A survey of 105 rural school superintendents in Colorado investigated areas significant to success in and satisfaction with the superintendency in rural school districts. These areas included school district background, perceptions of the rural superintendency, future plans of respondents, governance issues, board-superintendent relations, external support, personal management issues, policy issues, and financial support. The average age of respondents was 51; 84 percent were male; the average experience as a superintendent was 9.3 years; and the average number of superintendent positions held was 1.6. Half the school districts served fewer than 744 students. Forty-one percent of students in the school districts received free or reduced-price lunch. Results indicate that respondents were highly satisfied with their jobs, but were less satisfied with their compensation package; expressed satisfaction with the level of decision-making authority available to them; and indicated good support for public education from parents, the community, and local media. However, one-third of respondents indicated that they were considering a career change in the next 3 years. When asked about boards of education, 76 percent of respondents were highly satisfied with their relationship with the board, and 86 percent were highly satisfied with the collaborative effort between the board and the superintendent. The majority of respondents expressed concern about the shrinking number of applicants for vacant teaching positions, but were enthusiastic about the dedication and quality of school personnel. An overwhelming number expressed dissatisfaction with the state charter school law. Respondents were also dissatisfied with the interdistrict choice program and the amount of time spent on mandatory testing. (LP)