Studies

The primary activity at Western Strategies Center is locally focused policy research, with an emphasis on identifying potential solutions to local issues. We produce three types of policy documents:

• Strategy Papers are in-depth reports of broad issues. These papers include suggestions for how the community can build on its strenths to enhance our local services.
• Issue Papers are in-depth reports of narrower topics. These papers clarify complex issues and provide basic information that informs public discussion.
• Briefing Papers are short reports on focused topics. These papers provide snapshots of the community and serve as useful reference tools for discussion of larger issues.

At Western Strategies Center, we believe that there is tremendous knowledge and resourcefulness within our local community. Our research process therefore always begins with interviews of local experts and stakeholders in the topic area. We supplement this knowledge with substantial independent research, which provides a basis for community discussion about how Colorado Springs is doing things relative to other communities around the country.

Strategy Paper:

Health Care Infrastructure in Colorado Springs
Executive Summary

Issue Papers:

Community Resilience

Time to Grow Up? Municipal Government Structures and Implications for Colorado Springs

Briefing Papers:

What Does It Take to Balance the Budget? A Look at Colorado's Budget Actions from 2001 to 2007

Western Strategies Center is an affiliated fund of the Pikes Peak Community Foundation, a 501(c)3 public charity