Political Quotes

“With this amendment, this body has the opportunity to say loudly and clearly: Let's keep our public lands public. Public lands are a massive economic generator and are important to our health and welfare as Americans. They are beautiful, and they are healing. I recently got to hear from a veteran in Eagle County, and part of his recovery process is the time he spends outdoors on our public lands. They are also practical. They help ensure for water quality and maintain the critical aspects of rural life like farming, ranching, grazing, and logging. Public lands are where our hunters and fishermen go to enjoy the outdoors. They are where skiers, hikers, bikers, and motorists experience activities that are impossible in other places and are invaluable to their quality of life. Outdoor enthusiasts utilize those areas. It is a vast economic driver as well. In fact, over $646 billion is generated economically through our public lands, and visiting our public lands supports over 6 million jobs, including many in my district and many in our great State of Colorado. When recently polled across six western States, the American people said with 96 percent support--with unheard of levels of support--that protecting public lands for future generations is one of their top priorities and that, above and apart from any other, they see the maintenance for access of outdoor activities on our public lands as a critical focus of our Federal Government.…”