New Report in Colorado Springs Shows Strong Public Support for Preserving Farms and Agriculture

A newly released report from the Pikes Peak Community Foundation shows that residents across the Pikes Peak region, specifically in El Paso and Teller counties, deeply value the preservation of local farms and agriculture. The report also showed that residents placed a high priority on more sustainable water use.  In fact, respondents overwhelmingly expressed concern that continued growth is making things worse and the region’s quality of life is at risk because of it.

Through the Our Spacious Skies initiative, community voices were gathered to identify shared priorities for their future. The goal is to help Pikes Peak region local governments, businesses, nonprofits, and philanthropic partners shape their planning and investments around what matters most to their residents.

The question now is simple: If the residents of the Pikes Peak region consistently say they want to protect farms and agricultural landscapes, why are decisions still being made that move the region toward drying them up instead of safeguarding them? Our hope is that decision-makers across Colorado Springs and El Paso County listen to their constituents and recognize that unchecked growth and continued pressure on agricultural water supplies run counter to the community’s clearly stated priorities.

The full report provides important insights for anyone working on growth, water, land use, or community planning in the Pikes Peak region.