Envision Chaffee County Summary A future built on common ground Agenda Envision Chaffee County Summary Community Survey and the Community Vision Measures The Path Forward - Discussion

Envision Chaffee County – What A community effort to maintain the assets citizens value most as we grow and prosper The big idea of Envision Chaffee County is to engage the community to develop an “Envision Chaffee County” Plan – a plan that charts a path forward to 2030 and beyond, delivering specific ways to maintain our key resources while allowing for economic opportunity. So what does all that mean? The program essentially is asking the Community 3 questions: First – what are the big things that make Chaffee County special – when we say “Now THIS is CO what do mean?”. If we think about our valley –from the top of Mt Princeton to the top of Trout Creek Pass, Along the Ark River from BV through our rural landscapes to Salida and up the little Ark to Poncha Springs and Monarch. What is it about this place that is special – what keeps us here? What brought us here? What brings the tourists and retirees that drive our economy here? Second - How might those things be impacted by the mega trends we are experiencing – growing population, growing tourism and changes in our forest health? Third – As a united community, what can WE do to ensure that we maintain what is special about Chaffee County as we grow and prosper? How did this get started and who is driving it? . A future built on common ground

Envision Chaffee County - Who Initiated by 9 community members Greg Felt Cindy Williams Wendell Pryor The big idea of Envision Chaffee County is to engage the community to develop an “Envision Chaffee County” Plan – a plan that charts a path forward to 2030 and beyond, delivering specific ways to maintain our key resources while allowing for economic opportunity. So what does all that mean? The program essentially is asking the Community 3 questions: First – what are the big things that make Chaffee County special – when we say “Now THIS is CO what do mean?”. If we think about our valley –from the top of Mt Princeton to the top of Trout Creek Pass, Along the Ark River from BV through our rural landscapes to Salida and up the little Ark to Poncha Springs and Monarch. What is it about this place that is special – what keeps us here? What brought us here? What brings the tourists and retirees that drive our economy here? Second - How might those things be impacted by the mega trends we are experiencing – growing population, growing tourism and changes in our forest health? Third – As a united community, what can WE do to ensure that we maintain what is special about Chaffee County as we grow and prosper? How did this get started and who is driving it? . Funded by LOR Foundation, DOLA and the County Convened by County Commissioners Managed by the Central Colorado Conservancy The Community is driving results – 1,300+ involved A future built on common ground

Envision Chaffee County – Why Chaffee County population is growing; 31% by 2030 and 52% by 2050 The potential challenge to all of these things we hold dear is growth. Chaffee County is experiencing significant growth, and we all feel it. The State Demographer estimates that Chaffee County will grow 31% between 2016 and 2030 (in 14 years!) and 52% by 2050. By 2030 –that is another 6000 people in Chaffee, perhaps 2000 homes, 3000 cars…At the same time Colorado population will have grown by roughly 1.5Million – which will mean more tourism, more cars on the road, more folks on the 14rs etc. That growth is not all bad – it will be tremendous for local business. But we have an opportunity now – at this point in time – to think about how we manage it. Growth has changed the identity of many mountain towns. (Basalt Story) Now is the time to look ahead, engage our community, listen to each other and find common ground around what we want our future to be and how we can create that future, together. Greg – commentary on why this feels like a crucial opportunity or crucial time . So what is Envision Chaffee County going to do? Forests are changing - “2-3 dead trees per acre will grow to over 120 in a few years” Jim Pitts A future built on common ground

Envision Chaffee County How A community effort to maintain the assets citizens value most as we grow The big idea of Envision Chaffee County is to engage the community to develop an “Envision Chaffee County” Plan – a plan that charts a path forward to 2030 and beyond, delivering specific ways to maintain our key resources while allowing for economic opportunity. So what does all that mean? The program essentially is asking the Community 3 questions: First – what are the big things that make Chaffee County special – when we say “Now THIS is CO what do mean?”. If we think about our valley –from the top of Mt Princeton to the top of Trout Creek Pass, Along the Ark River from BV through our rural landscapes to Salida and up the little Ark to Poncha Springs and Monarch. What is it about this place that is special – what keeps us here? What brought us here? What brings the tourists and retirees that drive our economy here? Second - How might those things be impacted by the mega trends we are experiencing – growing population, growing tourism and changes in our forest health? Third – As a united community, what can WE do to ensure that we maintain what is special about Chaffee County as we grow and prosper? How did this get started and who is driving it? . A future built on common ground

Team Members – 560 and growing Envision Chaffee County – Results to Date Survey – 1,203 Interviews – 95 Community Meetings – 160 Team Members – 560 and growing A future built on common ground

Survey Results – Representative 1,203 Community members Age, zip code, employment status match demographics All income brackets significantly represented <$25K incomes earners were below county percentage A future built on common ground

Survey Results Indicate Four Themes Healthy, fire resistant landscapes / balanced recreation An affordable and diverse economy Sustainable agriculture, open rural landscapes and development focused in and around towns A friendly, engaged community Survey + Interviews + Community Meetings form 4 Community Vision Statements A future built on common ground

#1: Forests, waters and wildlife are healthy and in balance with outdoor recreation. Negative impacts from increasing use and the advancing beetle kill epidemic are minimized. A future built on common ground

“Residents can find meaningful jobs and can afford to live here” #2: Community members remain able to live locally and benefit from an increasingly diversified economy “Residents can find meaningful jobs and can afford to live here” A future built on common ground

97% say working lands contribute to Chaffee County’s quality of life #3: Chaffee County has a sustainable agricultural community, open rural landscapes and growth concentrated in and around towns. 97% say working lands contribute to Chaffee County’s quality of life 96% indicate it is important to support working lands and open space A future built on common ground

Caring Friendly Welcoming Involved Safe Culture/Arts #4 Chaffee County is a friendly, supportive community where participation is encouraged and shared cultural elements connect us Caring Friendly Welcoming Involved Safe Culture/Arts Locally owned businesses A future built on common ground

Next Steps A Health Check of the Community Vision

Next Steps – Health Check monitor/dashboard Healthy Landscapes Acres of forest infestation Acres treated to manage fire Wildlife populations Water quality Outdoor recreation quality Livable, Diversified Economy % Housing cost burdened Gross product by industry Age Diversity % workers that commute Agriculture and Open Lands Water rights transfers Town : County population Number of Ag producers/acres Acres in Easement Friendly Community Local businesses Organizational engagement Crime rate Citizen Satisfaction A future built on common ground

How can we involve this group effectively? Next Steps How can we involve this group effectively? How do we connect town and county? How can each of you help us connect? Next Envision Meeting: Jan 12th 8:30 to 12:30 BV A future built on common ground