Reports
Current Report:
Past Reports:
2008 Quality of Life Report
2008 Community Vision Survey – PowerPoint
2008 Community Vision Survey – Topline Results
2007 Quality of Life Report
Indicators and Vision Councils
In 2006, Pikes Peak United Way invited more than 100 interested community leaders to join Vision Councils to address one of nine different areas and provide the guidance and vision for the reports. These leaders were drawn from the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. While they represent diverse interests, they share a passion for making the Pikes Peak region the best it can be.
The data, or indicators, are quantitative measures of the quality of community life. They reflect a combination of idealism (what we would like to measure) and pragmatism (what we are able to measure) in nine different categories, which reflect a comprehensive view of the community. It is clear that ignoring any one of these areas has a negative ripple effect on the others. In turn, when these areas are strong they positively influence our lives in a variety of ways.
These categories cover a variety of issues that the community can improve through public decision making and action. They also point to ways we can support one another in making positive choices as individuals. Our hope is that by tracking data over time, the report helps the community understand who we are, where we’ve been and where we’re going.The categories include…
Growing a Vibrant Economy:
The national and local economies are currently experiencing a significant slowdown. As growth in the economy decreases and costs rise, there is less money to support those agencies that are critical to maintaining and improving our quality of life. We are proud of the broad growth in the military presence in the region over the last 5 years. While continuing to support this vital part of our economy, we must grow existing industries and work to attract new businesses that provide high paying, good opportunities for our citizens, bringing money in to our area to ensure a robust economy to assure our future vitality. Download report >>
Promoting Social Well Being:
As a community we recognize that there are several aspects of individuals’ personal lives that impact the quality of life for all of us and require coordinated community efforts to make positive change. Children are the future of every community, and families are the basic building blocks of society. Healthy, successful children, strong families, and thriving older adults are fundamental in promoting social wellbeing. The inability to pay for basic needs such as housing and childcare threaten social wellbeing by putting excess strain on individuals and families. Drug and alcohol abuse result in a variety of tragic problems for individuals and society alike. Download report >>
Preserving the Natural Environment:
Time Magazine is quoted as saying, “Don’t blow it, good planets are hard to find.” This is true for our beautiful community. If we take for granted the natural resources and beauty of our area and not understand and protect them, we risk losing or degrading these resources for future generations. Our environment is tied to many other aspects of our community and thus many other vision councils:
- Transportation – air and water quality
- Education – experiential environmental learning improves science standardized testing scores
- Health – air and water quality, and contact with natural settings reduces stress
- Wellbeing – natural settings promote happiness and healthy living
- Arts – nature continues to be one of the greatest sources of inspiration
- Economy – conservation and sustainability attract global businesses.
Sustaining a Healthy Community:
As a community, we understand the importance of good physical and mental health and the need for everyone to have access to quality healthcare, regardless of income level. Health difficulties can impact everything from family budgets to the local economy, and often make it more difficult for individuals to participate as full members of society. Download report >>
Achieving Educational Excellence:
Educational excellence is not simply about acquiring knowledge, but also about honing critical thinking skills, learning appropriate social behavior and being exposed to new ideas and innovation. Achieving said excellence is a process that begins the moment a child is born, and continues through adulthood. A quality education is vital to a person’s quality of life, and allows them the opportunity to contribute to their community in a meaningful way. Download report >>
Enjoying Arts, Culture and Recreation:
Arts, culture and recreation play an important role in our quality of life by providing entertainment and opportunities to come together as a community, promoting physical and mental health, and benefiting our economy. The following indicators help us understand what arts, culture and recreational opportunities exist, how they are supported, and whether we participate. Download report >>
Moving Around Efficiently:
Efficiently and effectively moving people and goods is vital to a good regional quality of life. With the passage of the Pikes Peak Rural Transportation Authority (PPRTA), the regional transportation system has crossed the threshold into a new period of innovation and investment aimed at reducing the backlog of transportation system needs. As the backlog of needs is reduced, the benefits from future investments could include long-term economic productivity, enhanced competitiveness, and improved quality of life for all citizens in the region. Download report >>
Keeping the Community Safe:
A community’s crime rate is impacted not only by availability of jobs, wages and education levels, but also by public safety strategies employed to prevent crime and the tax dollars available to fund those strategies. It is well documented that substance abuse plays a role in crime. DUI, juvenile crime and repeat offenders impact public costs of victimization and enforcement. El Paso County Sheriff’s Office Detention Bureau Chief Presley says, “An average of 80 to 85% of those incarcerated in El Paso County have some type of chemical dependency.” Offering inmates substance abuse and mental health treatment as well as life skills and job training are prevention measures that have a price tag, but can both reduce the number of victims and the cost of incarceration. Download report >>
Fostering Community Engagement:
In order to be inclusive, democratic and effective, communities require the involvement and engagement of all residents. When people are well-informed, vote, donate time and money to local organizations, work together with their neighbors, act as leaders, and meet together in public spaces, the entire community benefits. With engagement comes knowledge about one another’s successes, challenges and lifestyles. When people care about one another and community issues, and act upon that concern, it increases the quality of life for everyone. Download report >>
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