Rep. Scott Tipton’s recent gutting of the carefully and democratically developed Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act poignantly illustrates the need for local people here in Southwest Colorado to stand together in support of our watershed, public lands and community process. When Rep. Tipton succumbed to pressure by out-of-state House Natural Resource Committee members, he undermined years of hard work by a diverse array of stakeholders in favor of partisanship; we, as a community, need to let him know that there’s no room for politics when it comes to protecting our community will and our beautiful backyard. The laudable local support for the Hermosa Creek bill exists because our community values our local access to mountains, rivers and trails. We also know it takes more than political grandstanding to protect the lands we love.
On Oct. 7, there will be a fantastic chance to appreciate the wilderness we hold so dear and learn more about how to protect it. John Fielder, world-renowned Colorado wilderness photographer, will host a presentation of his photographs, including those of Hermosa Creek, at 6 p.m. at the Powerhouse Science Center in Durango. Local groups will also be there discussing how we can help Rep. Tipton return the Hermosa Creek bill to its original, community-vetted form. Here on the Western Slope of Colorado, we value our natural areas and have proved we are willing to work hard to protect them. Come show your support for Hermosa Creek with John Fielder on Tuesday, and tell Rep. Tipton to do the same.
Micha Rosenoer
Durango
