Keske, C.M.H., T. Iverson, G. Graff, S. Evans, L. Hans, A. Brandess, C. Huber. 2010. “Designing a Technology-Neutral, Benefit-Pricing Policy for the Electric Power Sector in Colorado.” Prepared for the Colorado Governor’s Energy Office by Colorado States University, Grant#: 10-136. December. https://instaar.colorado.edu/uploads/publications/keske-et-al-2010-geo-tech-report.pdf.
Christopher Huber
Biography
Chris Huber is an economist in the Social and Economic Analysis Branch at the USGS Fort Collins Science Center. He earned his master's degree in Agricultural and Resource Economics from Colorado State University in 2012. His research interests includes the economic valuation of non-marketed natural resources and ecosystem services.
Education
- M.S. in Agricultural and Resource Economics, Colorado State University, 2012
- B.S. in Agricultural Economics, Colorado State University, 2010
Professional Experience
- 2012 to present: Economist, U.S. Geological Survey, Fort Collins Science Center, Fort Collins, Colorado
Science and Products
Date published: June 21, 2018
Status: Active Economics of Wildland Fire
In recent decades, wildfires have increased in size and intensity, and the fire season has lengthened. This and other factors have increased wildfire suppression costs and risks to human health and safety. SEA economists investigate numerous aspects of wildland fire, its impacts, and how to mitigate the risk wildfire poses to people, resources, and property.
Contacts: James Meldrum, Ph.D., Christopher Huber
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Date published: October 26, 2016
Status: Active Economics and Ecosystem Services
Federal policymakers and land managers are accountable to the public for how they use public resources and for the outcomes of policy and management decisions. Through a variety of economic analyses and custom modeling, SEA economists evaluate how investments and management decisions affect individuals, local communities, and society as a whole.
Date published: September 1, 2016
Status: Active The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI)
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) addresses effects of land-use and climate changes on Southwest Wyoming’s natural resources. In partnership with twelve Federal, State, and local natural resource agencies, and non-governmental organizations– FORT and ten other USGS centers are conducting dozens of integrated science projects to assess the status of Southwest Wyoming’s...
Contacts: Pat Anderson, Timothy Assal, Ph.D., Zachary H Bowen, Ph.D., Stephen Germaine, Lucy Burris, Cameron Aldridge
Date published: July 26, 2016
Status: Active Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative (SECI)
The mission of the U.S. Geological Survey’s Sustaining Environmental Capital Initiative (SECI) is to develop and enhance science and research on ecosystem services in support of improving natural resource management. This effort is in response to the fourth recommendation of the President’s Council of Advisors on Science and Technology (PCAST) report: "Federal agencies with responsibilities...
Date published: July 5, 2016
Status: Active Economic Impacts of Ecological Restoration
Federal investments in ecosystem restoration projects protect Federal trusts, ensure public health and safety, and preserve and enhance essential ecosystem services. These investments also generate business activity and create jobs. However, limited information exists on the costs and associated economic impacts of ecosystem restoration projects due to the complexity of the “restoration...
Contacts: Cathy Cullinane Thomas, Christopher Huber
Date published: July 6, 2016
Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) - Important Agricultural Lands Assessment Project (Datasets)
The data contained in this report was compiled, modified, and analyzed for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) Integrated Assessment (IA). These data represent an initial step towards spatially identifying lands that represent greater importance in the agricultural context and can be used by interested parties to conduct further geospatial analysis.
Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center
Year Published: 2019
Value of migratory bird recreation at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico
Each fall, thousands of Rocky Mountain Sandhill Cranes and other migratory birds congregate at the Bosque del Apache National Wildlife Refuge in New Mexico’s Rio Grande Valley in search of wintering habitat. As such, this refuge is known as one of the premier destinations for bird viewing and photography in the United States. Using contingent...
Huber, Christopher C.; Sexton, NatalieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2019
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2017 annual report
The Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) was established in 2008 to address the scientific and conservation questions associated with land use changes because of energy development and other factors in southwest Wyoming. Over the past decade, partners from U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), State and Federal land management agencies,...
Zeigenfuss, Linda C.; Aikens, Ellen; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Anderson, Patrick J.; Assal, Timothy J.; Bowen, Zachary H.; Chalfoun, Anna D.; Chong, Geneva W.; Eddy-Miller, Cheryl A.; Germaine, Stephen S.; Graves, Tabitha; Homer, Collin G.; Huber, Christopher C.; Johnston, Aaron; Kauffman, Matthew J.; Manier, Daniel J.; McShane, Ryan R.; Miller, Kirk A.; Monroe, Adrian P.; Ortega, Anna; Walters, Annika W.; Wyckoff, Teal B.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Zeigenfuss, L.C., Aikens, E., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Bowen, Z.H., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Eddy-Miller, C.A., Germaine, S.S., Graves, T., Homer, C.G., Huber, C.C., Johnston, A., Kauffman, M.J., Manier, D.J., McShane, R.R., Miller, K.A., Monroe, A.P., Ortega, A., Walters, A.W., and Wyckoff, T.B., 2019, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2017 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2018–1188, 57 p., https://doi.org/10.3133/ofr20181188.
