Browns Canyon
Back in November 2009, we wrote extensively about the proposed Browns Canyon Wilderness Area in central Chaffee County (Colorado Central, No. 189). Recently there has been some major movement on the possibility of wilderness and/or national monument designation for the area on the part of Sen. Mark Udall. Our current congresscritter, Doug Lamborn – apparently due to some lingering animosity towards his predecessor – has chosen not to pursue years of negotiations on the scenic, diverse and remote 23,000 acres of Forest Service and BLM land, but now he is getting rightly nudged aside with the proposals put forth by Udall.
The senator is proposing three map versions which include different boundaries and varying acreages for a national monument as well as the proposed adjacent Browns Canyon Wilderness. He has held several meetings in Chaffee County to gather comments on the proposals and has been met with positive comments as well as the usual complaints from the knee-jerk types; “This is a theft of the American people!” It will create a “private playground!”
I’m not sure how designating a piece of public land as wilderness or national monument can be construed as “stealing from the public for private interests,” as one of the malcontents voiced during a meeting. The irony in that argument is the fact the either designation would keep the land out of the hands of private interests – forever. It seems these folks consider it their God-given and Constitutional right to drive their OTVs any damned place they please and to hell with any of those who would deny them that right.
Personally I have hiked with my own two legs on multiple occasions through the Browns Canyon area and have yet to see any infirm, elderly or even Bubba on his ATV navigating the craggy canyons and steep ravines of the area. I’ve flown over it with members of former Rep. Joel Hefley’s staff and marveled at its lack of accessibility and ruggedness. The shopworn complaint that wilderness designation will prevent access by the weaker, older and chunkier among us just doesn’t hold water. There are miles and miles of accessible roads on public lands right here in Chaffee County for those who prefers their backcountry experience with the assistance of the internal combustion engine. Admittedly, I use one to get to Turret in order to access Browns. The difference is, I leave mine parked at the trailhead, strap on a pack and use my truly God-given ambulatory abilities to experience a noise- and pollution-free experience. One that I hope will continue for the Browns Canyon area while we still consider ourselves responsible stewards of the land. – Mike Rosso
