On January 24, our representative, Scott Tipton, voted to sell 3.368 million acres of our national land to the highest bidder.
These lands are currently used by anglers, hunters, hikers, climbers and bikers. These lands support a vibrant outdoor recreational economy, generate timber sales, livestock leases, and mineral and oil leases, but Mr. Tipton voted to sell them so that those recurrent incomes will be lost.
In Colorado, the land he voted to sell off is in Montrose County. The land is identified as home to endangered species and “historic/cultural resources.”
The surrounding area contains the Gunnison Gorge, famous for its rafting and fly-fishing trips, and the Uncompahgre National Forest, which is home to elk, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats.
These lands belong to all of us. Selling these lands would keep the public out of areas that hunters, anglers, and others have enjoyed for generations. Selling these lands will result in greater industrialization of them, having a profound effect on the lifestyles of residents, outdoor recreation, and the attractiveness of our state to visitors from across the country and around the world.
Did Mr. Tipton keep your interests in mind with this vote?
Tamara Hamilton
Mancos
