Decreasing Snowpack

Colorado’s economy benefits greatly from the winter ski recreation and tourism that hinges on the abundance and duration of snow. Increasing temperatures in the region will cause precipitation to fall more frequently as rain instead of snow, leading to a projected decrease in total snowpack in Eagle County by 57% by 2085 [3]. The snow season was shortened by an average of 34 days in the U.S. between 1982 and 2016, and total snow amount decreased by up to 41% in some areas [4]. A shortened snow season could have serious impacts to the County’s ski and winter tourism industries with ripple effects into other dominant industries in the region.

Increasing Drought

While drought is a natural part of the Colorado climate, ongoing drought can have lasting impacts on water-intensive activities such as agriculture, wildfire protection, commerce, tourism, recreation, and wildlife preservation [5]. A drought may also increase the speed at which dead and fallen trees dry out and become more potent fuel sources for wildfires as well as make trees more susceptible to insect infestations. The cost of forest thinning and management on ski resorts and other private lands can cost up to $100 per tree [3].

Increasing wildfire risk

Wildfires jeopardize the health and safety, as well as economic viability, of Eagle county. In addition to the ski resort areas, the region supports vital habitat for fish and wildlife that draw thousands of tourists every year for fishing and hunting that contribute $1 billion to the state’s economy [3]. Wildfires also cause closures to national parks, resulting in lost revenue from tourism. Property values and tax revenue also decrease in the wake of wildfires and directly impacts the local economy [6]. 

Expand community engagement and education focused on behavior changes that enhance resilience and sustainability. 

How It Helps: Truly building resilience will require working together. Expanding engagement and developing educational materials will increase the understanding of what it means to be resilient and promote actions residents and visitors can take to contribute to the sustainability and resilience of the county.

Actions:

• Develop and cultivate partnerships between local towns, resort businesses, and others to support the expansion of economic opportunities. 

• Educate residents and tourists on ways to reduce environmental impacts of consumer decisions. 

• Convene working groups of individuals and organizations related to each climate impact to advance the work of various strategies.

Support the financial stability of frontline families and communities.

How It Helps: Frontline families and communities are those who experience the first and often worst effects of extreme weather events. They have less resources to allow them to cope with a disaster or to invest in future preparedness. Enhancing financial stability will also relieve physical and mental health stresses on those families and help them respond and bounce back better after natural disasters.

Actions:

• Develop a County-level emergency fund that displaced populations can utilize in case of emergencies. 

• Ensure that displaced renters, not just homeowners, are protected and supported in a post-fire economy. 

• Expand access to affordable and long-term housing and childcare for first responders and response and recovery partners.

Support affordable housing and living wages for all residents.

How It Helps: A chain is only as strong as its weakest link. Investing in and building the vibrant and diverse county that we all want will require investing in the people that call the county home. Affordable housing and living wages enhance resilience by reducing financial stresses on families, allowing them to invest more in their homes, participate in our communities, and put down roots in the county. An investment in the people who make Eagle County’s economy work will promote and encourage the development of the stable and dedicated workforce required for a thriving economy.

Actions:

• Support affordable housing for resort/seasonal employees. 

• Improve affordable housing opportunities and target wage disparity that reflects the cost of living in the valley so frontline communities are better equipped financially if disaster occurs.

• Identify, develop, and implement public/private partnerships for home retrofits and improvements aimed at energy efficiency and wildfire preparedness.

Support the growth of a diverse economy.

How It Helps: Diversity is a hallmark of resilience. A diverse economy is not overly reliant on a single sector (or a single season) to generate income and employment for the residents of the county. A diverse economy is better able to withstand economic downturns or shifting public preferences. A diverse economy provides meaningful employment to all different types of people with a variety of professional interests and creates a more vibrant social fabric for the communities in the county.

Actions:

• Promote a community-wide, integrated marketing strategy that highlights what makes Eagle County great, special, and worth visiting. 

• Diversify work opportunities away from recreation tourism by attracting year-round employers to Eagle County. 

• Create a ‘resilient Eagle County brand’ using storytelling to represent the benefits investing in building resilience in Eagle County to residents and guests.