Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
Find Your Edge
The LORI undergraduate minor and graduate concentration are your inside track to the outdoor industry.
Elevate Your Skills
Learn from leading outdoor industry experts and world-class faculty.
Build Your Career Path
Gain marketable skills and be competitive in one of the U.S.'s fastest-growing sectors.
Be in the Know
Gain insights into the trends, challenges and opportunities facing outdoor businesses.
About the Program
The Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry undergraduate minor and graduate concentration equip students with real-world business and leadership skills specific to the outdoor industry. With a focus on business, sustainability, policy and leadership, LORI offers an interdisciplinary education shaped by real-world challenges and connections.
Available Programs
Undergraduate Minor
Open to all DU undergraduates, the LORI minor gives students a practical and immersive introduction to the $1.2 trillion outdoor recreation industry.
Learn more
Graduate Concentration
The graduate concentration in Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry is available to all students enrolled in a Daniels MBA program (Denver/Full-Time, Part-Time, Executive and Online).
Learn more
The U.S. outdoor recreation industry contributes
5 million jobs
$1.2 trillion in annual consumer spending
2.2% of the U.S. GDP
Be part of this $1 trillion industry!
Undergraduate Minor in Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
The LORI minor complements any bachelor's degree with hands-on leadership development and marketable skills in one of the fastest-growing sectors.
You’ll Learn
- Practical business tools, including modeling, risk management, and entrepreneurship
- Leadership skills, sharpened through experiential learning
- The economic and cultural impact of the outdoor recreation industry
- Key policy, regulatory and sustainability issues shaping the sector
Degree requirements
Courses are only open to juniors and seniors.
For Daniels College of Business (DCB) majors: 20 credit hours
Required Courses (12 credits):
- BUS 3350: Overview of the Outdoor Recreation Industry
-
BUS 3399: LORI Capstone Course
-
BUS 3380: Legal Framework for the Outdoor Industry
-
BUS 3355: Sustainability and Markets in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
- BUS 3353: Business Modeling and Operations
Non-business majors must also take BUS 1440: The Fourth Industrial Revolution (4 credits) as a prerequisite, for a total of 24 credit hours.
Graduate Concentration in Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
The concentration builds on the core business competencies taught in Daniels' MBA programs, adding advanced analysis and specialized insight into one of the most dynamic and impactful industries in the world.
What You’ll Gain
- A comprehensive understanding of the outdoor recreation industry’s economic, political, and environmental forces
- The ability to analyze sustainability challenges and drive innovative solutions
- Legal and regulatory frameworks that influence business decisions in outdoor sectors
Graduate Concentration Requirements
16 credit hours
-
Required Courses (12 credits) :
-
BUS 4350: Overview of the Outdoor Recreation Industry
- BUS 4353: Business Modeling and Operations in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
- BUS 4399: LORI Capstone Culmination Course
-
-
Electives (choose one) :
- BUS 4380: Legal Framework for the Outdoor Industry
- BUS 4355: Sustainability and Markets in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
- BUS 4353: Business Modeling and Operations in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
Graduate Certificate in Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry
Students not enrolled in Daniels' MBA programs can earn a 16- or 24-credit graduate certificate in LORI. Learn more about Daniels graduate certificates, or contact Senior Executive Director Chris Castilian.
Featured Faculty
James O’Donnell
From June 2021 through March 2023, James was president of the Mountain Division of Vail Resorts. James originally joined Vail Resorts in June 2002, and held numerous roles during his time there, including EVP of hospitality, retail and rental, and real estate; senior VP of lodging and real estate; COO of VR hospitality; VP of strategic development/M&A; and director of finance.
As a leader within the outdoor industry and recreation space, James believes in fostering relationships with his peers, students, direct reports and workforce through radical candor and open communication. James and his teams strive to create emotional connections with the outdoors across diverse user groups.
James lives in Denver and frequently spends time with his students outside of class. He enjoys bringing his practical work experience and learnings in the outdoor travel and leisure space to the LORI program. He is married with two children, and is an avid snowboarder, hiker and gardener.
Where can a LORI specialization take you?
Outdoor apparel, equipment and gear manufacturing
Resort real estate
Adventure travel
and tourism
Lifestyle and mountain resort companies
Government agencies and nonprofits focused on the outdoors
Sustainability and marketing for outdoor businesses
Why DU?
DU's proximity to the Rocky Mountains means outdoor recreation is part of our culture. Located in the outdoor industry hub of Denver, Colorado, the LORI program offers extraordinary access to outdoor industry leaders and emerging trends. And our curriculum is informed by the in-depth expertise of three colleges specializing in business, international studies and law.
Contact Us
If you have questions about the LORI program, contact Senior Executive Director Chris Castilian, JD, at christopher.castilian@du.edu.
Take the Next Step
To declare a minor or add a concentration to your master's degree, contact your advisor.
- Undergraduate students: To declare a LORI minor, contact your undergraduate advisor.
- Graduate students: To add a LORI concentration to your master's degree, contact your graduate advisor.
- Certificate students: Learn about graduate certificates and how to apply.
Hear From Our Students
"I can’t speak highly enough about the LORI program. The instructors have been world class and bring an amazing depth of knowledge and experience to each class. The content has been relevant and practical and has provided a solid foundation in areas that were previously outside my knowledge base, but will be useful going forward. I’m enjoying learning from both the faculty and fellow students, who bring a diverse wealth of knowledge and perspective to each class."
Dave Gray
Director of Guest Services, Snowmass Ski Area
"The LORI program allows cross-functional collaboration with other outdoor industry leaders both internal and external to my organization. This collaboration and shared learning experience have been a key contributor to diversifying my skillsets and areas of expertise as a leader. The LORI program has actively increased my interest, knowledge and engagement all around, but has also surprisingly unfolded learning and engagement in areas outside of my wheelhouse."
Mikala Ford
Director of Talent Acquisition, Aspen Skiing Company
"I was fortunate to be nominated for the first cohort in the LORI program at DU. After taking four courses I would say that it has exceeded my expectations. The professors have been passionate and thoughtful in their educational approach and content selection. The workload has been interesting, timely and relevant to my career. I’ve also gotten some great networking opportunities with my fellow students."
Nathan Garfield
Director, Snowmass Ski Patrol
The Leadership in the Outdoor Recreation Industry program at the University of Denver is the preferred academic partner of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable.