Vacationland: Tourism and Environment in the Colorado High Country (Weyerhaeuser Environmental Books)

This was an awesome read! Philpott does a great job tracing the history of tourism in Colorado. More broadly, I think he does an excellent job examining the transition of the Inter-Rocky Mountain Region from a region dependent on extractive industries, to a region with a more diversified economy but heavily dependent on tourism. It's a fascinating look into all the intentional decisions that went into developing Colorado's mountain ranges from challenging to access and even more challenging to explore areas, to easily accessible paradises. Also does an excellent job exploring the intricacies of that decision, and potential downsides economically, environmentally, and for some locals. Really awesome look at a unique aspect of Colorado's history. I highly recommend this book, particularly if you're interested in tourism, western history, or Colorado history.

I bought this book for my bachelor thesis and I have to say not only I enjoyed reading the book but it was also very helpful.The book is packed with a lot of interesting information, it is well written and it is really engaging.I learnt a lot about Colorado and there are also a lot starting points.The analysis is deep and touches a many important point.Very recommended

An interesting read about the development of the high country in terms of Tourism and Enviromentalism in Colorado. Can get excessively detailed at parts, but overall, very interesting while I travel around the state and think about this information.

Vacationland is a fascinating story wonderfully told. We know how the story ends, but Philpott manages to create suspense as he portrays the events that transformed the high country of Colorado, especially the development of the I-70 corridor. He makes clear that the outcome was not preordained, as federal technocrats literally designed the road map that profoundly affected localities, businesses, and the environment.He also convincingly describes the rise of lifestyles built around recreation, chronicles the spectacular success of Aspen and Vail, explains the alliance between vacationers and environmentalists in preserving scenery and recreational settings, and highlights the growing tension between economic and leisure interests.When I ordered this book, I feared it would be a tedious textbook by an academic historian. Instead, I found it to be a riveting read and immensely insightful.

Fantastic history showing how the tourist/recreationist roots of Colorado's post-WWII environmental movement--based in consumerism, suburban ideals, and individuals tastes--ultimately undermined the movement's ability to push for large-scale environmental progress or ecologically based land planning. It shows clearly the paradox of trying to protect the environment through consumerism.This book has rich detail on the post-WWII history of environmentalism in Colorado but also illuminates the national history and helps explain the shortcomings in environmental advocacy and policy that we still see today. For a complementary history, see Adam Rome's Bulldozer in the Countryside.