Year Published: 2019
Methods of environmental valuation
Commensurate valuation of market and nonmarket public goods allows for a more valid benefit-cost analysis. Economic methods for valuing nonmarket public goods include actual behavior-based revealed preference methods, such as the hedonic property method for urban-suburban public goods and travel cost models for outdoor recreation. For valuing...
Loomis, John B.; Huber, Christopher C.; Richardson, LeslieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
Year Published: 2018
Improving confidence by embracing uncertainty: A meta-analysis of U.S. hunting values for benefit transfer
Recreational hunting in the United States has traditional and cultural importance, and generates substantial economic benefits to individual hunters themselves. This paper conducts a meta-analysis of existing nonmarket valuation estimates for hunting in the United States to explore sources and implications of variation and uncertainty in these...
Huber, Christopher C.; Meldrum, James R.; Richardson, LeslieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Huber, C., Meldrum, J., Richardson, L. 2018. Improving confidence by embracing uncertainty: A meta-analysis of U.S. hunting values for benefit transfer. Ecosystem Services 33(B): 225-236. doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoser.2018.07.001.
Year Published: 2018
A method to value nature-related webcam viewing: The value of virtual use with application to brown bear webcam viewing
There are an estimated 16,000 nature related remote web cameras that provide users around the world with an opportunity to view wildlife. Because there is no monetary price to view the webcams, we utilise variations in the viewers’ opportunity cost of time to estimate consumer surplus. We apply this model to a large sample (n = 2649) of the more...
Loomis, John B.; Richardson, Leslie; Huber, Christopher C.; Skibins, Jeffrey; Sharp, RyanAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Loomis, J., Richardson, L., Huber, C., Skibins, J., & Sharp, R. (2018). A method to value nature-related webcam viewing: the value of virtual use with application to brown bear webcam viewing. Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, 7(4): 452-462. DOI: 10.1080/21606544.2018.1483842.
Year Published: 2017
Challenges and solutions for applying the travel cost demand model to geographically remote visitor destinations: A case study of bear viewing at Katmai National Park and Preserve
Remote and unique destinations present difficulties when attempting to construct traditional travel cost models to value recreation demand. The biggest limitation comes from the lack of variation in the dependent variable, defined as the number of trips taken over a set time frame. There are various approaches that can be used for overcoming...
Richardson, Leslie; Huber, Christopher C.; Loomis, John B.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Richardson, L., Huber, C., & Loomis, J. (2017). Challenges and Solutions for Applying the Travel Cost Demand Model to Geographically Remote Visitor Destinations: A Case Study of Bear Viewing at Katmai National Park and Preserve. Human Dimensions of Wildlife, 22(6), 550–563. doi:10.1080/10871209.2017.1369196
Year Published: 2016
Facilitating the inclusion of nonmarket values in Bureau of Land Management planning and project assessments—Final report
Executive SummaryThis report summarizes the results of a series of field-based case studies conducted by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) to (1) evaluate the use of nonmarket values in Bureau of Land Management (BLM) planning and project assessments, (2) update existing technical resources for measuring those values, and (3) provide guidance to...
Huber, Chris; Richardson, LeslieAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Huber, Chris, and Richardson, Leslie, 2016, Facilitating the inclusion of nonmarket values in Bureau of Land Management planning and project assessments—Final report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016-1178, 79 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161178.
Year Published: 2016
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2015 annual report
This is the eighth annual report highlighting U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) science and decision-support activities conducted for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI). The activities address specific management needs identified by WLCI partner agencies. In 2015, USGS scientists continued 24 WLCI projects in 5 categories: (1)...
