Here’s a reminder that we live in a beautiful place: The U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service ranked La Plata County high on its “natural amenities index” in 1999, and it sees no reason to change it because of some orange water.
The index was created by David A. McGranahan to explain why, between 1970 and 1996, some counties’ populations increased by 1 percent, while others increased by as much as 120 percent.
All of Southwest Colorado fell into the higher end of the 3,111 counties in the U.S. for climate – mild, sunny winters, temperate winters, low humidity – topographic variation and access to a body of water, with La Plata County 69th on the list. The champion of Southwest Colorado is San Juan County, ranking 30th in the country.
Best place to live in the U.S. for scenery and climate? Ventura County, California. And folks in Red Lake County, Minnesota, might want to start packing, as their county ranks last.
Herald Staff
