Regional Sprawl in the Northern Colorado Front Range

Abstract

Regional sprawl is a pressing concern of a community organization in a growing region of Northern Colorado. This thesis is an action research project that empirically analyzes population and housing characteristics, over time, in the three counties where the organization members reside. Beginning with a review of sprawl’s definitions, methods for measuring sprawl, and purported effects of the phenomenon, this thesis uses factors associated with sprawl to designate disaggregated geographic areas based on their association (or lack of association) with sprawl. Multivariate analyses of the population and housing characteristics are then carried out. The results lead to questions of segregation and displacement, based on race and class. Additional analysis of data follows, along with a brief case study of a community of low-income residents in the Front Range. Conclusions include the fact that sprawl is an engine for the elimination of affordability, and segregation by class and race. Recommendations are made for actions that might lead to changes in local and regional patterns of community development.