Editor:As the new executive director of Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory (RMBL), I feel it’s important to speak out about recent legislative efforts that jeopardize our public lands. These efforts to sell off the lands of all Americans (and enjoyed by visitors from around the world) threaten the spaces and systems necessary to RMBL’s mission: “In a rapidly changing world, RMBL sustains our quality of life by accelerating discoveries about the ecosystems that replenish the world’s air, water, and food supply.” Below is my statement to the RMBL community on this issue. I want to share it with the larger community because I view everyone who enjoys this valley as part of the community RMBL serves. Public lands are essential to who we are and what we do. For nearly 100 years, the Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory has used these lands to fuel world-class scientific research, hands-on education and breakthrough discoveries that impact both local communities and global understanding of ecological change. From the high-alpine meadows above Gothic to the riparian zones of the Gunnison Basin, our researchers, on over 3,700 research sites (60% on public lands), have produced more than 2,000 peer-reviewed publications, many of which inform international climate policy, conservation strategies and biodiversity science. RMBL is home to over a dozen research projects that have been running for 50+ years — one of the largest collections of long-term ecological datasets in the world. But our impact goes beyond science. These same landscapes support recreation, wildlife and rural economies. They provide students of all ages with transformative learning experiences and serve as a gathering place for community, education and environmental stewardship. For those of us who live, work and recreate in the Mountain West, public lands are not just places of inquiry — they are part of our identity. As national conversations unfold about the future of public lands, RMBL remains committed to protecting the places that make our work — and this way of life — possible. These landscapes enable fieldwork, inspire discovery, and connect generations of people to the natural world. Jeni BlacklockRocky Mountain Biological Laboratory
Gunnison County health care
Editor:We are deeply concerned about the quality of the health care system in Gunnison County and the system in general. While we have a strong and caring county hospital in GVH, one that supports the community in many ways, recent threats to further weaken the affordability of and access to U.S. health care is a menace to all Americans.We are devastated and feel helpless considering these threats which would involve the dismantling of our public health system, drastic cuts to our public insurers (e.g., Medicaid, Medicare, and the VA) and the experience of the greed and power of private insurers. We have dreamed of a different health care system, one that is less costly, and which provides much more value to the patient and provider, a system that is equitable and much, much better for our country and community.The Colorado legislature has passed bill SB 25-045 regarding the analysis of a reformed statewide health care payment system. This is an incredible opportunity to find out answers to questions about whether it would be feasible to conduct health care differently in Colorado. Could we have a system that would cover everyone, eliminate the ties of health insurance to employment and improve the patient-provider experience to focus on each person’s health problems and not on financial burdens or barriers to receiving healthcare?All of us yearn for connected lives that provide peace and meaning. Universal health care is such a connection. What are we if we cannot dream of a more equal and healthy life together?The new health care payment system may be financed by a variety of mechanisms, including transferring money from current Medicare, Medicaid and the VA system and by payment of premiums based on a sliding economic scale. For almost everyone, out of pocket health care expenses would be more affordable, with payment of premiums and elimination of other cost sharing (coinsurance, copays and deductibles). No one would have to forego necessary care for financial reasons. The study would be done by the Colorado School of Public Health and would be financed by donations, gifts and grants and not from the state budget. Health care is vital to the welfare of all people. When it is not available for financial reasons, economic, physical health and mental health harms ensue. Reach out to us and your legislators with stories, questions, ideas, and comments. For more information visit couniversalhealth.org.Laird Cagan, MDCrested Butte Marsha Thorson, MSPHCrested Butte
No better place
Editor:I’m seventy-six years old. This past Saturday morning, I got on my KHS bicycle and rode out CR10, up to Hwy. 135, and back into town. Averaged about 15 mph. AirPod in my right ear for my music. Left ear for traffic. Green hay fields. A few cattle. A horse or two. Took the breeze. Greeted several other riders. Enjoyed the warm sun on my back. Stopped by the Rec Center for a light workout. Stopped by the farmer’s market. Rode back home. Lunch. I reckon it’s hard to find a better place to live.Joe DixGunnison
Concerned about the proposed sale of public lands?
