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(lu113J PUBLIC ATTITUDES ABOUT AGRICULTURE IN COLORADO Executive Summary . This document provides a summary of the key findings of a study undertaken by the Colorado Department of Agriculture, the Ag Insights advisory group, and Colorado State University's College of Natural Resources. The purpose of this study was to better understand how Coloradans perceive agriculture in the state. This study replicated a study conducted in 1996. This summary presents the 200 I and 1996 results, noting similarities and differences. SALIENT FINDlNCS . Nearly all of those surveyed think agriculture is important to the quality of life in Colorado. a similar percentage as in 1996, with 80% feeling it was very important to the quality of life in Colorado. . Eighty-five percent of those surveyed believe Colorado agriculture provides food at a reasonable price. slightly down from 88% in 1996. . In both 200 I and 1996, 85% of respondents felt it was very important to maintain land and water in agricultural production. . In 200], more Coloradans favored financial incentives to encourage land owners to maintain agricultural land and water in production than in 1996 (50% vs. 46%). Fewer respondents in 2001 favored a regulatory approach (30% vs. 38%). . . Eighty-seven percent of respondents felt public funds should be used to help farmers and ranchers improve wildlife habitat and conserve water and soil resources. . 2001 results showed an increase in respondents who felt agriculture in Colorado was almost always responsible in protecting the environment (22% vs. 16%). However, there was a 6% decrease in those who felt agriculture in Colorado was usually responsible in protecting the environment. . While the percentage of those who felt the use of agriculture chemicals is almost always necessary to produce enough food increased from 9% in 1996 to 20% in 200 I, there was a decrease in those who felt it was usually or sometimes necessary. . There was a 7% increase from 1996 to 2001 of those that agreed that ranchers with permits to graze on public land treat the land appropriately. . Agriculture was seen as the top water priority in a dry year, with in-stream Ilow levels second. . Eighty-six percent of respondents felt the food produced in Colorado was almost always safe (60%) or usually safe (26%). . Respondents were split with regards to how safe genetically engineered food is to eat, with 17% indicating it is almost always safe to eat and 18% indicating it is almost never safe to eat. . . Ninety-two percent of respondents indicated they would definitely (64%) or probably (28%) purchase Colorado grown and produced products if available and identified as being from Colorado. Co~