Tourists’ and Residents’ Values for Maintaining Working Landscapes of the ‘Old West’

Authors

Lindsey J. Ellingson, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Andrew F. Seidl, Colorado State University

Abstract

The value of agricultural landscapes to tourists and local residents is not captured in the marketplace. Landowners provide stewardship over these valuable landscape attributes, but do not receive any ‘uncaptured’ value. Through real estate markets, it is easy to reveal the value of converting landscapes, but less easy to understand the value of not converting them. Redistributive policies have the potential to provide incentives to landowners to act on behalf of these other stakeholders by lowering the opportunity cost of (raising the returns to) open lands stewardship. This article will examine this issue for a rural county in Colorado. Tourist and resident demographics and travel behavior will be identified. The value of ranch open space that currently is not reflected in the market will be estimated and further discussed in terms of its implications for the local economy. Policy implications for the local decision makers to capture this currently ‘uncaptured’ value of ranch open space will be briefly explored.

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Recommended Citation

Ellingson, Lindsey J. and Seidl, Andrew F. (2009) "Tourists’ and Residents’ Values for Maintaining Working Landscapes of the ‘Old West’," Online Journal of Rural Research & Policy: Vol. 4: Iss. 1. https://doi.org/10.4148/ojrrp.v4i1.49

References

1. Loomis, John B. and Richard G. Walsh. 1997. Recreation Economic Decisions: Comparing Benefits and Costs, 2nd ed. State College, PA: Venture Publishing, Inc.

2. McGranahan, David A. and Patrick Sullivan. February 2005. “Farm Programs, Natural Amenities, and Rural Development.” Amber Waves, Economic Research Services, USDA: 29-35.

3. Whitener, Leslie A. and David A. McGranahan. February 2003. “Rural America: Opportunities and Challenges.” Amber Waves, Economic Research Services, USDA: 15-21.

4. McGranahan, David A. September 1999. “Natural Amenities Drive Rural Population Change.” AER No. 781. Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, USDA. 24pgs.

5. Beale, Calvin L. and Kenneth M. Johnson. 1998. “The Identification of Recreational Counties in Nonmetropolitan Areas of the USA.” Population Research and Policy Review, 17: 37-53.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1023/A:1005741302291

6. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

7. Rosenberger, Randall and Richard Walsh. 1997. “Nonmarket Value of Western Valley Ranchland Using Contingent Valuation.” Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 22 (2): 296-309.

8. Orens, Adam, Andrew Seidl, and Stephan Weiler. 2006. “Winter Tourism and Land Development in Gunnison County, Colorado.” In Thomas Clark, Alison Gill and Rudi Hartmann (Eds.), Mountain Resort Planning and Development in an Era of Globalization (pp. 91-107). Cognizant Communications Corporation.

9. Orens, Adam and Andrew Seidl. 2008. “Working Lands and Winter Tourists in the Rocky Mountain West: A Contingent Behavior, Revealed Preference and Input-Output Analysis.” Tourism Economics. Forthcoming.

10. Magnan, Nicholas and Andrew Seidl. June 2004. “Community Economic Considerations of Tourism Development.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. June 2004-EDR-04-06. 28 pgs.

11. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

12. Rosenberger, Randall and John B. Loomis. 2001. “Benefit Transfer of Outdoor Recreation Use Values: A Technical Document Supporting the Forest Service Strategic Plan” (2000 Revision), General Technical Report RMRS-GTR-72. Fort Collins, CO: USDA Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station.

13. Turner, Monica G., Eugene P. Odum, Robert Costanza and Thomas M. Springer. 1988. “Market and Nonmarket Values of the Georgia Landscape.” Environmental Management, 12(2): 209-217.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/BF01873389

14. McCool, Stephen F. and Michael E. Patterson. 2000. “Trends in Recreation, Tourism and Protected Area Planning.” In William C. Gartner and David W. Lime (Eds.), Trends in Outdoor Recreation, Leisure and Tourism (pp. 111-119). New York: CABI Publishing.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1079/9780851994031.0111

15. Green, Gary Paul. 2001. “Amenities and Community Economic Development: Strategies for Sustainability.” The Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, 31(2): 61-75.

16. Bergstrom, John C., B. L. Dillman and John R. Stoll. July 1985. “Public Environmental Amenity Benefits of Private Land: The Case of Prime Agricultural Land.” Southern Journal of Agricultural Economics, 17(1): 139-149.

