Laserfiche WebLink
<br /> <br />. <br /> <br />Cl1APrER I <br /> <br />GENERAL DISCUSSIONS <br /> <br />Population <br /> <br />The popularity of the Roaring Fork Va,lley for its scenic and recrea- <br />tion values has made it one of the fastest growing areas in Colorado with <br />a large influx of people seeking permanent residences and vacation home- <br />sites. The population increased gradually f'rom 1940 to 1960 but acceler- <br />ated rapidly between 1960 and 1970 with an 85 percent increase in that <br />period. A signif'icant trend was evident between 1960 and 1970, with the <br />rural areas growing about f'our times faster than the cities and towns. <br />Census f'igures f'or the 1940 to 1970 period are shown below. <br /> <br /> <br /> Population trends <br /> Percent <br /> change <br /> Item 19liD 1950 1960 1970 1960-70 <br /> Pitkin County <br /> Aspen 777 916 1,101 2,437 121 <br /> Rural 856 594 1,280 3,748 193 <br /> Eagle County <br /> Basalt 212 173 213 419 97 <br /> Rural 232 2liD 241 882 266 <br /> Garfield County <br />. Glenwood Springs 2,253 2,412 3,637 4,106 13 <br />Carbondale 437 441 612 726 19 <br />Rural 1,473 1,760 1.700 3.897 129 <br /> Total 6,240 6,5,6 8.784 16.~ 85 <br /> Cities and towns 3,679 3,9 2 5,5b3 7, 38 <br /> Rural 2,561 2.594 3,221 8,527 165 <br /> Economic Development <br /> <br />Agriculture is still the economic base f'or the project area although <br />recreation and tourism are increasingly important. The agriculture is <br />centered around the production of' livestock, primarily beef' cattle, and <br />the associated feed crops of alf'alfa, pasture grasses, and corn silage. <br />Summer grazing on both public and private lands provides support to the <br />livestock industry. Cash cropping with small grains, hay, and some pota- <br />toes is also cornmon. <br /> <br />The nearby recreation and skiing developments are of' increasing ec- <br />onomic importance to the project area. The skiing industry has he,d a <br />phenomenal growth, with visitations increasing more than 20 f'old since <br />1960. Lodging accommodations for skiers to date have largely been con- <br />structed adjacent to the skiing mountains but the spillover, particularly <br />of' individual residences, is beginning to reach the project area. Per- <br />. manent bousing for the population manning the skiing service industry has <br />largely developed in the project area out of' the high rent districts. All <br /> <br />. <br /> <br />5 <br />