This fall, we visited the heart of the Dolores River Canyons in Western Colorado. I biked an old mining road that overlooked the Paradox Valley where Utah’s La Sal Mountains rose above the red sandstone mesa, and the Dolores River meandered perpendicular to the wide valley. This landscape has inspired decades of passionate conservation efforts – and it’s easy to see why. Its beauty is not just seen, but felt, and reminds us why we decided to build a business with these beautiful lands at the heart of it.
The magic of the Dolores River Canyons has motivated members of local communities to work to protect the region’s distinct, magnificent canyons, wildlife habitat, and its pockets of biodiversity. As owners of a regional business that helps people get outside and experience remarkable landscapes, we understand the need for protected public lands that are thoughtfully managed for recreation, conservation, and traditional uses such as cattle grazing. Colorado has a $17.2 billion outdoor economy so safeguarding places like the Dolores is simply good for business.
Over the past year and a half, the proposal to designate a national monument in the northern Dolores Canyons has gained broad support. It is seen as a way to balance the land’s diverse uses while ensuring stronger protections and more effective management for the future. It is backed by thousands of local residents, over 200 Colorado businesses, and numerous counties and elected officials.
Nearly everyone agrees that this place is special and we must do what we can to preserve it for future generations. Another policy solution being pursued is the creation of a National Conservation Area. An NCA is a designation that would need to go through Congress, but would likely have similar management outcomes as a national monument.
To the south, with the leadership of Sen. Michael Bennet, stakeholders upstream in Montezuma, Dolores and San Miguel counties have solidified bipartisan legislation that would create an NCA and small Special Management Area (a U.S. Forest Service designation equivalent to an NCA). This NCA is a solid framework and a good example of how a legislative solution could be applied in the north.
The next few years are shaping up to be challenging ones for public lands such as the Dolores. We are likely to see a shift toward extractive industries over outdoor recreation and habitat preservation. Large development projects could reemerge, such as the proposed hydroelectric power plant in Unaweep Canyon.
Now, more than ever, it’s crucial that we continue to advocate for lasting protections for the Dolores River and canyons. Whether you're a biker, hiker, rafter, cattle rancher, or a small-business owner, safeguarding the Dolores benefits us all. These wild landscapes are part of our shared legacy. It’s our responsibility to ensure they endure for generations to come.
As Colorado-based business owners, recreationists, and members of The Conservation Alliance – a business-led conservation organization – we applaud Colorado’s senators for their dedicated efforts in seeking a solution and urge them to keep prioritizing the protection of this irreplaceable treasure. Together, we can ensure that the Dolores Canyons remain a vibrant and cherished part of our collective future.
Julie and Reet Singh are the owners and operators of TripOutside.com, an online platform based in Durango that connects outdoor enthusiasts with human-powered adventures.
