Colorado U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper have both visited the West End in the last few months, holding listening sessions to hear local opinions on a proposed national monument for the northern Dolores River area. Last week, the two together released a statement to the public.
“For decades, Coloradans have worked to find a sensible way to protect the Dolores River. Over the last several months, we have spent time in the Northern Dolores Basin and had many conversations about its future,” the press release said. “Based on these conversations, it is clear that Coloradans care deeply about this landscape and many want it permanently protected. We also recognize there are legitimate questions and the need for further discussion.”
The press release added that the senators are “committed to continuing to work with local leaders, public land users, affected counties and Tribes to determine the best path” and stated that “no matter the tool (used) to permanently protect the Dolores,” several principles would be followed.
They said the BLM and USFS should “continue to manage the federal lands,” and that no fees would be charged to enter designated lands. They also said “grazing should continue and be managed pursuant to existing laws and regulations” and that all “valid, existing” mining rights should be protected.
The press release stated the Rimrocker Trail should remain open, but didn’t speak to other OHV trails. It also said mountain biking should continue with opportunities for new trails and that hunting and fishing should continue. It added that existing water rights should be protected and a federal water right wouldn’t be established.
Amber Clark, the executive director of Dolores River Boating Advocates, said in a statement afterward, one that monument advocates together released, that she thanked Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for visiting the Dolores River Canyon.
“As you saw firsthand, common ground lies in the deep love that so many people share for the Dolores Canyons, and there is a will to come together and find lasting solutions,” she said. “Local people have been working at this for 50 years, and there is a window of opportunity to safeguard these public lands this year as a national monument.”
Clark added that her group is “excited to build on the recent momentum” and that they look to the senators’ leadership in bringing stakeholders together to “secure much deserved protections.”
Opponents of a national monument in the West End have shared that while they hear the senators’ lists of activities they plan not to change — the grazing, trails use, mining and more — they believe a lack of access will prohibit those activities anyway, due to the nature of a monument.
“Closing access to a single road can have far-reaching implications, potentially affecting hundreds of roads,” said Sean Pond, leader of the Halt the Dolores Monument group, which opposes the national monument. “Valid and existing mining claims become increasingly difficult to prove when access is restricted or denied. Similarly, grazing allotments become impossible to utilize when access is limited."
Pond said it seems the decision has been made, despite claims of uncertainty.
