Old Fences, New Neighbors
Decker explains the changes caused by the gentrification that is sweeping even the more remote areas of the American West. The small rural community of Ridgway in Ouray County, Colorado, serves as a microcosm for his examination. In a few years Ridgway has been transformed from a small ranching and mining area to one that is inundated with tourists and where the land is increasingly owned by "gentlemen ranchers." Taxes and technology have changed the economic base, and population growth has made it less viable for the older residents to live and survive. Although the author has ranched in the area for 25 years, he is not from one of the old families with deep roots being forced to abandon their area and way of life. Improved comfort is one of the pluses used to justify the changes. A very interesting examination of a topical subject that raises questions that will not be resolved until tested by time and the vicissitudes of both the economy and the government.Fred Egloff--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.