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<br />, <br /> <br />105 .3 The recreational industry, that is, the collective businesses <br />devoted wholly or in large part to supplying the demands of a growing <br />market of recreation-seekers, is a very real and valuable asset to the <br />State of Colorado. In the several states where it is IOOstly hie;hly <br />developed it accounts for 2S0 to 3S0 million dollars of the state's <br />arumal business. Even in Colorado, where development is actually in <br />its infancy except for some of the old established localities such as <br />Colorado Springs or Estes Park, recreation is recognized as being one <br />of the two or three top sources of business income. <br /> <br />A recent article in Fortune Magazine, August 1949, based on <br />estimates compiled b.r the Brookings Institute, states that in the next <br />100 years we m~ expect the demand for food to increase three-fold, <br />while the demand placed upon those industries and resources devoted to <br />recreation m~ be expected to increase 30 times. Vfuether or not one <br />accepts these figures as being exactly correct, they do indicate the <br />need for consideration of existing and potential recreational values. <br /> <br />Each of us who is responsible for the full development of our <br />Nation'.s resources to adequately meet the future needs of our people <br />should strive to preserve those resources for which so great a future <br />demand is forecast. With particular reference to Color~do vmere exist- <br />ing values are hi~h and potentialities are great, earnest consideration <br />should be ~ven to preserving the recreational resources upon vhich her <br />reputation as a vacation-land is built. <br /> <br />Fishing is one of the most important forms of recreation, and <br />it is said to include a greater nwnber of participants than any other <br />single sport. Also many additional persons are induced to spend their <br />vacations in certain areas because one or more members of the family a:e <br />attracted by the fishing possibilities. <br /> <br />Fishes, although the point m~ seem to obvious to mention, re- <br />quire water. The average \"later area provided by a stream during the grow- <br />ing season and during the \vinter months is an important factor in the <br />productivity of that stream, just as productivity of a r~..,ch may be limited <br />b.r the aJIDunt of summer range land and the aJIDunt of h~ produced for \'lin- <br />tor feed. <br /> <br />Water, in the form of attractive streams and lakes, provides <br />the focal point for recreational use and development. Scenery and climate <br />in themselves are not usually sufficient inducement for the tourist to <br />stop long or to plan to spend a vacation in a particular area. As an <br />example, we might cite the Park Range along the eastern side of the <br />Arkansas Valley, or the Sanere de Cristo Mountains, or the Cocheto1'8 Bills <br />which border the Closed Basin of the San Luis Valley. All are areas of <br />beautiful scenery and attractive summer climate. Each is devoid of <br />streams or lakes suitable for fishing or other recreational use, except <br />perhaps at the hi~her elevations. None has proved desirable for recrea- <br />tional development. Except for the fact that suitable fishing waters <br /> <br />2 <br />