S T E A M B O AT
FRIDAY
AUGUST 14, 2009 Steamboat Springs, Colorado Vol. 21, No. 194
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RO U T T
C O U N T Y ’ S
DA I LY
N E W S PA P E R
House of Cards
S T E A M B O AT S P R I N G S
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The rise and fall of Routt County’s real estate economy
A little lamb
Part 3: Holding a losing hand
Events for youngsters build excitement in future 4-H’ers
F
or years, Routt County’s thriving real estate market and healthy tourism economy sustained a year-round work force. For some local businesses, there was simply too much work. Start-up companies grew rapidly, feasting on the insatiable demand for services. Established businesses multiplied their staffs in an effort to keep up with the workload. But when the economy slowed and the housing market all but stopped, those swollen payrolls had nowhere to go but down. Many Routt County businesses, and particularly those connected to the building industry, have been forced to cut back as rapidly as they grew just a couple of years ago. The result has been widespread layoffs and a new focus on efficiency. And for some, it’s meant pulling up roots and moving elsewhere to earn a paycheck.
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S T E A M B O AT S P R I N G S
Sales tax dips in June Across-the-board decreases noted; collections down 16.8 percent year to date Page 6
SPORTS
Practice to begin
Inside:
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■ WEATHER
■ INDEX Briefs . . . . . . . . .10 Classifieds . . . . .46 Colorado. . . . . . .26 Comics . . . . . . . .44 Crossword . . . . .45 Explore . . . . . . . .19
Horoscope . . . . .44 Nation. . . . . . . . .32 Scoreboard. . . . .43 Sports. . . . . . . . .39 ViewPoints . . . . . .8 World . . . . . . . . .36
Scattered storms. High of 80.
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Part 3 of a five-part series from the Steamboat Pilot & Today
■ EXPLORE STEAMBOAT Your weekend guide to arts and entertainment in Steamboat Springs, including movie times and film reviews, begins on page 19.
Visit www.ExploreSteamboat.com.