LEAP applied for the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corp, 2004

In many growing communities there are increasing costs for water and sewer systems, and growing concerns about how that can affect economic development competitiveness for key industries that are sensitive to those costs. As part of its efforts to maintain the advantages of the region for business growth, the Greater Colorado Springs Economic Development Corporation took leadership action to conduct a study of the region's economic development competitiveness and effects of proposed changes in local utility costs on that competitiveness.

The project involved a two step process of detailed analysis of the region's economic base and competitiveness, focusing on strengths and weaknesses for attracting and expanding key target industries. The analysis compared the Colorado Springs area to fourteen competing metropolitan areas around the US. Two sets of analysis tools were used. The first set involved detailed utility cost models for comparing utility rates and business operating costs for various target industries.

Based on these findings, the GCS EDC made a successful case for the city utility to revise proposed changes in its water rate structure to attract new business.