In these tough economic times we need to begin to think creatively about how to draw more business to our area and keep it here. Most of the tourists I’ve met over the years came here to experience our spectacular natural landscape, and once they saw it they keep coming back. One way to give Fremont county more national attention is to designate a few Wilderness areas.
Today elected officials are coming together to hear from the public on the Colorado Wilderness Act, which includes four areas in Fremont County (Beaver Creek, Badger Creek, Grape Creek, and McIntyre Hills). By finally designating these areas we can help draw people from across the state to come recreate in our backcountry. And relax in our towns.
When tourists take the Royal Gorge Route Railway or raft down the Arkansas River or drive along Highway 50, they get to see some of the stunning scenery this region has to offer. This stunning scenery is important to our economic vitality. The more we can encourage those people that the scenery they see is worth going out and hiking around in the better. Wilderness areas will encourage more hunters, anglers, hikers, and skiers to linger in the region for a while and experience all that it has to offer.
The lands in the proposal are federal public lands (no private property) and are currently managed consistent with wilderness by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service, So there will be no changes in management or uses. If we make these areas full fledged wilderness they will become part of the prestigious National Wilderness Preservation system and command some attention from would be visitors. Add in more attractions to Fremont County along with the attractions we already have.
This solution requires no money spent on advertising, no exploiting our natural resources for short term gain, and will provide a sustainable boost to our tourism economy. With our local government constantly having to make tough decisions on how to balance our budget, and what programs to cut, we shouldn’t pass up any opportunity to bring in a little extra income.
As a teacher I can’t help but think about future generations. One of the things I like most about wilderness designation is that it protects the places that make this region so special, for now and for a good long time to come.
