As someone deeply invested in our local outdoor recreation community through my retail business, I wholeheartedly support the proposed Dolores Canyons National Monument. This is not just a beautiful landscape, it is the lifeblood of businesses like mine.

Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of the economy across the state. According to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Colorado’s outdoor industry contributed $11.6 billion to our state’s GDP in 2021 alone. Nowhere is this more evident than in our local communities, where there has been a marked increase in camping, rafting, biking, hiking and hunting.

Continued success hinges on accessibility to our magnificent public lands. Designating the northern reaches of the Dolores River Canyon Country as a national monument will enshrine public access, ensuring that residents and visitors can enjoy these treasures for generations. As interest in outdoor recreation soars across Colorado, a national monument designation would enable land managers to better prepare for growing visitation to the region by providing amenities and access, while at the same time safeguarding sensitive ecosystems and cultural resources.

I represent just one of the many businesses in the outdoor industry that stand to gain from this designation. I believe that we all benefit from open space and public lands.

I urge our Colorado elected officials to call on President Joe Biden to designate the Dolores Canyons National Monument. It is a step toward securing our economic future and protecting the natural beauty that defines the Western Slope.

Jeff and Heather Mobley

Cortez