Tuesday’s forum to look at state economy

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DAILY NEWS STAFF REPORT
April 29, 2008

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SUMMIT COUNTY — How can Colorado’s mountain communities manage commercial and residential growth in the face of chronic shortfalls in the state’s operating budget?

Our Future Summit is holding a conversation about these challenges at a public forum from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, May 8, in the Summit County Community and Senior Center near Frisco.

Two experts familiar with the long term implications of Colorado’s growing population and inadequate revenues to pay for public services will share their input.

Jim Westkott, senior demographer with the Colorado Demography Office, will address the dynamics and complexity of growth in resort communities as exhibited by “residential economic drivers,” which consist mainly of second homes, but they also include retirees and Internet-based remote workers.

Carol Hedges, a senior policy analyst with the Colorado Fiscal Policy Institute, is a recognized expert on the effects of Colorado’s TABOR amendment. Her current research explores spending and taxation in Colorado in light of fairness, efficiency and adequacy. Her most recent report is entitled “Aiming for the Middle, Benchmarks for Colorado’s Future.”