Despite Trump’s anti-public lands stance, Colorado advocates still hope to protect Dolores River canyonlands

The Dolores River is one of Colorado ’s “last, best wild places” Advocates had hoped former President Joe Biden would designate the rugged canyonlands along the river in far-west Colorado as a monument before he left office.

Biden created or expanded 12 monuments during his four-year administration but did not take action on the river.

With the new administration antagonistic to national monuments, advocates for greater protection of the river will instead pursue the creation of a national conservation area.

Leaders from Mesa and Montrose counties last year published a plan for a much-smaller conservation area covering 29,806 acres along the river.

A national conservation area designation protects the land from being designated a monument down the road.

Leaders in multiple Western states in recent years have attempted to undermine federal ownership of large parcels within their borders.

Anti-public lands movement has not reached the mainstream political culture in Colorado , advocates say.

A recent attempt by a group called the Free Land Holder Committee to seize 1,460 acres of Forest Service land in southwestern Colorado was met with fierce resistance.

“ Colorado thankfully sees its public lands as an asset,” said Kate Groetzinger , the communications director for the Center for Western Priorities .