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Utah

New research shows where wildfire mitigation can be highly cost effective

January 2023

Illustration of wildfire in forest, orange and yellow flames lapping conifer trees on a hillside, Stable Diffusion generated.

The United States is spending billions of dollars on suppressing wildfires that threaten a growing number of homes, but very little on better preparing communities before a wildfire occurs.

Economic Impact of National Parks

September 2022

Millions of national park visitors generate economic opportunities for gateway communities, spending money that creates jobs and income. See the trends for every national park service unit.

Tension as Catalyst: Public Lands and the Rural West

March 2020

Aerial view of rural town in Montana. (Martinsdale, MT)

View a presentation given at the Our America’s Rural Opportunity forum about the context of public lands and the rural west.

The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Utah

April 2019

In Utah, snowmobile use generates substantial economic activity that is concentrated in the population centers along the Wasatch Front and accrues largely to equipment, gasoline, and food retailers. Snowmobile registrations have been steady over the past two decades while the state’s population has grown, showing a decline in participation rates across the state.

The Economic Value of Public Lands in Grand County, Utah

March 2015

economic grand county

This updated report analyzes the economic value of public lands in Grand County, Utah and the important role that these lands play for local businesses and the well-being of the region’s economy.

The Economic Benefits of Mountain Biking at One of Its Meccas: An Application of the Travel Cost Method to Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah

February 2015

This study found that the Slickrock Trail, a world-famous mountain bike trail in Moab, Utah, draws a large number of avid users annually, who are willing to travel long distances and spend large sums to reach it. Because access fees are a relatively low portion of overall trip cost, visitation rates are unlikely to change much even if they are increased.

Estimating the Recreation Demand and Economic Value of Mountain Biking in Moab, Utah: An Application of Count Data Models

February 2015

This study found that mountain bikers visiting the Moab, Utah trail system spent an average of $282 per trip and visited 2.5 times per year. Rather than a specific trail, as was studied in the Fix and Loomis (1997) Slickrock Trail study, this study evaluated the benefits of the Moab area’s whole mountain bike trail system.

West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Utah Jobs and Higher Incomes

November 2012

Map of state outline: Utah

Utah has been a national leader in economic growth during the past decade. This report looks at the state’s economy and the role of protected public lands.

Report: The Status of Utah’s Oil and Gas Industry

February 2012

drilling rig in Utah

This graphical analysis shows that Utah’s oil and gas industry was recovering at the time of the report.

County Level Drilling Activity, 2001-2011

February 2012

Image of rig count interactive

This report focuses on county-level details of drilling rig activity for the period 2001 to 2011 in the six Rocky Mountain oil and gas states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.

Public Lands Ranching in Southern Utah

October 2011

A report on public lands ranching in southern Utah.

Fossil Fuel Extraction and Western Economies

April 2011

Rig Worker in Western Colorado

This study analyzes the fossil fuel economy in five Rocky Mountain states—CO, MT, NM, UT, and WY—and how states and communities can maximize benefits and minimize the costs of energy development.

Clean Energy Leadership in the Rockies: Competitive Positioning in the Emerging Green Economy

June 2010

The Clean Energy report compares how Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are taking advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities to create green jobs.

Development Timeline: Oil Shale Activities in Colorado and Utah

January 2010

While a handful of companies reported being active in the field-testing of new technologies in 2009, only one company had announced plans to upscale to a prototype (semi-works scale) facility.

Press Release: Clean Energy in the Rockies Report Released

October 2009

Study Shows Which States Are Attracting Jobs, Businesses, and Investment; Five Key Steps to Future Growth

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