Whenever someone asks the question "What is GIS, anyway?" It's very difficult to answer with a quick, understandable answer. My first inclination is to respond with "GIS is an acronym for Geographic Information Systems, which is the key to our future, and every aspect of our lives is affected by it." That usually doesn't go over very well. Often, I'm tempted to say that the GIS profession entails working with maps and databases. However, this basic description doesn't come close to narrating the power and potential of GIS. All in all, GIS is a set of tools that provides the capability to dissect the complex environment into simple, representative layers that can be analyzed, manipulated and overlaid to help us make complex decisions.

Do you remember studying the human body in high school and college? Textbooks break down different functions of our body into common-function systems like the nervous system, the digestive system, the skeletal system, etc. This is the easiest way to understand the complexity of our inner workings. This same "dissection" method works well when trying to understand our environment, too. To make sense of the complex inner workings of our cities and natural places, GIS provides a similar thought process where we can separate elements into their own "systems." Instead of thinking about Main Street in Walsenburg as a commercial district, GIS enables us to see it as buildings, a road, trees, shops, stoplights, utilities and so forth. Using GIS, we can make decisions about each of these systems individually. This can enable us to simulate, analyze and understand problems with unprecedented detail so they can be addressed most efficiently.

Our County Commissioners are forward-thinking people. They realize the potential of GIS, and how it can benefit our communities. Not only does GIS enable us to work more efficiently and save money, it also speeds up government, so we can be more responsive to your needs. As an example, prior to implementing the GIS program, it took days to notify residents in a neighborhood of potential changes to their surrounding area. Now, it takes a matter of minutes. Your county government is only beginning to realize the tremendous benefits GIS brings to each and every aspect of the services we provide. So, I encourage you to come visit us. We regularly work with many area businesses, schools, governmental entities and private citizens on highly complex projects, and we look forward to helping you with your next project.