At Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, our mission is to protect our public lands, waters, and wildlife and the ability to continue hunting and fishing on those lands and waters. To that end, we support the designation of the Dolores Canyon National Monument as part of the Sportsmen for the Dolores alongside conservation partner Trout Unlimited, local stakeholders, and our membership nationwide.
On July 5, both of Colorado's senators released a statement regarding the proposed Dolores Canyon National Monument in southwestern Colorado, which is a great step toward gaining the political will to get permanent protections for these beautiful and wild public lands and waters.
"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.
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." - Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper
The senators highlighted that a national monument, or any conservation proposal for the region, must continue management by the U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management, as well as ensure continued hunting and fishing access. This follows BHA's prescriptions for monument designations in our report titled: "National Monuments: A Hunting and Fishing Perspective."
BHA is working on making sure our members are heard in this conversation as well, sending members to public meetings, engaging with decision-makers, and advocating through local media as well. BHA member, hunter, bird dog trainer, and conservationist Collin Hildebrand wrote an op-ed for the Durango Herald extolling the virtues of a national monument in the Dolores Canyon.
"As a proud member of the Colorado chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers and a proponent of the Sportsmen for the Dolores coalition, I am writing to voice my strong support for the designation of the Dolores Canyons as a national monument.
Our connection to the outdoors is rooted in long-standing traditions of hunting, fishing, and exploring the wild places that define Colorado. For my family and community, these activities are more than hobbies; they are how we instill values like responsibility, ethical behavior, good sportsmanship, conservation and care for the landscapes we cherish.
The Dolores Canyon Country holds a special place in our hearts. It is a prime habitat for deer, elk and desert bighorn sheep. Despite its rich biodiversity, this landscape remains the largest stretch of unprotected public lands in Colorado. Like many areas in the West, the Dolores faces mounting pressures from population growth, unmanaged recreation, and development.
The threat of losing these wild landscapes looms large." -Collin Hildebrand
Conserving our public lands and waters is imperative for the long-term health of our wildest landscapes and the fish and game that inhabit them. By joining the Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition and advocating for the Dolores Canyon National Monument, hunters and anglers can continue our legacy of conservation into the future.
Read more about the Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition here and become a member of BHA today.
About Thomas Plank