As the mayor of Grand Junction, I have the privilege of representing the largest community on Colorado’s Western Slope. Our city, the place I grew up in, is surrounded by awe-inspiring beauty defined by public lands. Our neighbors have long been the stewards of these lands, which are as diverse as they are breathtaking and which hold a tapestry of natural wonders, cultural treasures, and a rich historical legacy. Grand Junction is a gateway to these special lands and we welcome visitors from the world over.

Today, I write to you, my fellow Coloradans, and to our statewide elected leaders with an impassioned plea to support protecting the northern portion of the Dolores River Canyon Country as a national monument. Taking this step will preserve a magnificent place, it will bolster rural economies of western Colorado, and it will conserve a trove of cultural, historical, and natural treasures for generations to come.

The Dolores River Canyon Country, which includes public lands in Mesa County, is a testament to the grandeur of our state and the enduring spirit of its inhabitants. It is a place where vivid red rock canyons tower over meandering rivers, where Indigenous cultural sites are a reminder of the communities who have called these lands home since time immemorial, and where the echoes of our state’s mining history can still be heard among the rugged cliffs. The Dolores River itself sustains a unique riparian environment and is a sanctuary for numerous species of plants, birds, and aquatic life. It is a place of profound ecological significance and a refuge for residents and visitors seeking solace in the natural world.

Colorado Sen. Michael Bennet has introduced legislation to designate a National Conservation Area that could conserve 68,000 acres of the river corridor through the Ponderosa Gorge, championing the conservation for the southern portion of the Dolores River Canyon Country. However, the northern portion, in Mesa and Montrose counties, remains vulnerable to impacts from development, misaligned management and stresses from a changing climate. Designation of a national monument for these lands would cap a 50-year effort to conserve the Dolores and complement the legislation to the south championed by Sen. Bennet.

This year, while flows were high, the Dolores River offered world-class boating, attracting visitors from across the nation. The Unaweep-Tabeguache Scenic Byway provides easy access to stunning views ensuring that everyone can enjoy these lands, not just those with expensive equipment or the physical ability to hike far into the backcountry. The protection afforded by a national monument would ensure recreational opportunities remain accessible and untarnished for the enjoyment of all.

The Dolores River Canyon Country also holds a remarkable historical legacy. The remnants of mining operations are present throughout the region, serving as a tangible reminder of the intrepid individuals who once toiled in these rugged landscapes and whose descendants live here today. This history is an essential part of our story and our country’s security, and it deserves recognition and preservation for future generations to explore and understand.

By protecting this incredible place as a national monument, we can strike a balance between a variety of interests with a stake in the future of these public lands while building strong and resilient rural economies. A national monument is a flexible tool that protects existing rights and uses, like livestock grazing, while safeguarding important values of the land, like clean water, healthy wildlife, and outdoor recreation opportunities. Uranium mining has long played a role in the economies of western Colorado; a national monument will conserve important lands and honor the local mining history and would specifically exclude the lands with the highest mining potential. The lands would continue to be managed by the BLM, and no one is proposing entry fees or gates.

Our state has a long and proud tradition of conservation and stewardship of our natural and cultural resources, from Great Sand Dunes National Park to the Colorado National Monument in my community’s backyard.

I urge my fellow elected leaders, including Colorado’s senators, governor and other officials, to heed the call of our community and support the designation of a national monument. Let us come together to protect this extraordinary landscape and ensure the Dolores River Canyon Country stands as a testament to our enduring commitment to preserving the splendor of western Colorado. We can spur economic redevelopment of rural communities near the Dolores and welcome visitors to Grand Junction as a base camp to explore Colorado’s newest national monument.

In doing so, we honor our past, safeguard our present, and invest in a future where the natural beauty of Colorado continues to inspire and enrich the lives of all who call this beautiful state home. A vision for a national monument to complete the conservation for the Dolores is a vision we can all embrace — a vision that transcends political boundaries and differences, a vision that unites us in our shared love for the majestic landscapes of our beloved Colorado.

Anna Stout has lived in Grand Junction since 1988. She was elected to the city council in 2019 and has served as mayor since 2022. Anna is the CEO of Roice-Hurst Humane Society and is a certified Spanish interpreter/translator. She grew up hiking, camping, climbing, and recreating on public lands in and around Mesa County.