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<br />nature of bnu-use concerns throughout the Statc: <br /> <br />It <br /> <br />Front Rallge-the counties from Larimer in the north to Pueblo in the south <br />are largely urbanizeu; 80% of the State's population lives in this region. The <br />positive effects of growth-cconomic, employment, and cultural opportunity- <br />arc: clearly seen in this region; the negative.effects of growth-sprawl, pollution,. . <br />congestion-are also evident. <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />High Plaills-the counties to the east of the front range corridor, rural and <br />agricultural, were until very recently undergoing a sloIV popubtion decline. <br /> <br />It <br /> <br />SOllth Celltral-the counties primarily within the beautiful San Luis Valley, <br />predominantly mral and agricultural, have severe economic problems. Of <br />particular note in this region is a strong Spanish cultural heritage. Relatively <br />easy ac~ess has made this area the focus of recreation opportunity for citizens <br />of such neighboring states as Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />Moulltains-stretching from the north central to the southwest part of the <br />State, the fragile mountain environment is Colorado's chief recreation resource: <br />In contrast to the-old days when mining was king, the mountain countieS now <br />depend chieOy.on tourism and recreation. . In the counties near the-ski areas, <br />froutrange-style land development, air poJllltion, and congestio'lare <br />noticeable. <br /> <br />.. <br /> <br />Northwest-the plateaus of this region support small communities, frnit orchards, <br />. and grazing lands. The potential of oil shale is projected to cause this area's <br />population to jump from its present population of 80,600 to around 384,000 <br />by 2000, bringing great economic benefits while putting severe strains on the <br />region's infrastrllcture-sehools, hospitals, and transportation. In the lattcr <br />three regions, large federal land holdings, amounting to more than a third of <br />the State's total land area, influence t!le course and pattern of growth. <br /> <br />THE GOALS1 <br /> <br />Given the diversity of regional needs, the Commission had to formulate a set of goals <br />for the State, reflecting regional diversity yet providing a focus for a statewide land-use. <br />policy. The Commission first formulated broad goals, and then outlined targets (what <br />ought to be done, where and by when) and policies (who ought to do what, and how). <br />Next came the consideration and a(loption of program clements (the tool; for carrying out <br />thc policies), and finally the development of an organizational structure and a set of <br />short- and long-term strategies. The Commission adopted goals for four major areas <br /> <br />7For complete discussion. s~e Ch~pter JI of the report. <br /> <br />.r~ <br />O~ <br /> <br />xi <br />