On the recordOctober 30, 2019
Mr. Chair, I rise today to support my amendment to be able to protect longstanding grazing rights in the Thompson Divide. Since the days of Colorado's pioneers, grazing rights have always played an essential role in the economy and the way of life. Generations of Coloradans have followed suit and continued to build a robust ranching community, including around the Thompson Divide. In my roundtable discussions with local communities affected by Federal public lands, I routinely hear how important ranching is and the importance of protecting grazing rights, and this is true of the Thompson Divide. The permanent withdrawal of mineral and energy development in the region should not suppress any existing grazing rights. Mr. Chair, I ask my colleagues to support this amendment, and I reserve the balance of my time.
