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The Colorado Economic Chronicle observed in its Apri12004 newsletter that C'olorado's rafting <br />industry reported. a forty-five percent (45%) increase in business in 2003, the liLrgest jump in <br />fifteen (15) year:,, despite the drought. Colorado Legislative Council, Coloradi) Economic <br />Chronicle, p. 5(ikpril, 29, 2004) (attached as Exhibit A). In spite of these treni3s, the State <br />through the CW(:B is spending significant taxpayer monies to fight appropriations for RICD <br />water rights that are a means to promote and protect investments in the water-t?ased recreation <br />economy that beiiefits a11 of Colorado. <br />Recreatianal in-channel activities are a national trend and communities aze fighting to <br />draw tourist dollars into their cities and towns. "In the last few years, about 2_`i communities <br />including Wausau, Wis.; Pittsford, N.Y.; and the Colorado cities of Boulder, L>enver, Vail and <br />Steamboat Springs have re-engineered the waterways coursing through their nudst to create the <br />rapids, riffles and `play holes' that white-water kayakers appreciate. Missoula, Mont.; Boise, <br />Idaho; and Willnmantic, Conn., are among a growing number of cities pushing to ].iven up their <br />waterways - and city coffers." Ashley Powers, There's C'rold in the Spills, L.A. 'Times, <br />September 13, 2004 (atta.ched as Exhibit B). The article reports that Charlotte, North Carolina <br />has proposed a$25 million artificial white-water course that economic expert-, believe will <br />generate $37 mi]lion annually. Id. The kayak park in Golden, Colorado geneirates between $1.4 <br />and 2 million ansually. Evidently, the financial benefits associated with these kayak pazks are a <br />boon to these loc:al economies. <br />Not only do recreational amenities, like ka.yak parks, expand government coffers, they <br />also reinvigorate the community by creating a focal point on the river, which im tum generates <br />pride in the com;nunity and promotes local businesses. Where governments build expensive <br />4