Right now in Washington, D.C., members of Congress are seriously considering selling our public lands to pay for extending tax cuts for the wealthiest Americans. While here in the West, our national parks and public lands face a second existential crisis as dedicated park and land managers have been demoralized or fired. These public lands are what so many of us love about our home here in Western Colorado, and they are a big piece of what drives our economy.
Across Colorado, the economic impact is huge: The outdoor recreation industry contributes $17 billion and 132,000 jobs to the state’s economy. In Durango, our local economy thrives thanks to the support of locals and visitors from across the Four Corners who come to experience everything Southwest Colorado has to offer. From rafting adventures to hiking in the San Juan Mountains, people are drawn here by the stunning natural beauty that makes our region so special. Without access to public lands and waters, we wouldn’t have the opportunity to share the everyday magic that makes this place home.
Public lands and free-flowing rivers are the foundation of our business at 4Corners Riversports. They provide the spaces where our customers paddle, explore and fall in love with the outdoors. We’re not just outfitting adventures – we’re building a culture of stewardship. Through our youth paddle school and community programs, we’re helping the next generation learn how to safely enjoy and protect our rivers. That kind of connection – personal, physical and emotional – only happens when access to public lands and waters is protected. Protecting public lands and waterways isn’t just a value we hold; it’s a necessity to our business. It is critical that our representative, Jeff Hurd, stands up for his district with a full-throated declaration: Our public lands are not for sale.
In the meantime, it seems that Hurd owes his constituents an explanation. He recently wrote (Herald, June 1) “It’s part of our culture, our economy. ... And as your representative in Congress, I take seriously the obligation to protect them, not just in word, but in action.” How does he square that with his own actions? Whether it’s cutting the public out of public land management through his Productive Public Lands Act; voting in committee to advance a budget reconciliation bill that mandates the sale of 500,000 acres of public land in Utah and Nevada; or supporting a final bill that lets polluters pay their way through environmental review instead of protecting clean air, water and lands – Hurd seems more interested in what D.C. lobbyists have to say than in listening to those of us on the ground.
The reality is that the district that Hurd represents is the crown jewel of Colorado’s natural beauty. This district’s members of Congress, from both sides of the aisle, have a long history of sponsoring legislation that would permanently protect Western Slope public lands because the beauty, serenity and importance of these lands are what brought so many of us here to begin with and must be shared with future generations.
Fighting for our public lands is a proud, bipartisan issue that the vast majority of the district agrees on. From local governments to state representatives and senators, support for our public lands is through the roof, across all parties and demographics. The support for public lands is broad, consistent and backed by polling numbers, conversations at the local put-in and actions taken by elected officials across Colorado.
The Western Slope is a place where a variety of lived experiences that shape our views have come together to create an incredible community. One where we can all agree our public lands are worth fighting for, and I hope Hurd agrees.
Ashleigh Tucker is managing partner and buyer at 4Corners Riversports in Durango.
