An attack on freedom
Dear Editor:
As an avid mountain biker, rock climber, caver, hunter, 4-wheel drive enthusiast, mountain dweller, dog owner and fourth-generation Colorado native, I find the Hidden Gems proposal totally unacceptable.
I live in an area surrounded by wilderness, and spend much of my free time on the trails that wind through it. Horses can cause much more damage than mountain bikes. As an example, if you take a hike up North Lost Trail Creek, the trail has turned to basically a ditch full of manure. Horses also spread invasive weeds.
Many places in the Hidden Gems proposal include historic roads that provide access to real wilderness opportunities as well as being recreational themselves. Some examples are the Flattops, Huntsman’s Ridge, Schofield Pass, Taylor Pass, Pearl Pass, Basalt Mountain – just to name a few of the more popular ones.
I know of several local community organizations that have tried to get a representative for the Wilderness Workshop regarding this outlandish proposal. Yet to date they have not even received a phone call! Make no mistake, the Hidden Gems proposal is an attack on our freedom and the freedom of future generations!
I have included information here that the Wilderness Workshop and Hidden Gems people don’t care to provide – the names and business phone numbers of your representatives and senators. Please take the time to call them, all of them, and remind them that they are elected and can be replaced. Voice your opposition to this proposal, or risk being locked out of the places you love!
Sen. Michael F. Bennet: 202-224-5852
Sen. Mark Udall: 202-224-5941
Rep. Diana DeGette: 303-225-4431
Rep. Doug Lamborn: 303-225-4422
Rep. Betsy Markey: 303-225-4676
Rep. Ed Perlmutter: 303-225-2645
Rep. Jared Polis: 303-225-2161
Rep. John Salazar: 303-225-4761
Rep. Mike Coffman: 303-225-7882
No to Hidden Gems. We have enough Wilderness!
Mike Yellico
Marble
Support Local Journalism
Support Local Journalism
Readers around Aspen and Snowmass Village make the Aspen Times’ work possible. Your financial contribution supports our efforts to deliver quality, locally relevant journalism.
Now more than ever, your support is critical to help us keep our community informed about the evolving coronavirus pandemic and the impact it is having locally. Every contribution, however large or small, will make a difference.
Each donation will be used exclusively for the development and creation of increased news coverage.
Start a dialogue, stay on topic and be civil.
If you don't follow the rules, your comment may be deleted.
User Legend: 
Moderator 
Trusted User
Colorado health officials weigh in on navigating safe ski season this winter
The 2020-21 ski season is going to look substantially different from previous ones. The Colorado Department of Public Health has released its final guidance on coronavirus protocols for resorts and guests to follow.