Bowen, Zachary H.; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Anderson, Patrick J.; Assal, Timothy J.; Bartos, Timothy T.; Chalfoun, Anna D.; Chong, Geneva W.; Dematatis, Marie K.; Eddy-Miller, Cheryl A.; Garman, Steven L.; Germaine, Stephen S.; Homer, Collin G.; Kauffman, Matthew J.; Huber, Christopher C.; Manier, Daniel J.; Melcher, Cynthia P.; Miller, Kirk A.; Norkin, Tamar; Sanders, Lindsey E.; Walters, Annika W.; Wilson, Anna B.; Wyckoff, Teal B.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Ecosystems, Sage-grouse & Sagebrush Ecosystem, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS), United States of America
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Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Bartos, T.T., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Dematatis, M.K., Eddy-Miller, C.A., Garman, S.L., Germaine, S.S., Homer, C.G., Huber, C.C., Kauffman, M.J., Manier, D.J., Melcher, C.P., Miller, K.A., Norkin, Tamar, Sanders, L.E., Walters, A.W., Wilson, A.B., and Wyckoff, T.B., 2016, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2015 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1141, 59 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161141.
Year Published: 2016
Estimating the economic impacts of ecosystem restoration—Methods and case studies
Federal investments in ecosystem restoration projects protect Federal trusts, ensure public health and safety, and preserve and enhance essential ecosystem services. These investments also generate business activity and create jobs. It is important for restoration practitioners to be able to quantify the economic impacts of individual restoration...
Cullinane Thomas, Catherine; Huber, Christopher C.; Skrabis, Kristin; Sidon, JoshuaAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Cullinane Thomas, Catherine; Huber, Christopher; Skrabis, Kristin; and Sidon, Joshua, 2016, Estimating the economic impacts of ecosystem restoration—Methods and case studies: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2016–1016, 98 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20161016.
Year Published: 2015
U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2014 annual report
This is the seventh report produced by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative (WLCI) to detail annual activities conducted by the USGS for addressing specific management needs identified by WLCI partners. In FY2014, there were 26 projects, including a new one that was completed, two others that were...
Bowen, Zachary H.; Aldridge, Cameron L.; Anderson, Patrick J.; Assal, Timothy J.; Bartos, Timothy T.; Biewick, Laura R; Boughton, Gregory K.; Chalfoun, Anna D.; Chong, Geneva W.; Dematatis, Marie K.; Eddy-Miller, Cheryl A.; Garman, Steven L.; Germaine, Stephen S.; Homer, Collin G.; Huber, Christopher C.; Kauffman, Matthew J.; Latysh, Natalie; Manier, Daniel J.; Melcher, Cynthia P.; Miller, Alexander; Miller, Kirk A.; Olexa, Edward M.; Schell, Spencer; Walters, Annika W.; Wilson, Anna B.; Wyckoff, Teal B.Attribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Geosciences and Environmental Change Science Center, Ecosystems, Sage-grouse & Sagebrush Ecosystem, Science Analytics and Synthesis (SAS), United States of America
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Bowen, Z.H., Aldridge, C.L., Anderson, P.J., Assal, T.J., Bartos, T.T., Biewick, L.R.H., Boughton, G.K., Chalfoun, A.D., Chong, G.W., Dematatis, M.K., Eddy-Miller, C.A., Garman, S.L., Germaine, S.S., Homer, C.G., Huber, Christopher, Kauffman, M.J., Latysh, Natalie, Manier, D.J., Melcher, C.P., Miller, A.R., Miller, K.A., Olexa, E.M., Schell, S.L., Walters, A.W., Wilson, A.B., and Wyckoff, T.B., 2015, U.S. Geological Survey science for the Wyoming Landscape Conservation Initiative—2014 annual report: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2015–1091, 61 p., http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20151091.
Year Published: 2015
Draft comprehensive conservation plan and environmental impact statement - Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge
The Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge Complex, consisting of some of the newer properties in the National Wildlife Refuge System, is a work in progress. Offering unique assets to surrounding communities, these lands promise to become some of the premier urban wildlife refuges in the country. At the heart of the refuge complex is the...
Huber, Christopher C.; Cullinane Thomas, CatherineAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 2015. Draft Comprehensive Conservation Plan and Environmental Impact Statement—Rocky Mountain Arsenal National Wildlife Refuge. Lakewood, CO: U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. 245 p.
Year Published: 2015
2014 National Park visitor spending effects: economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation
The National Park System covers more than 84 million acres and is comprised of more than 401 sites across the Nation. These lands managed by the National Park Service (NPS) serve as recreational destinations for visitors from across the Nation and around the world. On vacations or on day trips, NPS visitors spend time and money in the gateway...
Cullinane Thomas, Catherine; Huber, Christopher C.; Koontz, LynneAttribution: Fort Collins Science Center, Ecosystems
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Cullinane Thomas, C.M., C.C. Huber, and L. Koontz. 2015. 2014 National Park visitor spending effects: economic contributions to local communities, states, and the nation. Natural Resource Report NPS/NRSS/EQD/NRR—2015/947. Fort Collins, Colorado: National Park Service. 50 p.