We have seen that already. If somewhat less friendly, La Plata County will be a more interesting place to live. Natural resources led to the settlement of La Plata County 120 years ago. The Denver and Rio Grande Railroad arrived to supply the silver miners and to haul out their ore. Sawmills harvested timber for the mines, the railroad and construction, and ranches provided beef.
Sawmills exist today, but they are fewer.
The largest, in adjoining Montezuma County, produces insulation material from a weed, aspen. At the beginning of the 21st Century La Plata County enjoys sitting atop a rich natural gas field. For the past 10 years, taxes on gas production and equipment have paid the bills. County roads are in such good shape that a major promotional campaign slowed drivers, cash flow is reshaping the fairgrounds into a modern outdoor recreational facility, and there is no talk of raising the very low property tax mill levy. And unlike miners, ranchers and loggers who sweated mightily for their paychecks from the land, gas royalty owners have only to walk to the mailbox.