Wilderness Champion Calls for Uniting to Preserve Ten West Slope Treasures

A Call to Safeguard Colorado’s Treasured Public Lands

The debate over how best to manage Colorado’s public lands is as lively as ever. Across the Western Slope, conservation advocates are sounding the alarm on new industrial development proposals that, if allowed to proceed, could irrevocably alter wild landscapes we cherish. A recent Wild for Good report from the Wilderness Workshop—a group that has been working to secure wilderness designations since 1967—brings into sharp focus the fragile balance between economic development and the natural beauty that makes Colorado unique.

In this opinion piece, we take a closer look at the pressing issues confronting our public lands by discussing the tricky parts of modern land management, the overwhelmingly important need for wilderness protection, and the potential costs of unchecked extractive industries. Here, we dive into the key regions identified in the report and explain how their natural wealth is at risk in today’s political and economic climate.

Facing the Push for Extractive Industries: What’s at Stake?

With recent proposals emerging from higher levels of government encouraging increased oil and gas leasing on federal lands, many residents are skeptical about the true benefits of such moves. Critics argue that these initiatives are less about laying the groundwork for economic prosperity and more about the temptation to monetize pristine public lands. The result, as the report suggests, is a scenario loaded with issues—where environmental degradation and the loss of wild spaces become the hidden complexities of modern development.

Some key points about the current policy push include:

Increased extractive uses on federal lands
Possible sale of public lands to pay down national debt
A significant tilt toward oil, gas, and mining operations
A corresponding reduction in conservation efforts that protect ecosystems

This combination of initiatives is not without consequences. Proponents of increased development often paint it as an essential element for economic growth. However, if we look at the fine points of wilderness management, the trade-offs are clear: We risk losing natural corridors for wildlife, degrading water quality, and harming the recreational lands that have long provided Colorado with its rugged charm.

Unpacking the Colorado River Headwaters: Nature’s Lifeline

The headwaters of the Colorado River represent one of the state’s most critical natural systems, and they are now under serious threat from lowering levels of ecosystem protection. The Wild for Good report highlights the need for major protections at these lower elevations where wildlife roams between formerly designated areas.

Advocates are urging the Bureau of Land Management to expand wilderness protections in the region—a move that could help conserve the subtle parts of diverse ecosystems and ensure the long-term resilience of a landscape that many locals identify with deeply.

Issues to consider in protecting the Colorado River headwaters include:

The need to designate the Deep Creek area as a Wild and Scenic River
The preservation of free-flowing river systems that contribute to regional biodiversity
The broader aim of providing climate resiliency through the conservation of healthy ecosystems

It’s a nerve-racking prospect to think of industrial development intruding on these unspoiled natural resources. Yet, the challenge remains clear: citizens and policymakers alike must work together to steer through the conflicting demands of development and conservation.

Continental Divide Conservation: Balancing Development and Protection

Stretching along the Continental Divide from the Williams Fork Mountains to the Tenmile Range near Leadville, this region occupies an essential spot on the map of Colorado’s scenic and recreational treasures. Here, the call is for an expansion of wilderness designations as outlined in proposed legislation like the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act (CORE Act).

Supporters of increased designations are not just dealing with a single, overarching issue. Instead, they are contending with several tangled issues, including:

The intermingling of public lands with mining and logging operations
Multiple-use management rules that currently allow a range of industrial activities
The pressure from local communities who are divided between the need for economic opportunities and the desire to preserve their beloved wild spaces

Proponents for expanded wilderness protections see these measures as key to safeguarding wildlife corridors, protecting water supplies, and maintaining the untamed spirit that has drawn countless visitors for generations.

Preserving the Crystal River: A Free-Flowing Gem

The Crystal River is one of Colorado’s few remaining free-flowing waterways, extending from its headwaters in the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness to its confluence with the Roaring Fork River. This river, unimpeded by dams, is a prime example of something we risk losing in the face of industrial encroachment.

What makes the Crystal River so compelling is its nearly 40-mile stretch of water that supports both wildlife and vibrant recreational opportunities. Conservationists have been pushing to secure a Wild and Scenic River designation for this river, believing that such a status would help defend the ecosystem against the threats posed by future development.

