COLORADO
RESILIENCY FRAMEWORK
What is Resiliency?
The State of Colorado defines resiliency as "the ability of communities to rebound, positively adapt to, or thrive amidst changing conditions or challenges—including human-caused and natural disasters—and to maintain quality of life, healthy growth, durable systems, economic vitality, and conservation of resources for present and future generations."
In order to combat and mitigate the risks of human and natural-caused hazards, Colorado created a resiliency framework for its communities. The framework provides a collaborative forum to assess current risks, as well as establishes a holistic vision of a resilient community and a roadmap for how to get there. The Colorado Resiliency Framework is broken up into six sectors: Economic, Community, Health and Social, Housing, Natural Resources, and Infrastructure.
Source: Colorado Resiliency Office
Economic Resiliency in Craig
The mountain town of Craig, Colorado is suffering tremendous hardships today resulting from decades of human-caused and natural disasters. In order to restore the town's quality of life and economic vitality, it's critical that Craig institutes a resiliency plan similar to the State of Colorado's framework for the Economic sector.
Economic resiliency is defined as the ability of a market to maintain function and absorb rebound from immediate stress or shock. One of Colorado's most abundant economic strengths is the state's natural resources. However, natural resources can also cause economic turmoil in rural areas if a community depends too heavily on their agriculture and extractive industries. Due to Craig's concentrated coal economy, the town and county are extreme vulnerable to volatile economic cycles and pressure from external markets. According to the Colorado Department of Local Affairs Severance Direct Distribution, Moffat County employed 32.8% of the entire state's coal employees back in 2014. As the United States has shifted its concentration away from extractive industries, Craig has lost a significant number of jobs. According to recent 2019 data, over 1,000 residents, about 15% of the workforce, commutes out of the county for work. It was noted that the largest flow of workers is from Moffat County to the resorts of Steamboat Springs. In early September 2016, the Tri-State Generation and Transmission, the operator of the local power plant, announced that it would close a portion of the plant by 2025, translating to 1/3 less coal being required after that year. With the workforce heavily concentrated in coal, reducing demand by 1/3 in 2025 could create irreversible problems if the economy is not better diversified and prepared with a resiliency plan.
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Additionally, economies dependent on natural resources and agriculture are extremely risky and susceptible to decline from natural disasters. The following figure shows the state of Colorado broken up into regions by perceived natural risks. In the upper left corner of the state where the town of Craig resides, the region is most susceptible to landslides, flooding, and wildfire. All three of these natural disasters have the ability to destroy agriculture and wipe away the town's economic stability if the economy is prepared.
Source: Colorado Resiliency Office
What is Resiliency?
The Colorado Resiliency Framework outlines five broad goals for economic resiliency: risk, planning, policy, culture, and investment. Based on these broadly defined objectives, local and regional communities can implement specific goals and objectives that align with the priorities of their specific community. Below is a brief description of each goal and the strategies for implementation.
Reduce Risk
Educate and strengthen the understanding of risks and vulnerabilities to communities.
Enhance Resiliency Planning Capacity
Encourage economic diversification for local communities and provide support for economic mapping.
Develop, Align, and Streamline Policies to Empower Resiliency
Utilize Colorado's Economic Blueprint plans to provide specific pathways for each region to achieve economic success.
Create Culture that Fosters Resiliency
Educate community stakeholders about resiliency policies and programs, and promote regional initiatives for workforce development.
Ingrain Resiliency into Colorado Investments
Create both public and private partnerships to invest in a resilient Colorado.