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<br />ECONOMY <br /> <br />Boulder County is the most urbanized <br />county in the study area, being directly <br />adjacent to the Denver metropolitan area. It <br />is also a center of academic activity in that <br />the city of Boulder contains the University of <br />Colorado, the largest educational institution <br />in the State. <br /> <br />The economy of Boulder County has <br />historically been based on mining and <br />agriculture. The county ranks eighth in <br />Colorado for farm income. Approximately <br />10 percent of the county's acreage is in <br />irrigated farmland. The principal farm crops <br />are sugar beets, small grains, and corn. <br />Poultry and dairy operations are also of <br />importance in the county. <br /> <br />Since the discovery of gold in 1858, more <br />than $52 million in principal minerals have <br />been produced in Boulder county. The major <br />source of activity at present is in fluorspar, <br />with annual production having exceeded $2 <br />million. <br /> <br />The principal towns and cities of the county <br />are experiencing considerable economic and <br />population growth. This has been partially a <br />result of the scientific research at the <br />University of Colorado and at Federal <br />establishments in and near Boulder. <br />Elsewhere, the development of <br />manufacturing plants has had significant <br />influence on the economy and population <br />expansion. Tourism, likewise, has played an <br />important part in developing and stimulating <br />the economy of the area. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Fort Collins <br /> <br />Being situated farther from the hub of the <br />Denver metropolis than its neighbor, <br />Boulder County, Larimer County is less <br />urbanized but is also academically oriented <br />in that it contains Colorado State University <br />in Fort Collins. <br /> <br />As in the case of Boulder County, <br />agricultural production plays an important <br />part in the economy of Larimer County. <br />Important agricultural commodities include <br />sugar beets, barley, and dairy products. <br />Commercial vegetables include sweet corn, <br />beans, cabbage, cantaloupes, tomatoes, <br />green peas, carrots, cauliflower, and lettuce. <br /> <br />Stone quarries produce building stone, <br />ornamental stone, and flagstone. Other <br />minerals produced include gypsum, oil, <br />beryl, and mica. Chief among the county's <br />products are cement, electronic equipment, <br />sugar, mobile homes, and canned food. <br /> <br />In Weld County, production from agriculture <br />ranks first in the State. The county contains <br />an important educational institution, the <br />University of Northern Colorado in Greeley, <br />which is noted for its outstanding school of <br />education and related fields. <br /> <br />Principal crops include barley, wheat, corn, <br />dry beans, sugar beets, oats, and hay. The <br />production and feeding of cattle and other <br /> <br />11-10 <br />