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<br />000531
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<br />industry in the county from the time irrigated farming began in Colorado in the 1880's. The long frost-
<br />free period of about 191 days gives farmers a selection from a large variety of cash and forage crops.
<br />Principal cash crops have been fruit (apples, peaches, pears, apricots, and cherries), sugar beets, com,
<br />malting barley, and small grains. Alfalfa and com for silage are the main forage crops grown for
<br />livestock feed.
<br />HUP beneficiaries primarily use late summer and early fall water to irrigate rqw, orchard, and vineyard
<br />crops. Irrigation is used to complete the growing of late season row crops maturing at that time of year.
<br />In addition, water during this time is used to flood orchard and vineyard stands so that they overwinter
<br />successfull y.
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<br />Roaring Fork Valley. Recreation activities associated with Ruedi Reservoir, the Fryingpan River, and the
<br />Roaring Fork River benefit the valley economy and the towns' of Basalt and Carbondale, where visitors
<br />purchase goods and services. Surveys indicate that from November 2000 to October 2001 over 20,000
<br />visits were made to the Fryingpan River Valley between Ruedi and Basalt (Crandall, 2002). Most of
<br />these visitors indicated they were anglers.
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<br />The Fryingpan and Roaring Fork Rivers are located in west central Colorado in Pitkin, Eagle, and
<br />Garfield counties (Location Map). Basalt, with a population of2,681, is the major community along the
<br />Fryingpan, being situated at the confluence of the Fryingpan and the Roaring Fork Rivers. Upstream
<br />along the Fryingpan from Basalt are numerous multi-acre, private parcels, most of which have been
<br />developed as single-family dwellings.
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<br />In large part, concerns about impacts to the local economy expressed by the public have been focused on
<br />Basalt and, to a lesser extent, the Roaring Fork Valley. Basalt's economy does bear some similarity with
<br />the Valley's economic situation: for purposes of this analysis, therefore, the discussion of Basalt's
<br />economy that follows can be applied broadly to the Roaring Fork Valley.
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<br />Basalt's economy is closely tied to outdoor recreation. It is an important draw for tourists, and it is the
<br />key to the quality of life for area residents. During the winter, the major recreational activity is alpine
<br />skiing, while during other seasons fishing remains the key attraction to Basalt and surrounding area. For
<br />the most part, only a few businesses constitute Basalt's economy, and these businesses are mostly directly
<br />related to recreation activities associated with Ruedi Reservoir, the Fryingpan River below Ruedi Dam,
<br />and the Roaring Fork River. Examples are fishing and camping retail stores. There is a much larger
<br />economic influence associated with travel cost expenditures of visitors (gas, lodging, dining, groceries,
<br />etc.). Thus, contributions directly to the economy may not be particularly significant; when coupled with
<br />traveler's expenditures, however, these contributions represent a more important element within the
<br />community's economy.
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<br />Basalt's population went from 529 in 1980, to 1,210 in 1990 (+129%), to 2,681 in 2000 (+122%).
<br />Carbondale went from 2,084 in 1980, to 3,004 in 1990 (+44%), to 5,196 in 2000 (+73%). Glenwood
<br />Springs went from 4,637 in 1980, to 6,561 in 1990 (+41 %), to 7,736 in 2000 (+18%), while Aspen's
<br />population went from 3,678 in 1980, to 5,049 in 1990 (+37%), and to 5,940 in 2000 (+18%). These data
<br />were provided by the State of Colorado (2001). Thus, it can be seen the area is growing in population.
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<br />Estimates indicate that sales tax receipts for the two fishing stores in Basalt have increased by up to 35%
<br />over the past four years, although sales tax receipts were down (approximately 30%) in one year, 1999
<br />(Baker, 2001). (That year endangered fish releases were higher than in any other year, totaling 27,401
<br />AF, although Ruedi Reservoir was at or above 100,000 AF through the end of August.)
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<br />Based on information reported to the US. Forest Service by permitted guides, outfitter/guide trips
<br />(service days) provided during endangered fish releases (July-October) over the past thirteen years have
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