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<br />They would also provide a variety of recreational opportunities closer to major popubtion <br />centers. The concept of lincar parks could also be applied on a larger scale to control <br />strip dcvelopment, cspc'cially in mountain valleys, so as to preserve or restore the <br />environment while promoting access to pnhlic recreational lands. The Special Land. <br />Agency, besides pursuing these important environmental goals, could begin to intervene <br />in the land ri,arkd to provide inducements for orderly growth. The Special Land Agency <br />could also exchange or transfer land that the federal government decides to dispose of. <br /> <br />The environmental programs the Commission recommends are designed to be <br />adaptable to regional priorities. With respect to environmental concerns, the needs of <br />the Mountain Region are the most critical and should be given special attention. The <br />nTountain environment is the State's Illost fragile, particularly at higher altitudes, and . <br />development scars there take longer to heal. For most people, moreover, the mountains <br />are the essence of Colorado. For this reason, the Commission proposes that the Mountain <br />Region be given special powers. its own sources of revenue (perhaps a special tax. <br />whose burden would fall on those using the recreational resources of the mountains), <br />and be encouraged to engage in special programs to safeguard and enhance its unique <br />and spectacular environmentaLresources. ...... . .,0.: .'C.......:. <br /> <br />Economic and Po.pulation Pro~ramiu <br /> <br />".. ...--.-" <br /> <br />To moderate economic and population growth in the Front Range and to attract <br />new growth to other parts of the State, the Commision recommends a combination of <br />incentives and disincentives, to be introduced in connection with the "growth ccnters" <br />concept. Growth centers will be designated by the regions in consultation with the State <br />L~nd Use Agency, Division of Commerce and Development, and other agencies <br />that will playa kcy role in their development (e.g., Highways and Budget). The establish- <br />ment of growth cCllters-to attract new populationand economic activity to different <br />locations in the Front Range and the Mountains; as foci for economic, social, and cultural <br />development in the South Central and High PJa~ns; and as nuclei for regional resource <br />~~velopment In the Northwest-ar~.essential elements of a gro~th and r".d~st~~u.ti~.~policy. <br /> <br />The desire for economic and population redistribution and the concept of growth <br />centers require reinforcement with such to.ols as technical assistance. infrastmcture <br />investment coordination, financial assistance, and natural resourceand manpower programs. <br />Reinforcement can be provided by a Statc Economic Development Corporation under. <br />the auspices of the Division of Commerce and Development. Such programs can be <br />effective in guiding private firms' selection of a location, once they have uecided to move <br />or expand. .1"he State Lan~..lJse Agency can, and should, identify issues of State concern, <br /> <br />llFor fuU disl;ussiun, see Ch;Jpter V of the report. <br /> <br />'l() i.b <br /> <br />xvi <br />