Public lands are not for sale

Like many Coloradans, I spend weekends on our public lands — in places like the Frying Pan, where human noise fades and the joyous squeaks of pikas take over. I go not for adrenaline or mountain-climbing glory, but to fall asleep on the same pine duff where elk have rested for millennia. These are places where I can smell fresh mountain streams and stand in awe beneath each evening’s alpenglow. Having access to them brought me back to my childhood home — and keeps me here. Humans need places where our souls can rest with wild things.

As Aldo Leopold wrote, “We can be ethical only in relation to something we can see, feel, understand, love, or otherwise have faith in.” Our public lands are portals to that connection, and it is there I place my faith, recreation, and service.

That’s why Peter Arlein’s Aug. 8 guest column, “Defending Colorado’s public lands…” resonated with me. I can’t imagine arriving at a trailhead to find a locked gate or “Private Property” sign — turned away from places that are an extension of our home.

We’re fortunate to have public lands, but that doesn’t mean they’re safe. If they’re sold off, we won’t be asked for permission. Like Peter said, we can’t just fight off bad ideas — we have to go on offense. So we must protect more of what makes Colorado unique — ensuring wildlife has room to roam, that our children learn the meaning of wild, and keeping our water clean.

Let’s speak up, write letters, and tell our elected officials: Public lands are not for sale — not now, not ever.

Katie Brimm, Carbondale

LIFT-UP should explain new direction

Through grassroots conversations this past weekend and this week, I learned that the LIFT-UP organization has adopted a new direction that involves the disposal of the real estate that houses its thrift stores and food pantries in Parachute and Rifle. This was confirmed to me by interim director Elyse Hottel in an email.

There have been indications of the financial issues LIFT-UP has faced over the past year, as seen in the requests to government entities to help with funding. However, there has not been much transparency with the Aspen-to-Parachute corridor community about the state of affairs other than “contributions have decreased.” One question I would raise is why the organization invested recently (2023-24) in property in one of the higher-priced communities, which necessitated another property payment if contributions were decreasing.

I would challenge those who have a heart for helping others when they need a helping hand, and those tasked by job or election with developing and maintaining our beautiful and vibrant area, to reach out and ask LIFT-UP to clarify why they chose this path.

LIFT-UP board members and staff can be found on their website on the “About Us” page. Hover your mouse over the individual name for their contact information.

Lynn Roe, Rifle