We must protect the Dolores River Canyon and ensure that it's accessible to our communities.

Besides its jaw-dropping scenery, the Dolores River Canyon Country is the most biologically and culturally rich public land in Southwestern Colorado. For Laura Martinez, a resident of Colorado’s Commerce City and HECHO Hispanic Conservation Leadership Council member, visiting the Dolores was a magical experience she will never forget. “We were able to see how biodiverse it was and the importance of continuing to preserve and make it accessible to our communities. Being able to enjoy places like these where you can really get in touch with nature at a more personal level and getting away from the distractions and social pressures is instrumental to keeping our communities alive,” says Martinez, who supports the national monument proposal to permanently protect this incredible landscape.