environment
a safe and resilient natural and built environment
desired outcomes
The region has clean water and air, and lower greenhouse gas emissions.
The region meets or exceeds applicable federal, state, and local requirements and regional targets for air and water quality.
The region values, protects and connects people to its diverse natural resource areas, open space, parks and trails.
The region’s protection and restoration of its diverse natural resource areas—its mountain backdrop, unique prairie landscapes, extensive riparian corridors and other open space areas, parks and trails—is essential as the region continues to grow. Access to these areas provides the opportunity to participate in a variety of recreational pursuits that support physical and mental health and wellness.
The region’s working agricultural lands and activities contribute to a strong regional food system.
Working agricultural lands are essential to the region’s heritage, health and economic and cultural diversity. Livestock feeding and production, growing feed and forage crops for livestock, food production, or greenhouse and nursery crops, agricultural lands and operations of all sizes create jobs in the region, support economic vitality and promote healthier communities by bringing people closer to their food source.
The risks and effects of natural and human-created hazards are reduced.
Hazard mitigation planning reduces injuries and loss of life, trauma, and damage to property, equipment and infrastructure. Communities are more resilient when planning also accounts for disaster response and recovery.
NICHE: Coordinated Strategies to Address Public Safety and Natural Resource Preservation
The Interagency Council on Homeless Encampments (NICHE) is a collaborative effort to build trust and dialogue between community members, local law enforcement and groups that manage public lands. The work of NICHE focuses on the intersection of natural resource preservation and public health and safety in the unique context of our region’s mountain communities. Outcomes of the program have progressed the conversation around best practices for outreach and education.
performance measures
Performance measures are critically important in monitoring the region’s progress toward Metro Vision themes and outcomes. They are used to obtain regular measurement of outcomes and results. They also generate reliable data to help local governments and partners evaluate policies, programs and initiatives. As part of its reporting on plan progress toward a safe and resilient natural and built environment, DRCOG will use the performance measures outlined below.
surface transportation greenhouse gas (ghg)
pounds of carbon dioxide equivalent GHG emissions per capita per day
2010 Baseline | 26.1
2015 Observation | 24.9
2040 Target | 60%
decrease from 2010
protected open space
square miles
2014 Baseline | 1,724
2019 Observation | 1,768
2040 Target | 1,980
housing in high-risk areas
share of total housing
2014 Baseline | 1.10%
2019 Observation | 0.92%
2040 Target | Less than 0.90%
employment in high-risk areas
share of total employment
2014 Baseline | 2.84%
2019 Observation | 3.02%
2040 Target | less than 2.50%
comprehensive performance measures status report
discover more
Find current and past plans, data, research, reports, presentations and events to improve your ability to get involved and stay active in creating and sustaining a safe and resilient natural and built environment.
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Denver, CO 80202
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©2019 DRCOG