Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper are one step closer to supporting a new national monument in Colorado

Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper issued a thoughtful statement  regarding the future of the Dolores River canyon country in Western Colorado.

The Dolores, with towering red sandstone cliffs carved by millions of years of wind and water, is an ideal habitat for desert bighorn sheep and the peregrine falcon. It is home to threatened and endangered bird species like the Gunnison sage-grouse, southwestern willow flycatcher and the western yellow-billed cuckoo. Three native fish can be found in its waters: flannelmouth sucker, bluehead sucker, and roundtail chub. 

Now let’s take the next step, translate this extensive public support into decisive action. The designation of the Dolores Canyons as a national monument offers a unique opportunity to safeguard its natural beauty and ecological significance for future generations.

We urge Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to consider the following points as they consider their support for the community proposal to designate the area in Mesa and Montrose counties as a monument:

• Ecological Importance: The Dolores Canyons region is home to diverse ecosystems and numerous wildlife species from birds to rare desert plants. Designating it as a national monument would provide the necessary protections to preserve these natural habitats.
• Cultural and Historical Significance: The region holds significant cultural and historical value for Tribes and communities. A national monument designation would honor and protect these cultural resources.
• Public Support: Numerous polls and public meetings have shown that the majority of Coloradans strongly support conservation action for the Dolores River Canyons.

We call on Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper to take the next step and advocate for the designation of the Dolores River Canyons as a national monument. This action will honor the voices of countless Coloradans who have worked tirelessly to see this region protected, ensuring its preservation for generations to come.