Hundreds of people flocked to Naturita on Friday afternoon, April 26, for U.S. Senator John Hickenlooper’s visit to the West End. There, in the old elementary school gym, the senator appeared to listen to concerns from locals in the community who have an opinion on a potential monument along and beyond the Dolores River Canyon.
In a community of people that often feel unheard, and who also have been repeatedly disappointed that decisions are made on the Front Range and greater U.S. that affect them, the listening session was established to give folks a voice.
As of press time, Hickenlooper had not taken a position on the issue, as was stated at the opening of the meeting by former Republican leader Don Coram. Coram added Hickenlooper is typically fair and does listen to his constituents.
When Hickenlooper took the mic, he said that he’s spent time visiting the West End during his eight years as governor of Colorado. He said he cares about future generations.
Sean Pond spoke first. Pond started the petition opposing a monument on Feb. 20 this year, after hearing about its proposal. He expressed disappointment that the West End people hadn’t been included in the discussions about it, since it directly affects them. He continued that the “multitude of tourists” are not here, and the land is already protected.
Various speakers, from the region, took to the mic and brought up the need for keeping access to the resources in the mineral belt, including geologist Bob Larson, of Ouray.
Clifford Chiles, a rancher and a mining company co-owner, referenced the need for clean power for the future of the U.S. He said the monument also threatens grazing for cattlemen, but also rights for all stakeholders in the area.
“Let’s leave it the way it is,” Chiles said.
Tony Adkins, another geologist with 40 years’ experience, spoke. Adkins said it doesn’t make sense to lock up the prolific minerals that exist in the local region. As an expert in the field, he’s already required to meet rigorous standards to do his job, and he’s fully bonded.
“There are plentiful protections in place,” he said.
He continued to explain the phrase “valid, existing mining claims” is quite litigious and hard to define in court. He said the statement is essentially meaningless.
He called for definition of maps and terms about the proposed monument to have a discussion, but he thinks proponents so far have acted in an overbearing manner.
Those from Norwood showed up in opposition to the monument, and Mayor Candy Meehan spoke her concerns about solar energy projects too.
Doylene Garvey spoke on behalf of her family’s centennial ranch, and other legacy ranchers, explaining the perseverance of the West End, reiterating that coal has been shut down and that people have been watching the price of uranium and the changing market.
Carla Reams said the monument was a threat to the local livelihood, and that locals are already stewards of the land. She asked for legislators to listen to “those who will be affected most, not those who will be merely passing through."
Richard Craig, former mayor of Nucla, repeated that nobody came and talked to the West end about their “backyard.”
Sarah Lavender Smith, of Telluride, showed up to support the monument. Her grandfather helped establish the Club Ranch (which later became Uravan), and she wants to see the West End move beyond the “boom or bust” economy. She thinks a monument would support that.
Roger Rash, Montrose County Commissioner, expressed disappointment that nobody from Montrose County has been contacted “about such a large land grab.” He said commissioners negotiated for a national conservation area for nine years for protections — but to no avail.
The listening session was mostly professional and organized, though impassioned. Lavender was booed for her statements, however. The few interruptions that happened were silenced, so people could finish their comments.
