Cody M. Perry’s column, “Colorado lawmakers keep dodging debate over public stream access rights,” is disingenuous at best (Herald, May 15). His references to “right-to-float” laws are a red herring. The state of Colorado owns the water, while individuals own the banks and riverbeds. Those individuals pay county property taxes on those banks and riverbeds.
Perry continues to reference the “right to float.” I’ve got news for Mr. Perry: The public already has the right to float on Colorado’s waters through private property. The real issue here is a proposed right to trespass promoted by some Denver attorneys who would like to fish in my backyard on the Animas River.
In other words, he is promoting a law that would allow someone to float down the Animas from Bakers Bridge in an inflatable boat or kayak, tie up along my property and start fishing from the riverbank on private property.
I have no issue with people floating through my property on Colorado’s waters. Any additional access could be considered a “taking,” and the state could end up spending hundreds of millions of dollars compensating property owners. Counties could also lose significant property tax revenue.
It has been said there are thousands of miles of streams and rivers on public lands with easy access in Colorado. There is no need for an unnecessary law that promotes trespassing on private property simply to satisfy some Denver attorneys.
Dennis Pierce
Durango
