As has already transpired in several neighboring Rocky Mountain states, Colorado will host a Public Lands Rally on the Capitol Steps tomorrow at noon.
As has been the routine so far, there are some heavy hitter conservation and advocacy groups (TU, TRCP, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers and others) hoping to round up the troops and make a strong showing.
(By the way, the Greenbacks are hosting a post-rally early happy hour at Stoney’s Bar and Grill starting at 2 after the rally.)
I was at an event last night in Alabama and the topic of public lands actually came up in a discussion with a ‘gentleman’ there. As is often the case, spending his entire 60ish years living in the South he really didn’t understand what vast blocks of public land accessible by everyone truly means.
He went on to decry ‘all the hubbub’ over public lands in the West and, at the point I ended our conversation with a simple and polite declaration that he was full of sh*t, said that all the rallies and ‘whining’ were a waste of time.
He couldn’t be more wrong.
While the issue is far more complex than simply stating that evil corporate interests are after Western lands to rape and pillage (a position espoused by some of the more extremist groups out there), we continue to stand with those calling for preserving public lands intact for all Americans.
(It’s about time somebody actually drilled down and told the truth, in detail, about the public lands debate; we haven’t seen both sides of the argument laid out in a cogent presentation yet. I have a feeling that would crystalize the issue – on the side of preservation – for those still sitting on the fence or who might not have a dog in the fight so to speak…)
The weather tomorrow in Denver sounds about perfect for this time of year – a springlike 38 with snow showers after 2.
Get ‘er done Colorado.
