2014 Gateway Community Livability Assessment & Recommendations Report GRAND LAKE, COLORADO This report prepared by The Conservation Fund in collaboration with the Federal Highway Administration. Federal Lands Livability Initiative REPORT PREPARED BY: CONSERVATION LEADERSHIP NETWORK The Conservation Fund (TCF) is a national non-profit environmental organization that has protected over 7 million acres of land and water in all 50 states. Working with community, government and business partners, TCF strives to balance economic and environmental goals. TCF’s Conservation Leadership Network is a team of experts that brings diverse professionals together to forge conservation solutions. The Conservation Leadership Network assists communities plan for the future, connect regions, develop leaders, and balance nature and commerce. IN COLLABORATION WITH: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) provides stewardship over the construction, maintenance and preservation of the Nation’s highways, bridges and tunnels. FHWA also conducts research and provides technical assistance to state and local agencies in an effort to improve safety, mobility, and livability and encourage innovation. Cover photos courtesy of (counter-clockwise): Town of Grand Lake, Grand Lake Yacht Club, The Conservation Fund, and Town of Grand Lake. Copyright provided for photos throughout document, those not attributed are courtesy of The Conservation Fund (Kendra Briechle & Katie Allen) and are taken in and around Grand Lake, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park, and Arapaho National Recreation Area. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY In 2009, the U.S. Department of Transportation, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development created the Partnership for Sustainable Communities “to help improve access to affordable housing, more transportation options, and lower transportation costs while protecting the environment in communities nationwide” (http://www.sustainablecommunities.gov). Through the goals of this partnership, the federal government has committed significant resources and attention to implementing livability in state and local governments. This Federal Lands Livability Initiative, a research project led by the Federal Highway Administration’s Federal Lands Highway Program, is an extension of the Partnership for Sustainable Communities and provides an opportunity to direct attention to livability beyond urban areas and focus on America’s gateway communities—communities that exist in close proximity to public land. Gateway communities are often affected by decisions made by managers of the surrounding public lands. The decisions of leaders of gateway communities similarly may affect the management of resources on adjacent public lands. Gateway communities also often support public lands by offering unique recreational and cultural heritage experiences and providing essential services, such as food and lodging, to visitors. Transportation access between gateway communities and neighboring public lands is integral to health and viability of each. Hence, special emphasis is made on transportation for the Federal Lands Livability Initiative. Livability in gateway communities relies heavily on the coordinated decision-making and partnership between community leaders and public land managers. This Livability Assessment and Recommendations report is the result of an evaluation of natural, cultural, physical (infrastructure), commercial, and economic health of the gateway community and surrounding landscape, and their relationship to six principles of livability: 1. Provide more transportation choices for residents, workers, and visitors. 2. Promote equitable, affordable housing and lodging choices that meet the needs of residents, workers and visitors. 3. Enhance economic competitiveness by valuing the public lands and natural, cultural, recreational, and environmental assets associated with the gateway community. 4. Support existing gateway communities and sustain their unique character. 5. Coordinate policies and leverage investments within the community and between the gateway community and public lands. 6. Value communities, neighborhoods and landscapes and the area’s natural, cultural heritage, and recreational assets that foster social, economic, and public health. i A Livability Assessment Team, comprised of representatives of The Conservation Fund and the Federal Highway Administration, gathered information from background materials, community leaders, stakeholders, and site visits to provide this assessment as a tool to assist Grand Lake, Colorado, and its public land partners support and enhance livability in their area. RMNP ANF © Grand Lake Chamber of Commerce GRAND LAKE, COLORADO—GATEWAY TO ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK The gateway community of Grand Lake, Colorado and its partner, the Rocky Mountain National Park, were selected from the pool of applicants due to their demonstrated commitment to partnership with surrounding public land managers and recent efforts to invest in livability improvements. Rocky Mountain National Park and the neighboring Arapaho National Forest and Arapaho National Recreation Area share borders with the town of Grand Lake, which has led to a long-time partnership in the management and maintenance of public land in and around the town and shared responsibility for parking lots, boat access, day-use areas, trailheads, and other facilities. As a key example, Grand Lake manages Arapaho National Recreation Area’s Point Park and provides bathroom servicing, snow removal, and reservations, allowing ANRA to benefit by not having to budget for day-to-day operations and maintenance and keeping Point Park fee-free area. Grand Lake community residents, in partnership with the town and the U.S. Forest Service, have taken the initiative to raise and leverage funds to improve access and facilities to meet ADA regulations at Point Park. Additionally, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation ii (BOR) operates their Colorado Big Thompson Project in Grand Lake and RMNP and the town have an agreement with BOR to manage BOR land at the east end of the lake for recreational use. In March 2013, the town of Grand Lake hosted a downtown assessment from Downtown Colorado, Inc., a process partially sponsored by the USDA Rural Development’s Rural Community Development Initiative and completed in collaboration with the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade and the Colorado Department of Local Affairs. This project was completed separate from the Livability Assessment. Project staff worked with community leaders and stakeholders to provide observations and recommendations for supporting local businesses and overall vibrancy of the downtown area. Because having a thriving downtown area is a key component of community livability, many of the recommendations of the 2013 Downtown Assessment are echoed throughout this report. The assessment visit to Grand Lake, Colorado was conducted September 17–20, 2013. The Livability Assessment Team appreciated the opportunity to learn about Grand Lake and engage in discussions about livability with residents, stakeholders, and community leaders. Most notably, team members were impressed by the continued mutual support between the town of Grand Lake and surrounding public lands and the great sense of pride residents and visitors have for the town and its qualities and amenities. KEY OBSERVATIONS Over the course of the four-day site visit in Grand Lake, review of area plans and materials, and other interviews and research, the Livability Assessment Team made the following observations regarding key opportunities and challenges associated with livability: Key elements that define Grand Lake include the rustic charm of the downtown area and the natural beauty of the surrounding landscapes, both of which are highly valued by residents and visitors. The downtown is compact, walkable, and attractive—a great destination. Sustainable recreational activities are abundant and attract visitors to support the local economy. The peak seasonality of these activities in the summer and winter helps area businesses succeed, however; there is great need to support initiatives that will help Grand Lake grow into a year-round destination and a thriving economy. The majority of residents are second homeowners, which drives up home prices. There is a need for affordable housing for those who want to live and work in Grand Lake year-round or during peak seasons. Federal policy and regulation restricting recreational use and access on federal lands has perceived impacts on tourism and the local economy. iii PRIORITY RECOMMENDATIONS Based on our findings, the Livability Assessment Team offers the following priority recommendations. These recommendations and others are expanded in the report. Capture data associated with livability. Qualitatively and quantitatively demonstrating the need for improvements is key to leveraging partnerships and investments. Data should be collected regarding recreational users (number of bicyclists, runners, snowmobilers, cross-country skiers, etc.), economic impacts of sustainable tourism industry (lodging, services, outfitting, etc.), housing supply and gaps, and traffic patterns and flow between town and public lands. Strategically prioritize short- and long-term projects for implementation. Grand Lake, in partnership with its surrounding public lands, has made tremendous strides and undertaken a great deal of planning to identify a range of potential