GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX) — A local group is asking Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper to answer the call.
As part of the Protect the Dolores coalition, Western Slope officials, advocates, families and community members are asking the senators to support the creation of the Dolores Canyon National Monument. This will be done as part of a press conference to be held at 11 a.m., Friday, at Butterfly Pond in Los Colonias Park, 1601 Riverfront Drive in Grand Junction.
The group said it wants community members "to remember this is about people, not political games."
Although most Coloradans support conservation efforts for the Dolores, the way to maintain it has been up for debate.
In July, Hickenlooper and Bennet said in a joint statement that the Dolores must be permanently protected and provided guidance on how to do so. However, the senators did not say anything about a Dolores Canyon National Monument.
Mesa and Montrose counties announced the same month they will not go for a national monument designation for Dolores Canyon. They said the next step should be a Dolores Canyon National Conservation Area (NCA) map as a way to balance resource conservation, multiple-use principles, economic prosperity and local values.
The Protect the Dolores coalition said in its release that over 100,000 people have signed petitions calling for a national monument. It also noted the City of Grand Junction has supported the idea.
According to the release, "A national monument would preserve the majestic landscape for future generations, create opportunities for economic development and protect the region’s most biologically and culturally-rich public lands from mining speculation and other development while continuing to honor existing claims and traditional uses."