Wednesday’s commentary by Mark Squillace and his interpretation of “navigable rivers” for fishermen sounds like an excerpt from Fox News’ Tucker Carlson’s playbook of misinformation! He suggests that fishermen should have the right to trespass on private property any time they want, either on private land (the riverbank itself) or on the stream bottom (also private land) because he says it’s “navigable.” Not so! Navigable means “able to be sailed on by ships or boats.” It has nothing to do with people trespassing on private property. Colorado law states that people can float on a navigable river over and through private property if they are not touching the actual property, including the river bottom.
As a river kayaker for 45 years in Durango and an owner of private riverfront property, I see this Colorado law as being reasonable and of benefit to all. Contrary to this article of misinformation by Squillace, Attorney General Phil Wisner is correct in upholding of the law and should not be unjustly ridiculed by this fish brain.
Tim Wolf
Durango
