Public Lands and Prosperity
Summary of key findings of economic reports regarding potential economic benefits of recreation, tourism and conserved public lands for Mesa County
Content
PUBLIC LANDS AND PROSPERITY
Recreation, Tourism and Quality of Life in Mesa County
Quality of Life is Critical to Mesa County’s Economy
Two of Mesa County’s largest economic drivers depend, in part, on maintaining an exceptional quality of life:
Professional and service sector income contributes about a third of the county’s total personal income Investment and retirement income contribute about a third of the county’s total personal income The professional and service sector contributes more than half of the county’s total jobs Photo courtesy Barbara Hawke
See detailed charts on personal income and jobs on the following page
Natural Amenities are Key to Quality of Life
Economists have developed “regional asset indicators” to help western communities plan for future economic success. Some of these indicators include:
Entrepreneurship High-quality workforce Human and Natural Amenities
Counties with high levels of natural amenities (such as varied topography, access to water bodies, and a pleasant climate) are more likely to experience both higher population and economic growth than those counties with fewer such amenities1.
Research indicates that natural amenities, many of which are provided by undeveloped public lands, are an important economic asset for rural western communities.2
Colorado’s prosperity depends on protecting the natural environment that is part of our special quality of life. Protected public lands play an important role by providing recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and amenities that attract and keep creative people in Colorado.
Dr. Daphne Greenwood ,Department of Economics ,University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
ra Hawke
Mesa County can capitalize on natural amenities through careful stewardship of nearby public lands. Mesa County’s National Conservation Areas and National Monument are a compelling attraction for tourism, recreation, and movement of individuals and
1
McGranahan, D.A. 1999. Natural Amenities Drive Rural Population Change. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Food and Rural See Rudzitis and Johansen 1989; Johnson and Rasker 1993, 1995; Rasker 1994; Power 1995, 1996; Duffy-Deno 1998; Rudzitis 1999; Lorah 2000; Rudzitis
Economics Division. Agricultural Economics Report No. 781.
2
and Johnson 2000; Whitelaw et al. 2003; Holmes and Hecox 2004; Rasker et al. 2004; Haefele et al. 2007.
businesses into the area. These protected public lands serve as important economic drivers:
From 1970 to 2010, western non-metropolitan counties with more than 30 percent federal protected land increased jobs by 345%. By comparison, non-metro counties with no protected federal lands increased employment by 83%. 3
3
West is Best: How Public Lands in the West Create a Competitive Economic Advantage. HEADWATERS ECONOMICS. November 2012.
Recreation
The outdoor recreation industry is a major economic driver across the country, supporting 6.1 million direct jobs and $646 billion annually in spending. Bicycling alone generated $70,781,975,693 in trip-related sales in the U.S. And outdoor recreation is a growing economic driver – this sector grew at approximately 5 percent annually between 2005 and 2011.
4
In Colorado, hunters and anglers spent an estimated $1 billion on trip expenses and sporting equipment in Colorado in 2007. Wildlife watching accounted for an estimated $703 expenditures in
Photo courtesy Dolores River Coalition
million in trip and equipment Colorado in 20065
Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Heritage Tourism
Western Colorado has a wealth of historical and cultural resources around which to build a robust heritage tourism economy. Better yet, Grand Junction sits at the apex of a grand circle tour that includes the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway. Heritage tourism can mean big business for western Colorado. Colorado’s heritage tourists spent approximately $244 million on cultural and historic activities Hanging Flume along the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway, courtesy Sally Pierce in 2008 6.
Percent of Total Income
Mesa County, 2010 32.80%
Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce (www.bea.gov)
0.20%
4.70% 33.20%
Investment & Retirement Professional & Service Sector Farming & Ranching Mining, including oil & gas extraction
4
The Outdoor Recreation Economy: Take it Outside for American Jobs and a Strong Economy. Outdoor Industry Association. 2012. Based on economic analysis The Economic Impacts of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Division of Wildlife by BBC Research & Consulting. Sept The Economic Power of Heritage and Place: How Historic Preservation is Building a Sustainable Future in Colorado. Clarion Associates of Colorado, LLC .
by Southwick Associates, Inc. and consumer surveys by Harris Interactive.
5
26, 2008
6
Prepared for the Colorado Historical Foundation and funded by a State Historical Fund grant from History Colorado. October 2011.
