More than 200 Colorado-Based Businesses Join Forces to Advocate for Permanent Protections for Dolores Canyons
In a show of statewide support for conserving Colorado’s public lands, 200 businesses from across the state have joined forces to advocate for protections for the Dolores Canyons on the state’s Western Slope. Their number includes agricultural producers, museums, outdoor outfitters and manufacturers, sporting retailers, breweries, local eateries, and other Colorado-based businesses.
The Dolores Canyons in Western Colorado spans high desert canyon country on the Western Slope surrounding the Dolores River in Mesa and Montrose counties. To safeguard these public lands, expand access to the outdoors, and contribute to Colorado’s economic vitality, business leaders are calling on Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to work to protect the Dolores Canyons as a national monument or work through other avenues to provide permanent protection.
The public lands in the Dolores Canyons region, which today are largely open to new mining and industrial development, feature rich cultural and historic sites, habitat for iconic big game and sensitive plants and animals, and unmatched outdoor recreation opportunities. The call for lasting protections underscores a shared belief by Colorado’s business leaders that conserving Colorado’s public lands for future generations contributes to vibrant, sustainable economies and a thriving natural environment.
“The creation of a national monument would mean so much for me as a small business owner, not just personally as an outdoor enthusiast, but as a long-term economic driver,” said Aaron Knapp, owner of the Hot Tomato in Fruita. “The tourism industry played a huge role in building the Hot Tomato into the place it is today. The mountain bikers, hikers, fishers, hunters, and rafters help keep our doors open. The tourism brought by the Dolores Canyons provides small business owners like myself and business owners across the western slope with a sustainable income.”
“CampV is a former mining town that has been transformed into a hospitality-based business that’s grounded in conservation and rural economic prosperity,” said Natalie Binder, Founder of CampV in Naturita, Colorado. “We are proud of our community’s rich mining and ranching history and know that protecting the Dolores Canyons will benefit our local economy, while safeguarding the rugged and remote public lands out the backdoor.”
“It’s a no-brainer that we need additional protections for the Dolores region. Colorado’s businesses and communities rely on public lands – the outdoor industry contributes more than $17 billion annually and supports 132,500 direct jobs throughout the state,” said Shoren Brown, Vice-President of Government Affairs for The Conservation Alliance. “As demand for high quality recreation experiences on our public lands continues to grow, we need to do everything we can to protect landscapes like the Dolores. The Conservation Alliance and our business members support locally driven solutions for this incredible area and we are proud to invest our time and dollars in this project.”
“As a paddle-sports retailer, school, and rental center on the banks of the Animas River in Durango, we’ve been helping folks explore Colorado’s incredible rivers for more than three decades,” Ashleigh Tucker, Managing Partner of 4 Corners River Sports in Durango. “Our mission is to get more people on our state’s waterways. Over the years, we’ve outfitted many paddlers to explore the wild Dolores Canyons, which offer some of the best whitewater in the state. We consider this canyon country our backyard and wholeheartedly believe it should be protected as a national monument.
“At Gearhead Outfitters, our love for the outdoors is at the heart of everything we do,” said Zachary Arwood, Store Manager. “Protecting places like the Dolores River is essential to preserving the wild spaces that inspire adventure and foster community. We are committed to supporting conservation efforts that ensure future generations can explore and enjoy the natural beauty that defines our way of life.”
“We’re proud to be part of a chorus of businesses calling on President Biden to protect the beautiful Dolores Canyons,” said Blair Kanis, President and General Counsel at Cocona Labs, creator of 37.5® Technology. “As a textile materials science company based in Boulder, we think of these lands not only as one of Colorado’s wildest places, but also as a natural laboratory for the premium performance fabrics we create. Protecting this region is good for both Coloradans and visitors. It also supports the state’s powerhouse outdoor recreation economy, which puts almost 130,000 people to work each year.”
“Fire on the Mountain has a demonstrated commitment to sustainability, to giving back and living our values, and most importantly to fostering a supportive, vibrant atmosphere where our hardworking, creative, and talented staff can thrive,” said owner of Fire on the Mountain, Andrea West. “We know from experience that the health of our environment and the vitality of our local economies are all interrelated across Colorado, and we know that protecting our public lands increases the quality of life of both our customers and employees and allows us to attract the best and brightest. To that end, we urge Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to work with the Biden administration to conserve the critically important Dolores Canyons as a national monument because it improves the wellbeing and prosperity of all our communities.”
“Protecting the Dolores river is very important to the river running community, especially around the Four Corners region,” said Phil Walcynski, CEO and Co-Owner of Down River Equipment. “That makes it important to the paddlesport businesses who support that community as well as the local economies around that area.” The Dolores river is one of the most uniquely beautiful places to float through in the western US. You start by floating through a forest of Ponderosa Pines and finish in a Slickrock desert. There’s no other river that has that kind of geologic, flora, and fauna diversity.”
