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Rafters are flocking to the Dolores River in southwest Colorado as record flows create some of the river’s best rafting conditions in decades. The strong flows are a result of record-high snowpack in the Dolores River Basin, which reached 237 percent of the median snow water equivalent for the month of April.
The influx of recreationists brings momentum to ongoing local efforts to permanently protect the Dolores River Canyon. Legislation from U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper and U.S. Representative Lauren Boebert would establish a new national conservation area on the upper section of the river. In addition, a coalition of community members, outdoor recreationists, and conservation groups strongly supports establishing permanent protections for the Dolores River Canyon—a sentiment that is shared by 90 percent of Coloradans.
Watch the Center for Western Priorities’ short 4-minute video, an installment of our Road to 30 Postcards campaign, to hear from a native fish biologist, a county commissioner, and a healthy rivers advocate about what makes this region so special.
Fossil fuel-friendly lawmakers tie debt ceiling to handouts for oil and gas industry
Last week, the House narrowly passed H.R.2811, which would lift America’s debt limit, avoiding the economic catastrophe that would ensue if the U.S. defaults on its debt payments. But as Center for Western Priorities Policy Director Rachael Hamby details in a new blog post, the package is full of industry handouts and would grant a wish list of exemptions from environmental review requirements. This approach is the exact opposite of what Westerners say they want their lawmakers to prioritize, and demonstrates that fossil fuel allies in the House care only about giveaways to oil and gas companies.
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Recreation is how you begin to love a place and learn about a place. It’s hard to care about something you’ve never seen.”
