Lowry land grab endangers smart growth
Environment Colorado decried the Colorado Land Board’s recent decision to sell 3,800 acres of the former Lowry bombing range, a plot of land 20 miles southeast of Denver.
The approval of the Lowry development project is another example of the Land Board’s “build first, ask questions later” mentality. The project was pushed forward without a transportation plan, and without a plan for providing basic necessities like water and waste treatment. Providing these services will cost the state hundreds of millions of dollars.
Environment Colorado opposed the decision, advocating instead for smart growth: building communities that provide better access to public transportation, save money on infrastructure development, and help our state preserve its valuable open space.
Out-of-control development
Costly, unsustainable development projects like new developments in Lowry are precisely why voters cemented their commitment to sustainable growth by passing Amendment 16, which established the Stewardship Trust to protect open space, in 1996. The Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) seconded the support by creating a boundary for growth in 1997.
“The State Land Board’s approval of the Lowry project undermines the wishes of the public and the laws we’ve passed,” said Open Space Advocate Pam Kiely. “What’s worse, the decision sets a bad precedent for future land deals.”
Traffic where transit should be
The state’s sprawling development is also making our transportation problems worse. Studies show that smart growth, paired with public transportation, could play a major role in reducing the number of cars on the road and making commutes shorter. Development projects like the Lowry development, with no public transportation plan, increase air pollution, traffic congestion and commuting time.
Gov. Ritter recently created a panel to explore the state’s options for funding Colorado’s growing transportation needs. Environment Colorado also played a major role in developing Denver’s FasTracks light rail system. The state has invested millions of dollars in the system, and Environment Colorado is advocating its expansion to developing communities.
A smart growth future?
There are still 170 square miles of undeveloped land within the current urban growth boundary. Focusing development on areas within the growth boundary could reduce sprawl, protect Colorado’s beautiful open spaces, and save the region billions of dollars in transportation improvements.
Environment Colorado will be working hard in the upcoming years to promote smarter development, encourage sustained investment in public transportation, and ensure that future Coloradans enjoy the same quality of life we’ve come to expect from the Rocky Mountain State.
Smart growth will help protect Colorado's most beautiful open spaces for future generations.
