Daphne Greenwood
January 30, 2008 | 
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Daphne Greenwood is a professor of Economics at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs. She has taught at UCCS for more than 20 years. In addition to being an academic, she has real-world experience in the analysis and development of economic policies in the City of Colorado Springs as well as the State of Colorado. Dr. Greenwood was a member of the Colorado State Legislature from 1990 to 1994.
CSR+: Tell us about the Center for Colorado Policy that you direct.
Greenwood: Our Center for Colorado Policy Studies is devoted to applying economic principles and research results to critical policy issues at the state and local level. We explore nonpartisan fact-based examination of issues that face the Pikes Peak Region and the state of Colorado. Our faculty and our best students conduct research regarding these issues and provide information to local, state, and nonprofit organizations that request it of us.
CSR+: You have talked and written extensively about “smart growth” and how it can be applied to Colorado Springs. What does the term “smart growth” mean?
Greenwood: It means that we should be able to recognize the way we build homes and businesses and how such development affects the quality of life. We need to consider the associated costs of services to tax payers as a result of development. The impact of growth on the quality of life should be positive. For example, growth should not lead to traffic congestion and bad air quality. The quality of K-12 schools and institutions for higher education should be positively impacted by growth.
CSR+: This all sounds nice, but “smart growth” as you describe has the potential to arrest the continued growth of our city, region, and state. Is that right?
Greenwood: It’s a myth that population growth is necessary for economic development. For example, I can cite a study by Gottlieb called “Growth without Growth” that describes how a city or a region can continue to grow even without population growth. And, if population growth is inevitable, we can grow our city and region so that we don’t have sprawl.
CSR+: Isn’t that interfering with people’s choice regarding how they want to lead their lives? Doesn’t that sound un-American?
Greenwood: People have a right to make choices, but choices come with costs. However, when we, as a society, decide to spend our tax money, why should we subsidize the true cost of services to expensive new homes being built on mountainsides? Why should we not subsidize education and health care for poor children instead? It is expensive to provide services such as fire, water, and other utilities to mountain homes or homes in suburban sprawls in general. Homeowners who decide to build or buy homes in such areas should pay for the true cost of such services.
CSR+: When people build new homes, don’t they pay taxes and fees that cover the associated expenses?
Greenwood: No. The city gets a big tax amount when the homes are built, but due to the way our property taxes are structured, later the true costs of services are not covered.
CSR+: According to one of your studies, Colorado Springs collects 7% less tax per person now than 20 years ago. That sounds good to the taxpayer. But, what are its effects?
Greenwood: There is an enormous backlog of outdated infrastructure projects in the city. The water company stays in the next seven years; there will be fifty percent rise. In some cities in Colorado, all the water will be gone in a few years if not consumed wisely.
CSR+: Do you think there are benefits to population growth other than economic growth?
Greenwood: Of course, there are many benefits to population growth. Population growth leads to better choices of restaurants, bars, nightclub, shops, colleges, and schools. A larger population base leads to a better cultural scene in the city. It also leads to more ethnic diversity, primarily in the high-tech and military sectors.
CSR+: What are your parting thoughts?
Greenwood: Colorado Springs, Colorado, and our nation should embrace growth as it occurs, but we must ensure that the growth is smart and that it benefits society in general.
CSR+: Thank you so much for talking to us.
Greenwood: My pleasure.
- J
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