ABQjournal: ABQ 2nd in Sprawl in Rockies StudyBy Jim Ludwick, Journal Staff Writer

The Albuquerque area ranks second in the Rocky Mountains for its urban sprawl, according to a new study from Colorado College.

Only Pueblo, Colo., has more sprawl than Albuquerque, the study says. Colorado Springs, where the college is based, falls just behind Albuquerque.

The report was released this week at the State of the Rockies Conference on the campus of Colorado College.

Researchers used census data and computer mapping to study residential housing density, as well as changes in metropolitan areas from the 1970s to the 1990s. The study compared the 11 largest cities in an area including Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming.

ABQjournal: SF Ranks Third for Regional Small-City Sprawl By John T. Huddy, Journal Staff Writer

Santa Fe has the third-worst urban sprawl among 10 small metropolitan cities in the Rocky Mountain Region of states, according to the 2005 Colorado College State of the Rockies Report Card.

The report evaluates sprawl, pollution and socioeconomic issues in the Rocky Mountain region’s eight states — Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.

Outranking Santa Fe as the worst for sprawl is Grand Junction, Colo., No. 1 on the list, and Flagstaff, Ariz., which is second.