One of our partners working with the Obama Administration asked us to circulate a sign-on letter to our Colorado-based members asking President Obama to use the Antiquities Act to designate Browns Canyon National Monument. They are seeking support for this action throughout CO to provide a powerful demonstration of the outdoor industry’s support for the monument. The letter will be delivered in early December to Administration officials and to CO Senators Udall and Bennet.
Your company does not need to be based in Colorado to sign this letter in support of Browns Canyon National Monument. Please show your support by sending your logo and the following information to josie at conservationalliance.com by Tuesday, December 2:
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Background
There is a long history of bi-partisan support for protecting Browns Canyon, locally and statewide. After more than fifteen years of attempts to protect Browns Canyon via legislation, the strategy to protect Browns Canyon shifted to a National Monument Campaign. Recent polling that shows 77% of Coloradans support designating Browns Canyon as a National Monument.
Starting in 2006, The Conservation Alliance funded two organizations, Colorado Environmental Coalition and Conservation Lands Foundation, for their work on Browns Canyon.
Browns Canyon National Monument Opposition
Local Congressman Doug Lamborn has opposed Senators Udall and Bennet’s Browns Canyon legislation, and locals expect that Senator-elect Cory Gardner will join his Republican colleague in opposing the President’s use of the Antiquities Act for the area. One of the three Chaffee County County Commissioners opposes the designation, but the other two (both Republicans) are supportive. There are several vocal grazing permittees and OHV enthusiasts that oppose the designation, even though Senator Udall went out of his way to address their concerns in his legislation and the designation will not change grazing or motorized access in the area. Finally, there are some vocal tea party personalities locally that have expressed concern, mostly along ideological lines. In all, the area enjoys broad support, but there are certain to be voices of dissent about the action that also appear in the media and at local meetings.
