TOWARD A DEFINITION OF SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT IN THE YAMPA VALLEY OFCOLORADO

Intensive tourism development in the town of Steamboat Springs and the surrounding Yampa Valley threatens to change the conditions that attr acted visitors in the first place. This paper addresses a definition o f sustainable development as the baseline for development in the valle y. The historic evolution of the area is traced relative to social, ec onomic, and natural environmental conditions. A set of indices that ar e typically used to determine carrying capacity for sustainable develo pment are outlined. However, these quantitative indices do not form a definitive measure of sustainability. Based on a study of present land -use procedures and recent projects, qualitative indices supported by public opinion are found to be the determinants of acceptable levels o f development in the valley. In addition, development in Steamboat Spr ings is found to have effects throughout the valley. Sustainability is thus defined by qualitative indices supported by public opinion and m ust be understood in the context of a valley-wide system.