PRESS RELEASE: Colorado, West Slope leaders support Dolores Canyons National Monument

Diverse group of elected leaders, business owners, sportsmen, and conservation champions celebrate national monument proposal before listening session with Sen. Hickenlooper

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 26th, 2024

GRAND JUNCTION —Senator John Hickenlooper is hosting public meetings this afternoon and tomorrow morning to hear directly from West Slope residents about the effort to conserve the Dolores Canyons in Mesa and Montrose counties as Colorado’s newest national monument. 

For nearly five decades, local communities in western Colorado have worked to safeguard the public lands and waters around the Dolores River, which feature an incredible array of cultural and historic sites, habitat for big game and other sensitive plants and animals, scenic beauty, and unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities. A diverse coalition of organizations and businesses are now asking Senator Hickenlooper, Senator Bennet, and other Colorado decision-makers to partner with President Biden and finally protect the Dolores Canyons National Monument.

Colorado voters support the effort to conserve the Dolores Canyons by overwhelming margins, with one recent public opinion survey finding 92 percent of Colorado voters support protections. Just last week, a group of locals traveled to Washington, DC to deliver over 103,000 petition signatures to the Biden administration from individuals in Colorado and beyond voicing support for the Dolores Canyons National Monument.

In advance of this evening’s public meeting, community and business leaders from across the state are voicing their support for action on the Dolores Canyons National Monument. 

Anna Stout, Grand Junction Mayor 

“Protecting the Dolores Canyons as a national monument is something Coloradans overwhelmingly agree on. Here in Grand Junction, we are deeply committed to conserving the public lands that surround us for the benefit of our residents and future generations. A Dolores Canyons National Monument would protect Colorado’s most vulnerable biodiversity hotspot, while honoring our past, safeguarding our present, and investing in a future where Colorado's rich natural beauty continues to inspire and enrich the lives of all Americans.”

Natalie Binder, Founder of CampV in Naturita, Colorado

“CampV is a former mining town that has been transformed into a hospitality-based business. Our business values are grounded in conservation and rural economic prosperity. We are proud of the rich mining and ranching history of our community and will continue to advocate for stakeholders to sit-down and find solutions where all industries can prosper and public lands can be protected. A National Monument is an opportunity to bring new visitors, which can benefit our community and economy, while not changing the remoteness of these lands. A National Monument is also an opportunity to be proactive, ensuring land managers recognize our unique ranching heritage and protect existing uses like mining.”

Kelly Nordini, CEO of Conservation Colorado

“The best way to protect the Dolores River and surrounding canyon country is by designating it as a national monument. This is our moment to act to protect the Dolores for current and future generations, ensuring a legacy of conservation and accessible natural wonder. Protecting the Dolores would preserve Colorado’s largest and most biodiverse unprotected stretch of public lands, while supporting local economies and preserving public access to this iconic Western-Colorado landscape.”

Scott Braden, Director of Colorado Wildlands Project

“Coloradans have sought protections for the Dolores Canyons for over 50 years. We finally have an opportunity to come together, chart a path forward, and create lasting protections we can all be proud of. The status quo for the Dolores Canyons falls woefully short of preserving the region's rich historical resources, Indigenous cultural sites, and intact riparian ecosystems. New mining exploration threatens to push further into the remaining redrock wildlands. Pipelines, powerlines, or industrial installations could yet still mar this awe-inspiring place.” 

Amber Clark, Executive Director of Dolores River Boating Advocates

“The Dolores River Canyon Country is a landscape that grabs you and doesn't let go. It’s a place I’ve devoted my career to conserving, following in the footsteps of many others who have worked for decades to safeguard this incredible area. A national monument designation for the Dolores Canyons in Mesa and Montrose counties will complement the Dolores River Canyon National Conservation Area, which is currently pending in Congress and will provide long term protection for lands to the south of the national monument proposal. Together, the NCA and national monument will provide contiguous protection for these spectacular public lands and cultural sites while ensuring existing water rights and other uses such as grazing, hunting, and recreation remain intact.” 

Patrick Ortiz, Operations Director at San Luis Valley Great Outdoors and member of HECHO’s (Hispanics Enjoying Camping Hunting and the Outdoors) Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council

“As more and more Americans make the western slope home, it is important that we preserve some of what draws people to the area in the first place. The permanent protection of the Dolores Canyons will ensure that this iconic landscape will remain intact for generations to come.  Preserving places like the Dolores Canyons will prove to be a legacy and will create and maintain a robust, conservation-minded economy for an already thriving outdoor industry.”

Aaron Kindle, Director of Sporting Advocacy at the National Wildlife Federation

“Designating the Dolores Canyons as a national monument will ensure that the number one thing wildlife need — high quality habitat — remains intact, viable and healthy in perpetuity. That’s something every hunter should want and be proud to pass onto our kids and their kids.”

Craig Grother, Central West Slope Regional Director of Colorado Backcountry Hunters & Anglers

“Conserving large tracts of undeveloped public lands as national monuments is essential to America’s hunting and fishing traditions. The Dolores Canyons provide critical habitat for the recovery of our desert bighorn sheep, and the reintroduction and associated wildlife management now provide one of the few opportunities to hunt desert bighorn in Colorado. Farther down the Colorado Basin, President Biden has created new national monuments in places like Avi Kwa Ame in Nevada and Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni near the Grand Canyon in Arizona. For the benefit of local communities, hunters, anglers, rafters, wildlands and wildlife, and future generations, Colorado’s leaders and the president should work with the citizens and appropriate state and local governments of the West Slope to conserve the Dolores River Canyons as a new national monument.”

Lieutenant Colonel Susan P. Zanol, U.S. Air Force (retired)

"It was my honor to serve 20 years to protect our way of life, which includes the preservation of our public lands. Like many veterans, I have sought the peace and tranquility public lands uniquely provide. The Dolores River Canyon Country's abundance of beauty, sparkling rivers, and biodiversity deserves permanent protection. Last year, I watched with pride as President Biden designated Camp Hale as a national monument, ensuring a beautiful unspoiled landscape and a piece of military history was permanently protected. I urge the President to designate another equally important area in Colorado, as the Dolores River Canyon Country National Monument."

Jen Clanahan, Co-Director of Mountain Mamas

“Colorado moms are thrilled that the Dolores River Canyons area may finally receive the protection it deserves. Moms understand the importance of getting our kids outdoors and the Dolores is one of the best outdoor classrooms we have to teach our children about wildlife, nature, and those that came before us. Studies have shown that exposure to nature during childhood has profound and lasting effects on children's physical and mental health as well as emotional and cognitive development. Unstructured play in the outdoors gets kids away from their screens, reduces stress, and fosters creativity and problem-solving skills. Thank you to our Senators and President Biden for their leadership to preserve this unique and beautiful area for our kids and grandkids."