I spent 30 years working on public land issues in Colorado, and in that time, no one came close to the work Sen. Michael Bennet did to protect our beloved lands. He has protected over 700,000 acres of public land across Colorado – including right here in Southwest Colorado.
The Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act would not be law without Bennet. He partnered with us to get the details right, and added a provision banning oil and gas development on Perins Peak, Animas Mountain, Horse Gulch and Lake Nighthorse Basin — essentially a ring of recreation and wildlife habitat protection around Durango.
I also worked with him on the Dolores River National Conservation Area legislation. His engagement – field tours, encouraging compromises among stakeholders – made the bill possible. It has passed muster in the Senate more than once and now needs only Jeff Hurd’s support to become law.
His record runs deep. Bennet authored the GORP Act, Colorado’s largest public lands bill in the Senate since the 1990s, with bipartisan support, including Rep. Hurd. He secured National Monument protection for Chimney Rock, Camp Hale and Browns Canyon. He introduced the CORE Act to protect lands statewide, including the Ice Lakes Basin. He helped restore Bears Ears National Monument.
The common thread through all his work is Michael’s commitment to local communities. His love of conservation will serve us well as governor, with bold ideas to expand state parks and wildlife areas. He gets us, our values and our communities. He’s earned our vote.
Jeff Widen
Durango