Innovation in Land Use Governance and Protection: The Case of Great Outdoors Colorado

Land use governance in the United States traditionally has taken a centralized or decentralized form. This research documents a perceived innovation in land use governance that combines centralized and decentralized approaches—Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO). Using criteria from the extant literature on growth management and land protection, this research provides a framework for evaluating land protection efforts. The perceived innovation of GOCO is evaluated within this framework. Clear innovations associated with the GOCO program include (a) more appropriate land protection efforts, (b) the cultivation of political support for the projects, (c) a dedicated funding source, and (d) a greater likelihood of implementation and enforcement over centralized or decentralized approaches. The GOCO program could use additional innovation in the way it addresses regional areas of concern and the provision of technical expertise. © 2000, Sage Publications. All rights reserved.

Duke Scholars

Author Toddi Steelman Environmental Social Systems