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<br />BACKGROUND 11 <br /> <br />in meeting the demand of the populace. This, in turn <br />forces a decline in quality. lack of and/or poor quality <br />services and amenities in turn result in upswings in crime, <br />alcoholism, suicides and suicide attempts. Social problems <br />and negative signs of urbanization (congestion, higher <br />prices, and fear) contribute to feelings of alienation <br />and loss of the old, better way of life. The highest toll <br />extracted from boom towns is the 1iteral destructlon of a <br />community which has in the past sustained and nurtured its <br />peop1e. The decline in the quality of 1ife has stolen a <br />community from its peop1e.* <br /> <br />While the problems experienced in Craig are not as severe as those in Rock <br /> <br />Springs, they are of sufficient magnitude to focus the attention of Colo- <br /> <br />radans on a serious potential problem; that is, achieving order1y community <br /> <br />development when energy resources are commercialized. Referring to this <br /> <br />situation, Governor lamm made the fo110wing statement. <br /> <br />Our efforts should be directed toward maximizing the in- <br />dividual human benefit while assuring the proper balance <br />between man and nature. This ba1ance wi11 be increasingly <br />tested should uncoordinated growth be a110wed to continue <br />indefinitely. We must strive to promote an ethic of ste- <br />wardship and conservation of our natura1 resources and our <br />environment in citizens and visitors alike:** <br /> <br />In summary, energy boom towns in the Rocky Mountain Region have tended to <br />exhibit the fo11owing characteristics:*** <br /> <br />(1) Relatively small population base, usually under 50,000. <br /> <br /> <br />(2) Isolation from larger cities or metropolitan areas. <br /> <br /> <br />(3) Population growth rates in excess of 10 percent annual for at least <br /> <br />two consecutive years. <br /> <br />*Prepared statement by Doyle Jackson, Mayor of Craig, Colorado, presented <br />to the legislative Finance Committee, September 20, 1976. <br /> <br />**Offi ce of the Governor, Executi ve Order, "Goal sand Objecti ves for Co 10- <br />rado's long-Range Growth and Deve10pment," September 1976, p. 2. <br /> <br />***This summary of boom town characteristics was derived from a number of <br />sources including John S. Gilmore, "Boom Towns r1ay Hinder Energy Resource <br />Deve10pment," Science, February 13, 1976, pp. 535-540; and an internal <br />paper prepared by the staff of the Governor's Socio-Economic Impact <br />Coordinator, September 1976. <br /> <br />0439 <br />