Air monitors and limits on growth could help

Thanks to Don Gillespie for his letter on June 9 in the PI referencing another pressing issue in my environmentally fevered brain. We allow our air to be immeasurably fouled because who is going to do anything about it? At least an air monitor would, as Hooner mentioned, give us a chance to hide in our homes.

We seem not to be in control of our water use promises for housing growth either, because of water rights that date to a former time when weather (climate) was different and water was abundant. Oil and gas water use is never mentioned. And the irony of a monitor going to Battlement Mesa after most of the noxious drilling has moved on is rich.

It is a common belief that my right to drive or fly, whatever, whenever and wherever, has little to do with changing temperatures or air quality, or anyone else’s right to breathe. Here, this is coupled with unregulated growth and the valley jobs dynamic.

If this valleywide community wants to remain a good place to live, brakes will have to be applied. The many reasons that growth will have to be limited can and will become clearer when we actually measure and monitor our limited resources and extrapolate into the future. An air monitor may open some eyes.

Barb Coddington, Glenwood Springs

A teacher’s plea to protect the public lands we love

My name is Nikole Yeiser, and I grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley. I am an alumna of Basalt High School, Fort Lewis College, and the Teachers College at Columbia University, and I am currently an educator at Basalt Middle School. I am writing to you today with concern about the wild places surrounding our homes.

In the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, introduced on May 20, there is an addition for the sale of federal land held by the BLM and Forest Service. This land includes many areas where I enjoy spending my time. Places like the Lunch Loops outside of Grand Junction, Animas City Mountain outside of Durango, land that ski areas sit on in Vail, and the mountains north of Aspen, surrounding Ruedi Reservoir, the Fryingpan, Roaring Fork and Crystal rivers, and more. In the state of Colorado, there would be about 14 million acres of public land potentially up for sale. The map of land potentially for sale can be found by googling: Public lands eligible for sale in the Senate Reconciliation Bill.

The bill also includes restrictions on what type of land can be sold and dictates that land can only be sold for infrastructure or housing; however, the requirements of sale and land use restrictions expire 10 years after the sale, meaning the land could be turned into anything after 10 years.

Our representative, Jeff Hurd, stated publicly to the Denver Post that he opposed selling off public lands without the input of the locals the sales would impact. Yet he voted in favor of the bill, including the selling off of public lands, when he cast his vote in May.

I ask that we let Representative Hurd know how the selling of these public lands would affect us, the people who use them the most, by calling him at any of his offices.

D.C.: (202) 225-4676
Grand Junction: (970) 208-0455
Durango: (970) 317-6167
Pueblo: (719) 696-6968

Nikole Yeiser, Glenwood Springs

Selling public lands is an attack on our heritage

I am writing to express my strong opposition to the provision in the Senate reconciliation bill that would allow for the sale of public lands. This proposal is short-sighted, misguided and fundamentally un-American.

Public lands are one of our country’s greatest treasures. They provide space for recreation, habitat for wildlife, and natural beauty for all to enjoy—not just those who can afford to buy it. These lands are held in trust for all Americans, present and future, not to be auctioned off behind closed doors as a budget gimmick.

Selling off public lands undermines the very principle of shared stewardship. It’s a move that puts corporate interests ahead of public interest. Once these lands are sold, they’re gone for good, fenced off, exploited or developed, with no guarantee they’ll ever be accessible to the public again. We’ve seen this playbook before, and we know who loses: the average American who enjoys hiking, fishing, hunting, camping, or simply experiencing the peace of the outdoors.

These lands are part of our identity and legacy. They are our shared heritage, not surplus inventory to be liquidated for short-term financial gain. Any attempt to sell them off is an attack on that heritage and should be treated as such.

I urge our senators to reject any measure that includes the disposal of public lands. And I encourage fellow citizens to speak out. Once these lands are gone, they’re gone forever. Let’s protect what’s ours and what belongs to all of us.

Maxim Rand, Carbondale