stores, gas stations, retail businesses and other local establishments.
Markwardt noted that the figure was based only on receipts collected from participants and that additional spending was not included because some receipts were not turned in.
The competition, held July 5-9 at the Whittington Center, marked the sixth consecutive year the match had been held at the facility, according to the letter.
The letter was copied to Interim City Manager Neil Segotta, Community and Economic Development Director Synthia Laura Molina, GrowRaton President Shayne Young, The Raton Range Editor Roger Rael and Whittington Center Program Director Eric Whaley.
Markwardt told the mayor that the economic impact extends beyond the Whittington Center itself, benefiting businesses throughout Raton and supporting local jobs.
The new figures add a dollar amount to The Raton Range’s previous reporting on the economic impact of events at the NRA Whittington Center, showing how visiting competitors can translate into direct spending in the local economy.
The Raton Range will continue examining the economic impact of major events held in and around Raton, including where visitor spending goes and how those events affect local businesses.
Editor’s note: The $45,874 figure is an estimate supplied by the competition committee and is based only on receipts collected. It should not be interpreted as a complete accounting of all spending by parti
