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<br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />AREA ANALYSIS <br /> <br />The area being considered is in the inter-mountain range and on the western slope of the Rocky <br />Mountains bcing in the north central part of Colorado and is basically Grand County. Grand <br />County is adjoined by Clear Creek County on the east and southeast, Summit County on the <br />south, Routt County on the west and northwest and Jackson County on the north. <br /> <br />The subject is located in the western portion of Grand County and the small mountain <br /> <br /> <br />community ofKremmling. serves as the primary trade center for the area. Kremmling has a <br /> <br /> <br />population base of approximately 1.500 residents, per the 2000 census. Located in Kremmling is <br /> <br /> <br />a bank, post office. K-12 school district, four restaurants, two building supply stores. large <br /> <br /> <br />grocery store. two gas convenience stores. a 19 bed hospital. assisted living center, a county <br /> <br /> <br />owned airport capable of handling small jet aircraft. and various small retail businesses. <br /> <br />Kremmling is located at the junction of Highway 9 and US Highway 40, which is the main <br />thoroughfare through Grand County. Kremmling is also located just upstream Irom the <br />confluence ofthe l3lue River and Colorado River. Kremmling is approximately a 2 hours drive <br />time west of the Denver/Metro area via Interstate 70 and Highway 9. <br /> <br />The westcrn portion of Grand County is referred to as the "Sportsman's Paradisc". This is due to <br />the large amount of public lands - approximately 70% and the recreational amenitics in the area. <br />This area is known Ii,r its big game hunting - elk, deer and bear as well as trout fishing on the <br />many miles of public lIccess llll the Colonldo River, Williams Fork River lIno the Bluc River. <br />This area serves liS the hcadwaters lor thc Colorado Rivcr. Trihutarics to the Colorado River <br />include thc Fruser River in the ellstern portion of Grand County and in Ihe western pllrtlon arc <br />the Williams Fork Rivcr. Troublesome Creck, Muddy Creek and Ihe Blue River. In addition 10 <br />the steams and rivers in thc western portion of Grand County, thcre arc also three large <br />reservoirs, Green Mountain Reservoir. Wolford Reservoir and Williams Fork Reservoir. for <br />recreational interests such as fishing and other water sports. <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />13 <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />- <br /> <br />Historically the economic base for the western portion of Grand County was cattle ranching and <br />the logging industry. Over time the logging industry has been basically phased out and the <br />majority of family ranches have been purchased by outside absentee interests. who recognize <br />lhe intrinsic value of the ranch operations. for the scenic and recreational amenities of hunting <br />and fishing. and the agricultural production of these ranches has become secondary to the <br />intrinsic value of the area ranches. This is hest exemplified by the purchase ofa portion of <br />Grand River Ranch, a 19.000 acre parcel which has now been subdivided into 19 parcels ranging <br />in size from 175 acres to 5,975 acres. the cattle operation has been discontinued and the <br />developer is selling these parcels as recreational ranches with scenic and recreational, appeal. <br />Another example is the purchase of a portion of Grand River Ranch known as Bear Mountain, <br />whereby thc purchaser is now leasing out the grazing rights and developing a wild life hahitat for <br />big game hunting. Another exampl~ is the purchase of the Eagle Pass Ranch, whereby the <br />purchaser has substantially limited the cattle grazing and production but has substantially <br />enhanced the wild life habitat lor elk, decr and troul. <br /> <br />The western portion of Grand County ranges in elevation from the valley floor along the <br />Colorado River being 7.346 to the mountain peaks at around 12.000 fcet above sea levcl. <br />Climatc ranges from being fairly mild during the Slimmer months with daytime highs hcing in <br />the 80's and night time lows being in the high 30's to low 40's. Winter c1imatc can bc severe <br />with night timc lows typically being minus 10 to 20 degrecs and rcaehing 40 below and daytime <br />highs typically bcing in the range of20 degrees above zero. Snow Jail in Ihc valley seldom is <br />exccssive but in the higher e1cvations snow pack can reach 15 10 20 lect. Annual average <br />precipitation lor the Krell1lllling area is II inchcs but in thc surrounding mountain ranges m1l1ual <br />averdge precipitation is 22 inches. <br /> <br />14 <br />