Key benefits of preserving the Crystal River include:

Maintaining the natural flow, which is essential for a diversity of habitats
Protecting water quality and ensuring a continuous supply for local communities
Supporting outdoor recreation industries that benefit Colorado’s overall economy

Admittedly, the process of protecting the river involves sorting out a series of tricky parts, from calculating the full range of environmental benefits to working with multiple layers of government regulation. However, the long-term rewards—both ecological and recreational—make the effort well worth it.

Dolores River Canyon Country: Preservation or Exploitation?

The scenic Dolores River Canyon Country is another striking illustration of Colorado’s natural beauty. Yet even here, the specter of development looms large. A previous attempt to establish a national monument covering 400,000 acres flanking the Dolores River did not succeed, and now advocates are fighting to secure increased Bureau of Land Management protections.

The debate in this region is emblematic of a broader tension: how can we balance the need for industrial revenue against the equally important goal of preserving landscapes that are more than just economic assets? When land is seen purely as a resource to be mined, farmed, or sold off, we risk overlooking the full spectrum of benefits that untouched wilderness brings to communities, including tourism, clean water, and cultural heritage.

Those advocating for protection in the Dolores River area are calling on decision-makers to consider:

The environmental footprint of large-scale industrial projects
The economic value of sustainable outdoor recreation
The long-term ecological risks associated with unchecked development

Dinosaur National Monument: Lessons from the Past

Dinosaur National Monument has a storied past that continues to offer lessons for today’s land management debates. The monument was thrust into the national spotlight in the 1950s when plans for a dam threatened its very existence. The ensuing defeat of the Echo Park Dam was a watershed moment in conservation history and helped establish a safe haven for untamed landscapes in the aging monument.

Despite historic victories, the area around Dinosaur National Monument is now facing renewed development pressures, particularly due to initiatives aimed at expediting energy production on public lands. Advocates argue that the monument, with all its wild beauty and historical significance, should be shielded from further industrial assault.

Key takeaways from Dinosaur National Monument’s experience include:

The importance of preserving historical sites as sources of cultural and natural heritage
The benefits of a proactive approach in protecting fragile landscapes
The need to learn from past decisions to avoid repeating similar mistakes

Homestake Valley: Weighing the Impact of Potential Flooding

In the vicinity of the Holy Cross Wilderness, the Homestake Valley represents another fragile ecosystem under threat. Proposed developments, such as the construction of a dam that could flood more than 450 acres of pristine land, illustrate the recurrent issues involved in balancing infrastructure needs with environmental preservation.

The risk posed by such projects is not just an off-putting possibility for those who cherish the wild, but a tangible threat to the unique ecosystems that make the Western Slope so special. Local stakeholders, from environmental groups to community leaders, are calling for a renewed commitment to managing these delicate lands with care.

Challenges in Homestake Valley include:

Navigating the economic promises of new infrastructure against the long-term ecological costs
Ensuring that any development does not irreversibly damage natural habitats
Finding a balanced path that respects both local community needs and environmental responsibilities

Nurturing the North Fork Valley: The Intersection of Agriculture and Energy

The North Fork Valley, which supplies water for regional farms and supports burgeoning oil and gas operations, epitomizes the complex and often conflicting objectives faced by policymakers today. With its rich agricultural lands and vital water sources, the North Fork Valley is a microcosm of the larger struggle between nurturing natural resources and embracing industrial development.

Local groups have introduced proposals like the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act (GORP Act) to remove nearly 75,000 acres from oil and gas development. These efforts are aimed at creating a safer environment for local families, farmers, and wildlife alike.

Key considerations when making decisions for the North Fork Valley include:

The need to protect water quality and agricultural viability
The importance of securing enough land as a buffer against intrusive industrial activities
Balancing short-term economic gains with long-term environmental responsibilities

Red Table Mountain: The Case for Roadless Wilderness Preservation

Red Table Mountain, a striking 18-mile-long sandstone massif situated in the Sawatch Range, remains a poster child for the push to designate more wilderness areas. Surrounded by roadless expanses, the area is prized not only for its raw beauty but also for the critical wildlife habitats it supports.

Over the years, several legislative proposals have sought to enshrine Red Table Mountain’s natural values into law. Advocates argue that protecting this area from road-building and other disruptive projects is essential given its role in sustaining local ecosystems and providing opportunities for nature-based recreation.

