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O\J'G1\){) Summary the 1990-93 period. Visitor populations fluctuate seasonally due to the county's tourist-based economy and second-home market. At Aspen Highlands, the greatest number of skiers during the last 10 years was 159,288 and occurred in 1994195. The average annual change in skier numbers at Aspen Highlands during this period was 2.80 percent. Higher average growth rates were experienced at Aspen Highlands between 1993194 and 1994195 which correlated with the installation of the Exhibition I and Loge Peak high speed quads. In the last 10 years, the maximum average daily skiers reached at Aspen Highlands was 1,397 skiers per day and occurred during the 1994195 ski season, whereas, in the last 20 years the maximum was 3,303. Tourism, conference center activity, and cultural programs have become the focus of economic activity in Pitkin County. Tourist-related retail trade and services (including hotels, restaurants, bars, and the ski industry) accounted for approximately 60 percent of the total county employment in the recent past. Skiing is the dominant factor in the local economy. A total of 260 people were employed by the ASC at Aspen Highlands during the 1994195 season. Housing that is affordable for permanent residents increased at a slower rate (1.9 percent during the last 15 years) than the labor force. While permanent residence units constituted 85 percent of the housing inventory in 1986, this decreased to 71 percent by 1991. These factors have led to a steady increase in down-valley commuters, which has resulted in increasing traffic volumes on Highway 82. In most cases, community services are adequate and are capable of absorbing some increased demand. Quality of life is being affected by increased commuting times. associated stress levels, and in some cases, lower levels of community services. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSEQUENCES It was estimated that, under the No Action Alternative, skier numbers could grow at 1-2 percent per year and that the average maximum number of skiers/day could grow to 2,854-3,476 skiers/day by 2015 and that this could lead directly and indirectly to as many as 37-82 additional jobs, but this would not likely differ significantly from growth under current conditions. The ASC estimated that no additional employees would be needed to operate skiJifts and patrol the ski terrain under the No Action Alternative, and the number of employees at the Merry-Go- Round restaurant would not increase from the 50 people employed under existing conditions. It should be noted that the employee positions described in this document do not correspond to the Pitldn County's Full Time Equivalent (FfE) employment estimates. Most community services currently have sufficient capacity to absorb small population increases. Under Alternative B, total growth in skier numbers by 2015 is not likely to differ significantly from the No Action Alternative but the year in which the maximum number of skiers (3,480 skiers/day) could be reached sooner. The probable maximum number of new jobs and demand for affordable housing and community services would therefore differ only in timing but not in magnitude to the No Action Alternative. While the potential maximum new jobs would also be 82, this maximum could be reached by 1999-2002, when skier response to completion of Alternative B developments could peak, but jobs may subsequently diminish before resuming at a lower growth rate (1 %/year). Due to the unusual skiing opponunities that the new terrain would offer, it is also possible that the maximum level of skier attendance and associated job creation would persist after peaking in 1999-2002. The ASC estimated that direct job generation could result in the addition of six positions due to increased ski area management needs and five additional positions to operate the reconstructed Merry-Go-Round restaurant. The actual number of additional jobs and the corresponding FrEs would have to be determined through an employee audit if the implementation of Alternative B is approved and after the design and operation structure of the Merry- Go-Round restaurant has been fmalized. Most community services currently have sufficient capacity to absorb the estimated small population increases. Since the same new advanced and expert ski terrain would be developed under Alternative C as under Alternative B, except for Maroon Bowl, patterns of skier number growth, job creation, and demand for affordable housing and community services would likely be very similar under the two alternatives. ConstrUCtion of the Loge Peak restaurant could, however, add as many as 13 full-time and 19 pan-time employees. As in the case of Alternative B, the actual number of additional jobs and the corresponding FrEs would have to be determined through an Section III Soci~conomiCJ 29