The 2011 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card The Rockies Region, Rockies’ Eastern Plains, Infrastructure, and Recreation An Outreach Activity of Colorado College: Vision 2010 Colorado College’s Rocky Mountain Study Region Montana Helena Boise Wyoming Idaho Nevada Cheyenne Salt Lake City Carson City Denver Utah Colorado Arizona Santa Fe New Mexico Phoenix The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project is designed to provide a thoughtful, objective voice on regional issues by offering credible research on problems faced by the Rocky Mountain West, and by convening citizens and experts to discuss the future of our region. Each year, the State of the Rockies provides: - Opportunities for collaborative student-faculty research partnerships; - An annual State of the Rockies Report Card; - A companion State of the Rockies Speaker Series and Symposium. Taken together, these arms of the State of the Rockies Project offer the tools, forum, and accessibility needed for Colorado College to foster a strong sense of citizenship for both our graduates and the broader regional community. The Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Cover Photo by: An Outreach Activity of Stephen G. Weaver Colorado College Vision 2010 The 2011 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card The Rockies Region, Rockies’ Eastern Plains, Infrastructure, and Recreation Edited By: Walter E. Hecox, Ph.D. Rockies Project Supervisor Russell H. Clarke Rockies Program Coordinator Matthew C. Gottfried GIS Technical Director This eighth annual edition of the State of the Rockies Report Card is dedicated to Richard F. Celeste, Colorado College’s 13th president. His vision and leadership have helped create and nurture the col- lege’s State of the Rockies Project, which has helped reconnect the institution to its regional heritage and provides an opportunity to celebrate its distinctive history. President Celeste’s retirement in June 2011 will bring to an end the fi rst era of Rockies Project activities, and we would like to extend our gratitude and best wishes for his future endeavors. A publication of: Th e Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Environmental Program 14 E. Cache La Poudre St. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 www.coloradocollege.edu/stateoft herockies © April 2011 by the Colorado College State of the Rockies Project. All rights reserved. Contents may not be reproduced in any manner without prior permission of Colorado College ISBN: 978-0-935052-51-0 State of the Rockies Project Acknowledgements For Financial Support During 2010 and 2011 Th e Colorado College State of the Rockies Project would like to thank the following individuals and groups for their generous contributions to help support summer research, publication of report cards, monthly speakers, and conference activities. General Support -Colorado College -Colorado College Cultural Attractions Fund -Michael B. Slade, Colorado College Class of 1979 and Trustee and Megan G. Slade -John B. Troubh, Colorado College Class of 1979 and Louisa Troubh -C. Brant Noziska, Colorado College Class of 1975 -Diane Russell Price, Colorado College Class of 1964 -Moore Charitable Foundation -Charles H. “Chip” Collins Colorado College Class of 1977 and Anne C. Childs Colorado College Class of 1978 -Stephen B. Perry -Jane E.S. Sokolow, Colorado College Class of 1972 -Walter E. and Ann E. Hecox, Colorado College Class of 1964 -Paula J. Wenham, Colorado College Class of 1986 and Richard P. Wenham -Brian G. Hall, Colorado College Class of 2008 -James Collis, Parent Colorado College Class of 2013 -Anonymous (3) Summer Research Support -Th e Loewy Family Fund of the Denver Foundation -Th e Grant Lyddon Foundation of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation © Leah Lieber The 2011 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card- Acknowledgements The 2011 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card- Table of Contents Table of Contents An Introduction from the President – Th e Colorado College State of the Rockies Project: Research, Report, Engage! Richard F. Celeste, President, Colorado College....................................................................................................................................................................... 2 Colorado College, Th e Rocky Mountain West, and Th e State of the Rockies Project 4 Walter E. Hecox, Project Director, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................................................. Editors’ Preface Walter E. Hecox, Project Director, State of the Rockies Project. Russell H. Clarke, Program Coordinator, State of the Rockies Project Matthew C. Gottfried, Technical Liaison, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................................................6 Th e Rockies Region, Rockies’ Eastern Plains, Infrastructure, and Recreation Overview Section: Th e Rockies: A Region Continually Defi ned and Redefi ned by Resources and Environment 10 Walter E. Hecox, Project Director, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................................................. Overview Section: Th e Eastern Plains: Decline and Potential Rejuvenation Case Study: Fowler, Colorado Case Study: Phillips County, Montana Case Study: Powder River Basin, Wyoming Case Study: Judith Gap, Montana Brendan Boepple, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project Rebecca Spira, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project............................................................................................................................................ 20 Overview Section: Infrastructure: Essential Services in Need of Attention Case Study: Silverton’s Last Mile Case Study: Th e Hi-Line: Vital Artery or Bleeding Vein Case Study: I-70: Th e Interstate through the Rockies Jeremiah Cox, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project Anna Johnson, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project........................................................................................................................................... 56 Overview Section: Recreation: Nature Based Recreation in Th e Rockies: Th e New Value of the Region’s Resources Case Study: Where to Draw the Boundaries? A Look at Skiing and Public Lands Case Study: Th e History of Railroads and National Parks Case Study: Recreation and Legal Standing Case Study: Pay-to-Play Case Study: Th e Health of Recreation Case Study: Th e Raft ing and Property Confl ict Case Study: Denver Parks and Recreation Emil Dimantchev, Project Researcher, State of the Rockies Project 90 Zoe Osterman, Student Researcher, State of the Rockies Project........................................................................................................................................... Additional Acknowledgements and Contributors.......................................................................................................................................... 120 Th e Colorado College State of the Rockies Project Research, Report, Engage! An Introduction from the President The 2011 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card © Leah Lieber On behalf of Colorado College, I am especially cultural, and historic importance. These 30 prior studies have proud this year to introduce the 2011 State of the Rockies Re- included regional energy issues, the condition of our national port Card. Nine years ago, in my fi rst year as president, the parks and health of our forests, expected impacts of climate campus undertook a self-examination whose result has been change, success stories among our Native American peoples, embodied in our “Vision 2010” – a roadmap for building upon toxic waste, creative occupations, a host of wildlife topics, agri- our existing strengths and designing new avenues for providing culture in the Rockies, and civic engagement. Media coverage a 21st-century education of distinction. One unique outcome has supplemented our annual conference and speakers series of this introspection is the State of the Rockies Project, now efforts, bringing regional, national and international attention publishing its eighth annual Report Card. to the issues studied and the results found by our undergraduate Having called the Rockies home for more than 130 researchers. We are proud to continue Colorado College’s long years, the college owes an immense debt of gratitude. Indeed tradition of contributing to and strengthening our surrounding our very founding in 1874 came about largely due to General region’s social, economic, and environmental qualities. William Palmer, whose vision and foresight established Colo- This year’s research and resulting published sections rado Springs as a beacon on the eastern plains at the foot of focus on three key dimensions to what makes the Rockies Pikes Peak. The General early on called for an educational unique: rejuvenation of the eastern plains, infrastructure, and institution that has become Colorado College. Over succeed- recreation. The Rocky Mountains serve as a spine to the re- ing decades the region has continued both to shape our unique gion, spectacular but forbidding and diffi cult to navigate. Con- approaches to undergraduate education and to support our lib- quering the region always has depended upon transport and eral arts endeavor. One measure of how important the region communication to connect