The ingredients of a good business climate and high quality of life have changed significantly. In the old economy, a good harbor, a surplus of labor, access to cheap materials and inexpensive energy were the keys to prosperity.
Today's new economy needs well-educated employees that intelligently use the most advanced technology and innovative methods. Studies show that technological innovation and skills are the overwhelmingly dominant factors in making the economy more productive and raising people's incomes.
Nurturing this kind of workforce requires a strong education system and clean environment. Highly-skilled people live here simply because of Colorado's unique setting and moderate climate. The state's appeal is rooted in its recreational opportunities, wildlife and scenic beauty.
Thus, strengthening future economic opportunities and maintaining our state's beautiful scenery are mutually dependent goals. The Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce last year stated that open space must be a priority as a means to strengthen economic opportunity. Boulder's high quality of life and ability to generate of new high-technology, "clean" jobs is a case in point.
Coloradans have a rare opportunity to enhance our economy, preserve our state's natural beauty and boost our public education system. This November 5th, you can help on all three fronts by voting "YES" on Amendment #16.
We need this constitutional amendment because the State Land Board is now mandated to "secure the maximum possible amount" of revenue from these lands. Often, that requirement translates into maximizing immediate revenue in the very short-term.
Otherwise, ugly urban sprawl will run rampant with the state selling off our natural heritage to today's highest bidder. Of the original 4.6 million acres granted to Colorado by the federal government in 1876, only about 3 million remain.
Sales of the public lands are accelerating and the opportunities to preserve open space are dwindling. Over 8,000 acres of public trust lands were sold in 1994 and 1995. Right now, developers are vying for another 60,000 acres of urban open space.
Through this ballot initiative, the scenery of our state will be preserved by more effective management of these remaining three million acres of public trust land - more then ten times the size of Rocky Mountain National Park. Growth will be more effectively managed to protect areas like the beautiful hiking trails in Colorado Springs, the Colorado State Forest west of Fort Collins and Emerald Mountain near Steamboat Springs.
In addition, Coloradans will be given the opportunity to identify and set aside 300,000 acres for open space, generating numerous opportunities to keep agriculture as a way of life and preserve wildlife habitat for future generations. For all the difficulties inherent in managing growth, this measure represents a simple and modest step in helping us to control Colorado's destiny.
On the public education front, this initiative will improve the value of the lands and the revenue they generate to local school districts across Colorado. It will also ensure more legislative accountability and fiscal integrity.
The legislature will no longer be able to reduce the General Fund's commitment to public education dollar-for-dollar based on that year's income from the trust lands. Like they did with requirement that lottery funds must be dedicated to parks, voters must send a message that "bait-and-switch" tactics here must end in this arena as well.
Public schools will now be able to use the lands for future building sites and to support bond issues. Students will have the opportunity to use the lands for outdoor educational purposes, free of charge.
Colorado's future depends greatly on how well we protect our natural beauty, and therefore, our economy. Future generations deserve to have the same basic opportunities we have had - earning a decent living and enjoying this lovely state.
A "Yes" to Amendment #16 will help Colorado achieve both.
Jim Gibson is President of the Colorado Democratic Leadership Council, a think tank of elected officials and activists interested in forging a new agenda for the Democratic Party.