Voters in Western Colorado "treasure" the Colorado River and want to see it protected. They also recognize the river's importance to the economy, according to a survey of 500 registered voters that was commissioned by the Colorado River District.

The survey tested public perceptions about the Colorado River and issues surrounding it. For survey purposes, the Colorado River includes the main stem Colorado, Gunnison, Yampa and White Rivers and all of the streams and rivers that flow into them in Western Colorado. The sample of voters represents the 15 Western Colorado counties that comprise the Colorado River District.

Eighty-six percent of voters polled identified the river as a "state treasure." Ninety-five percent said the river was "important to the economy on the Western Slope." Ninety-one percent said the river was important to them "personally." Eighty-four percent agreed the river is "in need of greater protection."

However, when it comes to voters' top concern, the economy is No. 1 with a 75 percent response. Second on the list is loss of farmlands, ranches and orchards (55 percent) followed by taxes (46 percent). A second tier of concerns includes pollution of rivers and streams, inadequate water supplies, more frequent droughts, loss of habitat for fish and wildlife, lower snowpack and climate change.