| 12 Myths about Growth and Development Donella Meadow summarizes the 12 myths of Growth and Development, as described by Eben Fodor in his book, "Better Not Bigger," along with reasons why these often-stated concepts are false. |
| Affordable Housing in Clear Creek County, CO. A report from the Affordable Housing Task Force in Clear Creek County, September 30, 2003. Identifies priorities, key considerations, and implementation steps. |
| Living Rural In Clear Creek County A document from the Communioty Connectors organization offering a number of pieces of information about adapting to the rural environment in Clear Creek County, and how to get the most enjoyment out of it. |
| All-In-One Outdoor Adventures The new Colorado Adventure Center represents the growing model for all-in-one adventure shopping.with its five whitewater options, three biking excursions and two zipline courses between Glenwood Springs and Idaho Springs - including Colorado's longest tower zipline complex, over Clear Creek. |
| Alternatives for Future Growth in Colorado. An analysis of how different policies can affect the way growth occurs in rural areas, and how much different the costs for each alternative are. |
| Aurora's Gaylord Project Aurora's incentive package is one of the biggest offered in Colorado. The mayor touts the economic benefits. But others worry that the costs may outweigh the net benefits. |
| Bad Ballot Measure Two economists describe a hypothetical ballot measure that creates twice as much cost as benefit to a local government-- but is nevertheless likely to pass. The scenario describes the forces that can create bad results for a county. |
| Belmar - Brownfields Success Story. A description of a large re- development project in the Denver area, and how it avoided some of the costs associated with many developments, and provided net benefits to the community and to the local government. |
| Clear Creek Open Space Survey - Metro State 1999 A survey conducted in 1999 by metro State university showed so much support of Open Space, that it was a prime factor in creating the Clear Creek Open Space Commission. |
| CO Outdoor Recreation Trends (OCT 2014 COORP Presentation) A report by the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan for 2014, showing what types of activities are growing and what ones are important to the economy. |
| Development Death Spiral The county wants more tax revenues, so they approve development. The development incurs more expenses for services and support, so the county deficit widens. The county needs more tax revenues, so they approve more development. |
| Development Impact Analysis - Archuleta County. A formal quantitative impact analysis of a large development project in Archuleta County, Colorado. Covers county services and infrastructure, but not some of the other elements in the SOLVE cost framework. Shows that to keep service at current levels, tax rates would have to be increased across the whole county. |
| Development Impact Analysis - Montrose County. A formal quantitative impact analysis of overall growth in Montrose County, Colorado, over a ten-year period. Covers county services and infrastructure, but not some of the other elements in the SOLVE cost framework. Shows that to keep service at current levels, tax rates would have to be increased across the whole county. |
| Development Is Not Always a Net Gain. An article written by outgoing two-term county commissioner Harry Dale, for the local newspaper. Discusses the need to look not only at new tax base, but also at the costs incurred as steps are taken to increase the tax base. |
| Development Must Benefit County. A June 2010 editorial in the Clear Creek Courant by County Commissioner Harry Dale, explaining some realities of development in the county. |
| Economic and Fiscal Impacts of Smart Growth Policies The Lincoln Institute of Land Policy finds thatSmart Growth policies can achieve their objectives, while not adversely affecting property values. |
| Economic Impact of Trails The National Trails Training Partnership offers many links to sites and articles offering information about economic benefits. |
| Fiscal Cost of Sprawl How sprawl contributes to local governments' budget woes. A report by William Coyne for Environment Colorado. |
| Growing Blind. An excerpt from the "Fiscal Cost of Sprawl" by Environment Colorado, December 2003. Explains factors that drive growth, and how the result may be just the opposite of what local governments had hoped for. Examples include Fort Collins and Berthoud. |
| Growth Facts of Life. An article written by an economist. Emphasizes systemic thinking, and shows why many hoped for benefits of growth are short-lived. Focused on Colorado Springs, but applicable to most localities in Colorado and beyond. Suggests that impact fees be base not on average costs associated with development, but rather on incremental costs (which are generally higher). |
| Indicators of Economic Well-Being. A report from the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy. A suggestion of various economic indicators that would be more relevant in a steady-state economy than the more traditional Gross Domestic Product (GDP). |
Reform County Payments. This document describes several types of payments made by the federal government to counties where the federal government owns significant amount of land that does not provide county tax revenue. Included are Secure Rural Schools (SRS) and Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILT). Then the paper goes on to examine current trends, and suggest needed reforms in these government programs, to deal with those trends. |
| Smart Growth Policies in Colorado. A historical review of growth in Colorado. Emphasizes that there is little guidance at the state level for smart growth. But there is enabling legislation that allows local governments to build smart growth strategies and policies. Demonstrates where this has worked well. |
| Smart Growth Score Card for Colorado. A format for community self-assessment. Works well in the context of the article on Smart Growth Policies. |
| Tax Abuse on Agricultural Property - Part 1 Part 1 of a series of articles from the Denver Post, covering how tax breaks for Agriculture are abused by holders of land who have no real intent to us the land for Agricultural purposes, but rather are only using the provisions to lower their taxes on land they are holding speculatively. |
| Tax Abuse on Agricultural Property - Part 2 Part 1 of a series of articles from the Denver Post, covering how tax breaks for Agriculture are abused by holders of land who have no real intent to us the land for Agricultural purposes, but rather are only using the provisions to lower their taxes on land they are holding speculatively. |
| Transfer of Development Rights Manual. Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) is one way that counties can manage and control sprawl. It allows development to be focused where it will be most advantageous to the county; allowing compensation to owners of commercially-zoned land who do not develop their own land. The document is the manual for how TDR is implemented in Fruita, CO. |
| What is a Steady State Economy. A report from the Center for the Advancement of the Steady State Economy. Contrasts a steady-state economy with the growth we have been led to expect. Show how it could work, with benefits to citizens. |