The ongoing debate here often centers on:

How to redefine roadless areas as essential core components of public wilderness
Ensuring that development pressures from adjacent regions do not spill over
The importance of maintaining secure corridors for wildlife migration

The Roan Plateau: A Tense Struggle Over Roadless Deserts

The Roan Plateau, lying between New Castle and Grand Junction, is yet another emblem of Colorado’s treasured wilderness spaces. Historically, this high-elevation plateau has faced economic pressures as it came under heavy oil and gas leasing activity back in 2008.

In response, a series of lawsuits and conservation actions helped cancel many of these leases, reinforcing the argument that some lands are just too valuable in their natural state to be sacrificed for short-term economic benefits. Within the plateau’s vast expanse, more than 20,000 acres of roadless land have been identified as having wilderness-quality, yet increased pressure to prioritize further energy development threatens these areas once again.

Lessons from the Roan Plateau include:

The benefits of proactive legal and regulatory measures in forestalling destructive development
The need for ongoing vigilance even after previous wins have been secured
The delicate balance between allowing economic activity and preserving the inherent values of wild, untouched lands

Protecting the Thompson Divide: Cementing a Legacy of Conservation

The Thompson Divide, spanning a sprawling 250,000 acres west of Carbondale, is seen by environmentalists as one of Colorado’s most critical ecosystems. In 2024, President Biden made a temporary move by removing oil and gas leasing from over 220,000 acres for a period of 20 years. However, many argue that this pause is only a short-term fix in a region that requires permanent safeguards to fend off the onslaught of industrial encroachment.

The debate over the Thompson Divide is emblematic of how hard it can be to sort out a sustainable future for our public lands. Advocates for permanent protection point to the long-term benefits of maintaining an unbroken ecosystem for wildlife, outdoor recreation, and local communities alike.

Important factors to consider in protecting the Thompson Divide are:

The ongoing legal and political battles over public land use
The need for legislation that secures permanent land protections
The benefits, such as increased biodiversity and stable water supplies, that come from an intact wilderness ecosystem

A Comparative Snapshot of Colorado’s At-Risk Regions

To better understand the spectrum of challenges highlighted by the Wild for Good report, consider the following table that summarizes each key region and its associated concerns:

Region	Main Conservation Concerns	Potential Remedies
Colorado River Headwaters	Threats to free-flowing water; habitat disturbance	Wild and Scenic River designation; expanded wilderness protections
Continental Divide Area	Industrial encroachment on public lands	Expansion under the CORE Act; increased veteran wilderness designations
Crystal River	Loss of free-flowing conditions; risk to watershed integrity	Protecting headwaters; Wild and Scenic River designation
Dolores River Canyon Country	Potential reduction in federal protections; insufficient management	Expansion of BLM protections; consideration of national monument status
Dinosaur National Monument	Increased energy production pressures	Enhanced regulatory oversight; historic preservation initiatives
Homestake Valley	Risk of dam-induced flooding	Re-evaluation of infrastructure projects; stricter environmental review
North Fork Valley	Fueling oil and gas development in agricultural regions	GORP Act; stricter land-use restrictions
Red Table Mountain	Encroachment of road-building and development	Designation of roadless wilderness areas; legislative action
Roan Plateau	Past oil and gas leasing controversies; pressure for renewed development	Permanent protection of roadless areas; legal safeguards
Thompson Divide	Temporary protections with looming industrial threats	Long-term legislative commitments; permanent conservation measures

Balancing Economic Needs with the Preservation of Nature’s Wonders

It is clear that the challenge we face is not one of choosing between progress and preservation, but rather in figuring a path that integrates both. Colorado’s communities, rural and urban alike, benefit from the revenue generated by natural resources, yet the long-term health of these lands is essential for sustainable prosperity. In many ways, the development of industrial projects and the preservation of wilderness are on a collision course over the same territory.

What complicates matters significantly are the multiple layers of decision-making involving different government bodies. Here is a breakdown of some of the key players and their roles:

Federal agencies like the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, which manage vast acreages of land under sometimes conflicting mandates
Local and state governments, which deal with the immediate impacts on communities and local economies
Environmental advocates and conservation groups who frequently emphasize the subtle details of ecological health
Industry proponents who see public lands as a critical asset for resource extraction and economic growth

The overarching challenge is to work through these tangled issues by finding common ground where environmental sustainability and economic development meet. In doing so, stakeholders can help ensure that growth does not come at the expense of the state’s priceless wilderness heritage.

