2006 State of the Rockies

Rockies Growing More Than Three Times Faster Than U.S., Report Shows

By Bryan Hurlbutt, 4-16-06

Some still hold a romantic view of the Mountain West as a lawless, backward land of rugged cowboys roaming remote locations, fending for themselves, and living off the land. This report, just released in the 2006 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card, dispels some of these common myths. "Rockies Baseline—Vital Signs for a Region in Transition" shows that in the Rockies region we are well-educated, highly mobile, and for better or worse, most of us work in offices. Additionally, the region’s population is growing over three times faster than that of the U.S. (Click here for the Rockies Baseline section of the report (PDF))

What’s your experience? Do you and your friends work on your own off of the land, or do you work with others in an office? Is the cowboy myth completely wrong, or is it still an important part of understanding the West? Read the report and respond!

Editor's note: The author is the co-author of the 2006 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card. We will be periodically releasing PDFs of the report throughout the next several weeks for you discussion. [End of article]

Comment By BolderX, 4-17-06

Yup, it is quite obvious the traffic has tripled on my daily commute to the "office". Migrated here myself 7+ years ago and although it was more hectic then what I was used to I adjusted rather well. Lately I've been thinking it may be time to migrate again. I'm not saying where I may migrate to because I don't want everyone to follow me!

The cowboys are still here and I am thankful for that when I start up the grill on a Sunday afternoon.

Comment By Bob Kinford, 4-17-06

True most of the people moving inot the Rockies wirk in offices. Hoever there are still those of us who work the rances and farms and are making our living off the land. If it was not for us, and modern genetics, grazing and farming mthods, the rest of you would not be working in your offices.
While we cowboys may be perceived to live a romantic, carefree, lifestyle, there is nothing romantic or carefree about working in sub zero weather, 14 hour days for what averages out to be below minimum wage on an hourly basis.
Many of us are alo well educated as many modern day ranches require help to either have man years experience, or a college degree.
Bob Kinford
VAn Horn, TX
http://www.2lazy4u.us

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