Pass the CORE Act, please

Re: “Three acts in Congress to preserve, grow and heal our public lands,” April 11 editorial

Your recent editorial made some really important points about the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act. First was that the public lands package in 2019 passed over the CORE Act, despite the fact that each portion of the bill was a decade in the making, by residents from the specific regions. These are true community driven proposals, evidenced by overwhelming support from local governments and affected stakeholders including ranchers, conservationists, private property and water rights holders, businesses, and many more.

That’s why I, as a small business owner in Durango, also support the CORE Act, and why I extend my thanks to Sen. John Hickenlooper for joining Sen. Michael Bennet in sponsoring this legislation. People from all over the state visit my shop to find the gear they need to visit these very areas, adding to the outdoor recreation industry’s massive contribution to Colorado’s economy. The CORE Act will also significantly help in reaching the goal of 30% of U.S. lands and waters protected by 2030 — a vital measure in mitigating the climate and extinction crisis facing us. And all of this would be done without harming the many existing uses of these lands. The CORE Act, which has already passed the U.S. House, is a truly balanced effort.

Chase LaCroix, Durango