I am a lifelong hunter and angler, a veteran, 40-year resident of Colorado and a lifetime member of Backcountry Hunters and Anglers.
I would like to express my disappointment at Rep. Tipton’s assisting and approving of the passage of the legislative measure brought forth by Utah Congressman Rob Bishop to ease the transfer of America’s and Colorado’s public lands to state control.
We, the citizens of Colorado, cannot afford this financial burden, and in the words of Colorado Governor Hickenlooper, “Shifting the burden of maintaining and protecting those lands to the state would be expensive and irresponsible.” When state funds are low, Tipton would allow the sale of such properties to the highest bidder and leave Colorado citizens out of our birthright.
I have hunted and fished near Craig, Salida, Burlington, Grand Junction and Aspen, helping fund Colorado’s $17.4 billion outdoor economy. I have met and been checked by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and Bureau of Land Management employees once. In preparing to hunt these areas, an individual must look over and scout them many times. I have never encountered a road grader or crew repairing these roads. Somehow the state of Colorado will now have funds to employ more people to manage the lands better?
Tipton will still be responsible for Colorado’s clean water, clean air and any litigation encountered. Pray that no wolves wander down to Colorado because then we would have an endangered species we must protect.
I read this morning on Tipton’s Facebook page 47 comments concerning the public lands exchange. I did not see a single “thank you” for representing the interests of the residents of Colorado.
Idaho has sold nearly 14,000 acres every year since statehood to make some professional politicians look good, not to represent constituents.
Unfortunately, with Tipton’s help we are heading down that path.
Rick Seymour
Silt
