1. 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

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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 and 2030 (in 14 years!) and 52% by By 2030 –that is another 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. #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

10. “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

11. 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

12. 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

13. Next Steps
A Health Check of the Community Vision

14. 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

15. 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