PUB00108

• Year: 1986
• Title: St. Vrain Basin Reconnaissance Study
• CWCB Section: Administration
• Author: Colorado Water Resources and Power Development Authority
• Description: Extensive study for future study and development toward meeting the water-related needs of residents with the St. Vrain Basin
• Publications - Doc Type: Brochure

1 . Land Use

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11-8

D. Social Characteristics

The Study Area encompasses approximately 320,000 acres (500 sq mi)
of which approximately 82% is in Boulder County, 16% is in Weld County, and 2%
is in Larimer County. The upper portion of the Basin west of Lyons includes
approximately 190,000 acres which is primari Iy national forest lands and
undeveloped private lands. A few small communities (Lyons, Allenspark, Ward
and Jamestown) are present with scattered subdivisions that are presently
under development. Rocky Mountain National Park and the Twin Sisters Area
occupy about 40 sq mi in the northwest corner of the Basin. The City of Long-
mont and scattered subdivision developments in the lower basin (east of Lyons)
comprise the largest percentage of urban development in the Study Area.

Cropland is the dominant land use in the lower basin with irrigated
lands predominating over non-irrigated croplands. In 1980, approximately
71,000 acres of cropland in the Study Area were irrigated. It is estimated
that an additional 10,000 acres would be prime irrigated land if water were
suppl ied (SCS, 1979).

Regional land use pol icies of the count ies are guided by county
plans wh i ch cons i s t 0 f b road-based I and use goa Is, po I i c i es and p roposa I s
intended to guide future development. The Boulder County Comprehensive Plan
is the most detai led plan of the three counties in the Study Area (Boulder,
Larimer and Weld). A significant component of the Boulder County Comprehen-
sive Plan is the identification of natural and cultural factors which interact
with various land use factors. Future water resource projects wi II be re-
viewed wi th regard to thei r consistency wi th the county plans of the various
counties in which the projects are sited.

2. Socioeconomics

Boulder County makes up 82% of the Study Area and 64% of the Siting
Area. The principal towns and cities of the county are experiencing consider-
able economic and population growth. This has been partially a result of the
scientific research at the University of Colorado and at federal establish-
ments in and near Boulder. Elsewhere the development of manufacturing plants
has had significant influence on the local economy. Tourism likewise has
played an important part in developing and stimulating the economy of the
area. Table 11-2 shows selected socioeconomic data for 1970 and 1980 for
Boulder County. The population of Boulder County in 1980 was 189,625, an
increase of approximately 44% from the 1970 census.

The Study Area population in 1980 is estimated at 63,000 people.
Of these, approximately 43,000 people I ive in Longmont. Three thousand live
in the upper basin west of Lyons inclusive of the 223 and 129 people who
reside in Jamestown and Ward, respectively (DRCOG, 1983a, 1983b). General
popu lat ion, hous i ng and soc i oeconomi c character i st i cs for the four largest