Contacts:
- Jay Chancellor, Colorado Advocacy Campaigns Manager, Trout Unlimited – jay.chancellor@tu.org
- Bryan Jones, Regional Policy Coordinator, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers – jones@backcountryhunters.org
COLORADO – Today, the Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition, led by Trout Unlimited and Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, has expanded its membership, as local businesses pledge their support for public land protections.
- Mayfly Outdoors (Ross Reels, Abel Reels, Airflo, Dyna-King) – Montrose, CO
- Scott Fly Rods – Montrose, CO
- Big Trout Brewing – Winter Park, CO
- Black Canyon Anglers – Austin, CO
- Duranglers – Durango, CO
- RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service – Ridgway, CO
- The San Juan Angler – Durango, CO
- Western Anglers – Grand Junction, CO
The Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition, launched earlier this year, is advocating for a national monument designation or other means of permanent protection in the Dolores Canyons of western Colorado. This region is one of the largest expanses of unprotected public land in the state and represents prime habitat for big game species like bighorn sheep, elk, and mule deer as well as significant populations of native Colorado River cutthroat trout. The addition of these new partners illustrates the overwhelming support among local businesses, and anglers and hunters for protecting the Dolores region.
“Outdoor recreation is big business in this state. Last year, outdoor recreation in Colorado, including hunting and fishing, contributed more than $65 billion to the economy. The industry supports over 400,000 local jobs. We are proud to produce our products in Colorado and employ 50 workers here in Montrose County and another 100 in California, Florida and the UK. At Mayfly, we understand the importance of protecting the fish and wildlife resources in the Dolores and beyond, not only for the benefit of hunters and anglers, but also for the important role that healthy public lands and waters play in driving our local economy.” – Jeff Wagner, CEO, Mayfly Outdoors (Ross Reels, Abel Reels, Airflo Fly lines, Renzetti Vises, Dyna-King Vises and Airlite fly rods)
“The Dolores canyon country is a region unlike any other in the state. Home to unparalleled geological formations, cultural history, and top-tier fish and wildlife habitat, folks have been trying to protect this landscape for years. As a local business owner who outfits and guides trips in this area, my operation depends on cold, clean water and healthy populations of trout. In the face of increasing threats from development and unmanaged recreation, now is the time to work together and conserve this incredible resource.” – Tim Patterson, Owner, RIGS Fly Shop & Guide Service
“Fishing in this part of the state has been somewhat of a well-kept secret for as long as I can remember, but in the wake of the pandemic we have seen more and more people visiting the Dolores region. Tourism is a good thing for the local economy, but there needs to be a strategy to manage environmental impacts from the influx of recreationalists. A national monument designation would continue to allow traditional activities like hunting, fishing, grazing, and existing resource development, while protecting fish and wildlife habitat and creating a concrete plan to manage use of public land in the area.” – Ned Mayers, Owner, Western Anglers Fly Shop
Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters & Anglers, and their partners in the Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition believe that the resource values of area should be conserved, and any monument proposal must allow multiple uses in appropriate locations. Designating a national monument or other means of permanent protection must protect fish and wildlife habitat, maintain public access for hunting, fishing and wildlife management, and guarantee that authority over fish and wildlife populations will be retained by state management agencies.
To learn more about the Sportsmen for the Dolores Coalition, visit: https://www.sportsmenforthedolores.org/
Follow this link to read our report, National Monuments: A Hunting and Fishing Perspective.
To add your voice to the growing number of hunters and anglers who support protections for the Dolores region, click here.
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Trout Unlimited is the nation’s leading conservation organization dedicated to caring for and recovering America’s rivers and streams so future generations can experience the joy of wild and native trout and salmon. Across the country, TU brings to bear local, regional, and national grassroots organizing, durable partnerships, and science-backed policy muscle on behalf of trout and salmon fisheries, healthy waters, and vibrant communities.