Act Now- Defend Our Public Lands

Keep Public Lands in Public Hands

Our public lands are facing an immediate and serious threat: a potential sell-off that could drastically reshape our state, undermine our conservation objectives, and harm communities. Lawmakers argue that selling off public lands will generate revenue so they sneak it into budget negotiation.  Reconciliation limits public scrutiny which means these policies often get passed without real debate or input.  Once public lands are privatized, they’re nearly impossible to recover.  

The public lands community has come together and compiled critical information and urgent actions you can take at keepitpublic.co. Here, you will find:

• Details on the proposed public land sell-off and its potential consequences
• Easy steps to contact your elected officials to voice your opposition.
• Information on national and regional efforts to protect public lands.
• Resources to stay informed on the latest developments.

STEPS YOU CAN TAKE NOW to speak up for public lands:

1. Learn more about what a sell-off means, why it’s a misguided idea, and what actions you can take at keepitpublic.co. 
2. Write or call your representatives by May 6. WSCC members can contact U.S. Representative Hurd (contact information below).
3. Spread the word!

Example message to oppose a public lands sell-off:

“As your constituent and a proud Coloradan living on the Western Slope, I care deeply about our public lands. From our National Forests to our BLM lands, these places are central to our area’s identity, economy, and way of life.  Recent efforts at the federal level to facilitate the sale of public lands put Colorado’s lands – and the communities who depend on them – at serious risk. Selling off or privatizing public lands would limit public access and strip away environmental protections that safeguard our air, water, and wildlife, leaving Colorado’s communities to bear the consequences.”

Oppose the Productive Public Lands Act

U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd wants the federal government to lift recently imposed restrictions on oil and gas production and the utilization of other resources across millions of acres of public lands in Colorado and other Western states.  On March 10th, Representative Hurd introduced the Productive Public Lands Act, which would overturn several of the BLM’s finalized Resource Management Plans–plans that are based on public process and years of community engagement and expert review–with unbalanced “energy dominant” alternatives.

As above, let your representatives know you do not support this legislation.

Example message to oppose the Productive Public Lands Act:

“I oppose the so-called Productive Public Lands Act. Resource management plans are the product of a public process, extensive community engagement, and expert analysis of environmental impacts. Throwing out these finalized plans for industry-friendly alternatives is an insult to all your constituents who have worked to balance multiple-uses on our public lands.” 

TIP: Personalizing your message(s) with your own experience and why you appreciate our public lands, as well as including your name and address, will make for the strongest comments. 

US Congressman Jeff Hurd (CO-03)

See this earlier post for contact information for Colorado Senators.