Colorado Voters Across Political Spectrum Agree: Our Public Lands are Essential to Our Economy

Colorado College Survey Finds Strong Support For Investments, Protections For Colorado’s Land, Air And Water

The results from the 2012 Colorado College State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll find that Colorado voters across the political spectrum – from Tea Party supporters to those who identify with the Occupy Wall Street movement and voters in-between – view Colorado’s parks and public lands as essential to their state’s economy and want to see clean air, clean water, natural areas and wildlife funded and protected.

The survey, completed by Lori Weigel of Public Opinion Strategies (a Republican firm) and Dave Metz of Fairbank, Maslin, Maullin, Metz & Associates (a Democratic firm), found that nearly 8 in 10 Colorado voters view having a strong economy and protecting land and water as compatible. Voters are near-unanimous in their view that Colorado’s national parks, forests, monuments, and wildlife areas are an essential part of the state economy, and residents’ quality of life.

“We know that visitors come to Durango because of all of the outdoor opportunities they can experience in our backyard. For our business, protecting land and the Colorado River is part of our business model,” said Kirk Komich, owner of the Leeland House and Rochester Hotel in Durango.

Two-thirds of Colorado voters want to reduce America’s need for coal, oil and gas by expanding use of clean, renewable energy — which they see as a local job creator; the same percentage of voters do not want corporate profit and development of public lands to limit public access. Three in four voters want to uphold industry regulations that protect Colorado’s land, air, and water, and see these regulations as having a positive impact on the natural beauty of their state, and their quality of life.

“Coloradans love this state because of the outdoor recreational opportunities, including hunting, fishing, and wildlife-watching,” said Suzanne O’Neill, director of the Colorado Wildlife Federation. “Protecting our land, clean air, and streams requires balancing energy development on public lands with safeguards for important wildlife habitat and open space for all of us to access and enjoy.” 

The “Conservation in the West Survey” by Colorado College may be found online at: www.coloradocollege.edu