It’s weeks like this that make me proud to be a small-business owner and executive director of the Durango Chamber of Commerce. Because of the diligent work of our community members and more than 200 local businesses, along with the leadership of Rep. Scott Tipton and Sen. Michael Bennet, Hermosa Creek has finally received legal protections that will benefit our local economy for generations to come.

Colorado has a $13.2 billion outdoor recreation industry that supports more than 125,000 jobs across the state – hundreds within La Plata County alone. Hermosa Creek is a major destination for sportsmen and recreationalists, drawing hundreds if not thousands of people to our region every year. These people help to stimulate our local economy in a variety of ways, including visiting the area’s other attractions and even onto Main Avenue year after year. For these reasons, our business community has supported efforts to protect Hermosa Creek for more than six years.

Along with sportsmen, conservationists, recreational users and our elected officials, we’re overjoyed that our community-crafted bill became law – a feat that deserves hearty celebration in this age of congressional logjams and partisanship. I’d like to congratulate and thank all the local businesses in our area that spoke up in support of Hermosa Creek, and give a special thanks to Rep. Tipton and Sen. Bennet. Without the voices of a diverse local coalition and strong leadership in Washington, D.C., protections for Hermosa would not have been possible. This truly is a demonstration of how placing the interests of the citizens is more important than political party platforms.

Jack Llewellyn

Durango