Op-ed: National monument designation for Dolores Canyons would benefit not only local communities and tourists but also all Coloradans.

This piece originally appeared as an op-ed in the Colorado Newsline on July 26, 2024.

By Laura Martinez, member of HECHO’s Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council and manager of environmental justice programs for Cultivando.

“I have lived most of my life next to one of the most polluted ZIP codes in the country. Living near the only oil refinery in the state means that we don’t have the opportunity to go out to our parks and enjoy nature as much as we would love to. Being able to experience Dolores River Canyon, which is only a four-hour drive, and having access to a place like this will allow our communities to not only enjoy the fresh air, clean water, and unlimited outdoor opportunities this landscape offers but also really envision something for our people to aspire to.”

Read her op-ed here.