I bought my first mountain bike when I moved to Durango. Since then, I have developed a passion for the sport and a deep appreciation for the unique and beautiful public lands upon which I have learned to bike.
Because of my appreciation for these lands, I feel as though I also have a duty to protect them. I believe supporting the CORE Act is one way in which I can help to support and protect our state’s public lands.
I appreciate the conservation efforts put forth by Rep. Scott Tipton’s Colorado REC Act; yet, the bill falls short of the protections proposed by the CORE Act.
Tipton’s Colorado REC Act stood out to me because of the emphasis placed on opening up wilderness lands for biking and motorized vehicle use. Since I started biking, I have learned of how many mountain bike-accessible trails there are, all across the state. I argue that we have enough mountain biking trails, and what we need more of is wilderness protections.
Sen. Michael Bennet’s and Rep. Joe Neguse’s CORE Act clearly prioritizes the designation and protection of wilderness. The act would not only create sustainable recreation opportunities across the state, but would also set aside over 70,000 acres of Colorado wilderness, alongside numerous other efforts.
Now is the time for Rep. Tipton and Sen. Cory Gardner to work across party lines and join the many Coloradans who are already supporting the CORE Act; our economy, quality of life, and health are dependent on it.
Ana Siegel
Durango
