Bill Overview
Title: Dearfield Study Act
Description: This bill directs the Department of the Interior to conduct a special resource study of the site known as Dearfield, in Weld County, Colorado, which was a historically black agricultural settlement founded by Oliver Toussaint Jackson. In conducting the study, Interior shall evaluate the national significance of the study area, and determine the suitability and feasibility of designating the study area as a unit of the National Park System.
Sponsors: Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]
Target Audience
Population: Individuals with an interest in African American history and culture
Estimated Size: 50000000
- The act specifically involves the study of Dearfield, a historically black settlement, which may impact descendants or communities with a vested interest in African American history.
- Scholars, historians, and educators could be impacted as the site might become a resource for study and education.
- Tourism industries might see changes if the site is designated as a National Park System unit, potentially increasing visitation to the area.
- Residents and local businesses in Weld County could be impacted economically and socially by this designation.
Reasoning
- The policy impacts a specific historical site, primarily affecting communities with a vested interest in African American history and local stakeholders, rather than having widespread nationwide effects.
- Due to budget constraints, the implementation of this policy needs to focus on high-impact target groups, including descendants of Dearfield settlers, historians, educators, and local communities.
- Individuals involved in tourism, education, and local businesses in Weld County might experience varying levels of impact based on the site's potential designation as a National Park.
- The cost and duration reflect a focused campaign to enhance historical knowledge and possibly increase tourism revenue, which can further drive economic benefits for the local area.
Simulated Interviews
Historian (Denver, Colorado)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm thrilled about the potential for Dearfield to gain recognition. It could significantly advance the understanding of African American settlements in Colorado.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 6 |
Local Business Owner (Weld County, Colorado)
Age: 50 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I'm cautiously optimistic. Increased tourism could mean more customers, but only if handled well.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Graduate Student (Boulder, Colorado)
Age: 24 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The recognition of Dearfield could provide invaluable resources for my studies and future research projects.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Museum Curator (Washington D.C.)
Age: 60 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Dearfield becoming a part of the National Park System could enhance public knowledge and appreciation of African American history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Tourism Consultant (New York, New York)
Age: 45 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition of Dearfield might open new tourism opportunities that emphasize African American heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Teacher (Los Angeles, California)
Age: 29 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Such a designation for Dearfield could provide new resources and tools for teaching my students about African American heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Writer (Atlanta, Georgia)
Age: 34 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Having Dearfield as a national park could enrich my ability to provide content for my readers about African American pioneers.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 7 |
Descendant of Dearfield settlers (Chicago, Illinois)
Age: 55 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 4/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Recognition of the settlement's significance would mean a lot to our family history.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 5 |
Community Organizer (Houston, Texas)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- An official recognition of Dearfield could support initiatives I work on to promote African American heritage.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Real Estate Developer (San Francisco, California)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 8
Duration of Impact: 0.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This could be an interesting development for the preservation of historic sites, though I am not directly involved with Dearfield.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 8 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $1500000 (Low: $1200000, High: $1800000)
Year 2: $1500000 (Low: $1200000, High: $1800000)
Year 3: $1000000 (Low: $800000, High: $1200000)
Year 5: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Potential designation as a National Park System unit could have long-term cultural and economic benefits.
- Stakeholder engagement, including descendants of residents and local historical societies, is crucial.
- Coordination with state and local authorities will be important to maintain support and manage expectations.