Since 1970, population growth has accounted for 70 to 90 percent of the loss of open space in Colorado. Attempts to concentrate and direct development into confined, denser areas are not enough to offset the pressures from population growth. Colorado officials can hope only to slow population growth in their jurisdictions if the national population continues to increase by some 2.0 to 2.5 million additional residents each year.
The sole source of long-term population growth in the United States is immigration. Thus, long-term population growth in the United States and Colorado is in the hands of federal policy makers. Until the numerical level of national immigration is lowered, even the best local plans and political commitment will be unable to stop the loss of open space.