Percent of Total Jobs
Mesa County, 2010
2.90% 4.40%
Professional & Service Sector Farming & Ranching 61.10% Mining, including oil & gas extraction
Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce (www.bea.gov)
Recreation, Tourism and Quality of Life in Mesa County
Quality of Life is Critical to Mesa County’s Economy
Two of Mesa County’s largest economic drivers depend, in part, on maintaining an exceptional quality of life:
Professional and service sector income contributes about a third of the county’s total personal income Investment and retirement income contribute about a third of the county’s total personal income The professional and service sector contributes more than half of the county’s total jobs Photo courtesy Barbara Hawke
See detailed charts on personal income and jobs on the following page
Natural Amenities are Key to Quality of Life
Economists have developed “regional asset indicators” to help western communities plan for future economic success. Some of these indicators include:
Entrepreneurship High-quality workforce Human and Natural Amenities
Counties with high levels of natural amenities (such as varied topography, access to water bodies, and a pleasant climate) are more likely to experience both higher population and economic growth than those counties with fewer such amenities1.
Research indicates that natural amenities, many of which are provided by undeveloped public lands, are an important economic asset for rural western communities.2
Colorado’s prosperity depends on protecting the natural environment that is part of our special quality of life. Protected public lands play an important role by providing recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat, and amenities that attract and keep creative people in Colorado.
Dr. Daphne Greenwood ,Department of Economics ,University of Colorado, Colorado Springs
ra Hawke
Mesa County can capitalize on natural amenities through careful stewardship of nearby public lands. Mesa County’s National Conservation Areas and National Monument are a compelling attraction for tourism, recreation, and movement of individuals and
1
McGranahan, D.A. 1999. Natural Amenities Drive Rural Population Change. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service, Food and Rural See Rudzitis and Johansen 1989; Johnson and Rasker 1993, 1995; Rasker 1994; Power 1995, 1996; Duffy-Deno 1998; Rudzitis 1999; Lorah 2000; Rudzitis
Economics Division. Agricultural Economics Report No. 781.
2
and Johnson 2000; Whitelaw et al. 2003; Holmes and Hecox 2004; Rasker et al. 2004; Haefele et al. 2007.
businesses into the area. These protected public lands serve as important economic drivers:
From 1970 to 2010, western non-metropolitan counties with more than 30 percent federal protected land increased jobs by 345%. By comparison, non-metro counties with no protected federal lands increased employment by 83%. 3
3
West is Best: How Public Lands in the West Create a Competitive Economic Advantage. HEADWATERS ECONOMICS. November 2012.
Recreation
The outdoor recreation industry is a major economic driver across the country, supporting 6.1 million direct jobs and $646 billion annually in spending. Bicycling alone generated $70,781,975,693 in trip-related sales in the U.S. And outdoor recreation is a growing economic driver – this sector grew at approximately 5 percent annually between 2005 and 2011.
4
In Colorado, hunters and anglers spent an estimated $1 billion on trip expenses and sporting equipment in Colorado in 2007. Wildlife watching accounted for an estimated $703 expenditures in
Photo courtesy Dolores River Coalition
million in trip and equipment Colorado in 20065
Photo courtesy Colorado Parks and Wildlife
Heritage Tourism
Western Colorado has a wealth of historical and cultural resources around which to build a robust heritage tourism economy. Better yet, Grand Junction sits at the apex of a grand circle tour that includes the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway. Heritage tourism can mean big business for western Colorado. Colorado’s heritage tourists spent approximately $244 million on cultural and historic activities Hanging Flume along the Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway, courtesy Sally Pierce in 2008 6.
Percent of Total Income
Mesa County, 2010 32.80%
Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce (www.bea.gov)
0.20%
4.70% 33.20%
Investment & Retirement Professional & Service Sector Farming & Ranching Mining, including oil & gas extraction
4
The Outdoor Recreation Economy: Take it Outside for American Jobs and a Strong Economy. Outdoor Industry Association. 2012. Based on economic analysis The Economic Impacts of Hunting, Fishing and Wildlife Watching in Colorado. Prepared for Colorado Division of Wildlife by BBC Research & Consulting. Sept The Economic Power of Heritage and Place: How Historic Preservation is Building a Sustainable Future in Colorado. Clarion Associates of Colorado, LLC .
by Southwick Associates, Inc. and consumer surveys by Harris Interactive.
5
26, 2008
6
Prepared for the Colorado Historical Foundation and funded by a State Historical Fund grant from History Colorado. October 2011.
Percent of Total Jobs
Mesa County, 2010
2.90% 4.40%
Professional & Service Sector Farming & Ranching 61.10% Mining, including oil & gas extraction
Source: Regional Economic Information System, Bureau of Economic Analysis, US Department of Commerce (www.bea.gov)