17. Nelson, Peter B. 1999. “Quality of Life, Nontraditional Income and Economic Growth: New Development Opportunities for the Rural West.” Rural Development Perspectives, 14(2): 32-37.

18. Beale, Calvin L. and Kenneth M. Johnson. 1998. “The Identification of Recreational Counties in Nonmetropolitan Areas of the USA.” Population Research and Policy Review, 17: 37-53.

19. Green, Gary Paul. 2001. “Amenities and Community Economic Development: Strategies for Sustainability.” The Journal of Regional Analysis and Policy, 31(2): 61-75.

20. Marcouiller, David W. and Greg Clendenning. 2005. “The Supply of Natural Amenities: Moving from Empirical Anecdotes to a Theoretical Basis.” In Gary Paul Green, Steven C. Deller and David W. Marcouiller (Eds.), Amenities and Rural Development: Theory, Methods and Public Policy (pp. 6-32). Northampton, MA: Edward Elgar Publishing, Inc.

21. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

22. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

23. McGranahan, David A. September 1999. “Natural Amenities Drive Rural Population Change.” AER No. 781. Food and Rural Economics Division, Economic Research Service, USDA. 24pgs.

24. McGranahan, David A. and Patrick Sullivan. February 2005. “Farm Programs, Natural Amenities, and Rural Development.” Amber Waves, Economic Research Services, USDA: 29-35.

25. Whitener, Leslie A. and David A. McGranahan. February 2003. “Rural America: Opportunities and Challenges.” Amber Waves, Economic Research Services, USDA: 15-21.

26. Nelson, Peter B. 1999. “Quality of Life, Nontraditional Income and Economic Growth: New Development Opportunities for the Rural West.” Rural Development Perspectives, 14(2): 32-37.

27. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

28. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

29. Greenwood, Daphne and Tom Brown. undated. An Overview of Colorado’s State and Local Tax Structures, Center for Colorado Policy Studies. Accessed at http://web.uccs.edu/ccps/pdf/Tax%20Overview%20Article.PDF. Accessed November 2003.

30. Magnan, Nicholas and Andrew Seidl. June 2004. “Community Economic Considerations of Tourism Development.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. June 2004-EDR-04-06. 28 pgs.

31. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

32. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

33. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

34. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

35. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

36. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

37. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

38. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

39. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

40. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

41. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

42. U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/08107.html. Accessed January 2005.

43. U.S. Census Bureau. Accessed at: http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/08/08107.html. Accessed January 2005.

44. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

45. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

46. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.

47. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

48. Evans Hall, Sandy. Steamboat Springs Chamber of Commerce. Conversation on May 22, 2006.

49. Colorado State Parks. 2005. Steamboat Lake State Park FY04-05 Park Facts. Accessed at http://www.parks.state.co.us/home/publications/Fact_Sheets/0405_Fact_Sheet/Steamboat_06.pdf. Accessed on May 22, 2006. Colorado State Parks. 2005. Stagecoach State Park FY04-05 Park Facts. Accessed at http://www.parks.state.co.us/home/publications/Fact_Sheets/0405_Fact_Sheet/Stagecoach_06.pdf. Accessed on May 22, 2006.

50. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

51. Kiker, Clyde and Alan W. Hodges. December 2002. “Economic Benefits of Natural Land Conservation: Case Study of Northeast Florida.” Final Report Submitted to Defenders of Wildlife in Fulfillment of Sponsored Project Agreement. 70pgs.

52. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

53. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

54. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

55. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

56. Willis, Ken G. and Guy D. Garrod. 1993. “Valuing Landscape: A Contingent Valuation Approach.” Journal of Environmental Management, 37: 1-22.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1006/jema.1993.1001

57. Magnan, Nicholas, Andrew Seidl, C.J. Mucklow, and Deborah Alpe. October 2005. “The Societal Value of Ranchlands to Routt County Residents, 1995-2005.” Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Cooperative Extension, Colorado State University. October 2005-EDR 05-01. 13 pgs.

58. Ellingson, Lindsey J. 2007. “Comparing Methodologies to Estimate Tourists‟ Nonconsumptive Use Values of Recreation, Roadways and Ranches: International and Domestic Applications.” PhD Dissertation, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 201 pgs.

59. Magnan, Nicholas. Fall 2005. “The Economic Value of Ranch Open Space to Residents: A Contingent Valuation Study of Changes Over the Past Decade.” Master‟s Thesis, Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO: 112 pgs.