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-- since a clear correlation exists between population size and density and the cost of disasters, it follows that Colorado's growth continues to intensify potential costs and vulnerabil i ty. Should the State's population grow in the next decade as rapidly as the last, that is by almost 30 percent, vulnerability will increase dramatically, Lower levels of growth will commensurately increase vulnerability. There is another acute problem additionally inherent to this growth since people are choosing to settle in many areas along the Front Range where extreme events are most likely, This is the high relief (difference in altitude), relatively high rainfall, reg ion of the State. Fairly high intens i ty earthquakes have and can occur again in this area. Tornados occur in the foothills as well as across the eastern plains. This increasingly high vulnerability along the Front Range and indeed across the State can only be reduced through better preparedness and mitigation -- mainly at the State and local levels. COUNTY PREPAREDNESS "- In general, the nine counties (Denver, Jefferson, Adams, El Paso, Arapahoe, Boulder, Pueblo, Larimer and Weld) that account for 80 percent of Colorado's population have developed plans which bear with considerable specificity on key local hazards. These county plans generally stress responses within unincorporated areas of the county, leaving incorporated entities to develop their own plans. In most cases in these counties, cities have also begun to develop their own reasonably effective plans. Also, many of these entities have held exercises to test their plans. Many have begun to develop recovery plans dealing with such issues as: damage assessment, debris clearance, and temporary housing. Some of these entities in the 80 percent population "slice" have developed effective response systems to carry out their plans and in many cases can cope with emergency situations of fairly large scale without outside help, Counties, cities and towns which comprise the next 10 percent (up to 90 percent as described on pages 8 and 10, when counties are considered in terms of total population) of the State's population have not progressed quite so far, Many of these entities are still lacking written plans or existing plans lack sufficient specificity. The quality of these plans ranges from excellent to poor. Some have exercised their plans and have dedicated response organiza- tions -- some have paid little attention to preparedness issues. Most of these entities would require State assis- tance in a large or medium scale emergency situation, --- Many of the entities which comprise the last 10 percent of Colorado's population (when listed in order of total population as described on pages 8 and 10) have effective 28 . ~ . . .