Charting a Course Forward: A Community-Driven Perspective

In recent years, public sentiment has leaned heavily in favor of protecting large swaths of Colorado’s public lands. The outcry witnessed over proposals to sell off millions of acres is a testament to the power of grassroots activism. Outdoor enthusiasts, local businesses, and conservation advocates are all working in tandem to ensure that new legislation does not undo decades of hard-won progress.

Some community-based strategies that have proven successful include:

Organizing local meetings and public hearings to discuss land management
Campaigning for legislative action that secures permanent rather than temporary protections
Educating citizens on the benefits of preserving critical water systems and wildlife habitats
Collaborating with regional stakeholders to present a unified voice in policy discussions

These efforts highlight the fact that the wild spaces of Colorado are not merely areas for recreation—they are central to the state’s cultural and economic identities. By taking a proactive stance, communities are not only preserving a way of life but also paving the way for future generations to enjoy the same stunning landscapes.

Working Through Political and Regulatory Twists and Turns

One of the most intimidating aspects of this overall debate is the persistence of political and bureaucratic hurdles. On one hand, industrial lobbyists push for deregulation and expedited resource extraction, while on the other, environmental groups fight relentlessly to protect every last acre of untamed terrain. This struggle is replete with tricky parts and twisted regulations that often seem designed to favor short-term gains over long-term sustainability.

Key political considerations include:

The influence of lobbying efforts by major energy companies
An often overwhelming regulatory framework that can make it nerve-racking for local advocates to get their voices heard
The challenge of translating community sentiment into effective public policy

Although the mixture of intensive lobbying and entrenched bureaucratic policies may seem like insurmountable challenges, history has shown that persistent, well-organized grassroots movements can result in significant policy reversals. It is through careful planning and coordinated action that stakeholders can figure a path to a brighter future, one that makes your state’s natural legacy a must-have priority for all.

Charting the Path to Lasting Environmental Legislation

While short-term fixes—like temporary bans on oil and gas leasing—can alleviate immediate concerns, the conversation must ultimately shift toward permanent solutions. The focus should be on fostering a regulatory environment that respects both economic realities and the priceless ecological heritage of Colorado’s public lands.

Some steps that could lead to lasting change include:

Enacting permanent legislative protections for key regions identified in the Wild for Good report
Strengthening the legal framework to ensure that future extractive practices do not undermine environmental integrity
Fostering greater collaboration between conservation groups, local communities, and policy makers
Investing in educational programs that emphasize the direct benefits of wilderness conservation for regional economies

Legislative efforts such as the CORE Act and the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act represent promising beginnings. However, the successful passage and implementation of these measures require broad public support and a willingness among policymakers to take a hard look at the long-term consequences of their actions.

A Final Word: The Future of Colorado’s Wilderness

As Colorado stands at a crossroads between industrial ambition and environmental stewardship, the choices made today will echo for generations. The Wild for Good report is not just a list of areas in need of protection—it is a call to action for every Colorado citizen who cherishes the state’s abundant natural beauty.

There is no doubt that the road ahead is full of problems. Whether it is figuring a path through complex political landscapes or managing your way through the nerve-racking layers of regulatory change, the stakes are high. The decisions made now will define the legacy of our public lands and determine if future generations will have the opportunity to enjoy the same free-flowing rivers, rugged canyons, and expansive wild spaces that we have had the privilege to experience.

What remains clear is that a balanced approach is not only possible—it is essential. As citizens and stewards of the land, it is incumbent upon us all to stand up, speak out, and work tirelessly to protect Colorado’s treasured wilderness. Only then can we ensure that our state’s legacy remains unspoiled amid the rush for industrial gains.

By working collectively across community lines and embracing innovative, forward-thinking policies, Colorado can prove that economic progress and environmental protection need not be mutually exclusive. In fact, they can complement one another in a way that guarantees a sustainable and vibrant future.

It is time to take decisive action, to navigate through the confusing bits and twisted issues of current policies, and to secure a future where our public lands remain a lasting source of inspiration, recreation, and life-supporting natural wealth.

Originally Post From https://coloradosun.com/2025/10/07/wilderness-workshop-wild-for-good/