Editor: This message is a “heads up” that Jeff Hurd would likely vote in favor of selling public lands in the “Big Beautiful Bill.” I recently sent a message to him to express my opinion that public lands are not, and should not be, for sale and urged him to vote against the proposed land sale. As you can see from his reply below, “we don’t see eye to eye” on this issue. If you believe public lands should not be sold, I strongly urge you to contact Mr. Hurd as soon as possible. It’s hard to fathom that the representative for western Colorado wouldn’t fight for keeping public lands public."Dear Mrs. Frank, thank you for contacting me to express your concerns regarding public lands in Colorado. I appreciate the opportunity to respond.“Public lands are part of what makes Colorado, Colorado, and I take the obligation to protect them seriously. The first piece of legislation I introduced in Congress was H.R. 1125, the LOCAL Act, which permanently relocates the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) headquarters within our district in Grand Junction. I strongly believe that the people that are tasked with managing our federal lands should be located in the west, with the vast majority of our public lands. “I also believe that the commitment we make to protect our public lands does not preclude the responsible development of our abundant energy and mineral resources, grazing access and recreation. In addition, active management of our public lands can help proactively deter risks from natural disasters such as wildfires. “That is why I also introduced H.R. 1997, the Productive Public Lands Act, on March 10, 2025. This legislation requires the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to reissue nine Biden era Resource Management Plans (RMPs) which prevented access to lands in Colorado, Wyoming, Oregon and Montana. “According to the BLM's own mi”ssion which states, "Congress tasked the BLM with a mandate of managing public lands for a variety of uses such as energy development, livestock grazing, recreation, and timber harvesting while ensuring natural, cultural, and historic resources are maintained for present and future use." This legislation would hold the BLM to their own mission.“While we may not see eye-to-eye on this issue, rest assured that I will keep your thoughts in mind should related legislation concerning our public lands come to a vote on the House floor.“I would like to thank you again for taking the time to contact me. If there is anything I can do for you in the future, please do not hesitate to contact my office. You can see what I am working on in Congress on behalf of Colorado’s Third Congressional District by checking my X account (@RepJeffHurd), my YouTube channel (@RepJeffHurd03), or by subscribing to my official newsletter.”Cathy FrankCrested Butte
We have no king
Editor:It's good to see mainly the "left-wing" of our society exercising their first amendment rights by torching parts of our country while waving foreign banners on high; allegedly running a Jewish congressman off the road; being associated with at least two assassination attempts on a democratically-chosen presidential candidate (unlike Harris); overseeing a 500% increase in assaults on I.C.E. officers carrying out their federal duties; left-wing politicians attempting to break into federal facilities holding illegal aliens awaiting deportation; grandstand interruptions of federal cabinet officials during press conferences; vandalizing and destroying the property of Tesla owners and dealerships because they hate the CEO; and the disrespect shown to our Armed Forces on June 14. I could go on and on, but will semi-conclude with this: To the emotional left-wingers out there waiting for the next "protest" supposedly scheduled to coincide with screwing up our July 4th celebrations, you lost in a fair election. Thanks to divine providence and our founders of this great nation, we have no king. If we did, many of you would be gone or in the deep dark dungeon by now.May I suggest you study-up hard on what an absolute monarchy or dictatorship really is before sounding off? Some independent critical-thinking would be nice to see for once from your side of the aisle.Jon MatuszczakGunnison
Hope for the future
Editor: Random acts of kindness give me hope in these difficult times. My brother and I, both in our mid-sixties, stood in the driveway, preparing to lift a large appliance into a pick-up truck. Just as we started, a group of six or so young people came by on their bikes. One of the young men asked if we were putting the appliance in the truck. When we responded that we were, he offered to help. Two other young men from the group joined in. Those three and my brother accomplished the job in short order. These young people could easily have just biked on by. Instead, they chose to help two perfect strangers. This act of and others like it give me hope for the future. Laurie Gery Gunnison
Why everyone should oppose sale of public land
Editor:The Wilderness Society recently identified 120 million acres of public lands that are eligible for sale under the U.S. Senate's currently-proposed Budget Reconciliation Bill. To zoom in closer and better understand how this could impact our community, let’s consider one of our most popular local trailheads at Mill Creek. The Ohio Creek valley, north of Gunnison, is enveloped at higher elevations by the Gunnison National Forest. Heading up the valley you can see the iconic vistas of the Mill Creek cliffs and the Castles rock formations, yet public access to the surrounding public lands is limited to a few locations. The trailhead at Mill Creek allows year-round public access. The county keeps the road open and parking lot plowed for winter recreation and in the summer it’s a portal to the West Elk Wilderness. People may not realize that when you arrive in Mill Creek, the parking lot and bathroom are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), and only after traveling a short distance up the road do you pass the sign that welcomes you to the Gunnison National Forest. What’s most important is that it is federal land owned by all of us. Yet the BLM land in Mill Creek, which is critical to public access, grazing, ditches and wildlife habitat is a parcel of land that could meet the criteria for disposal (i.e. sale) under the recent amendment to the Budget Reconciliation Bill that has been proposed by Utah Senator Mike Lee. For the folks who love this spot and have been going there for years, the best scenario for long-term public access is for the BLM land at the entrance of Mill Creek to be absorbed into the Gunnison National Forest. This would give the U.S. Forest Service the authority to manage all the public lands in the area consistently and the BLM would not have to deal with managing the small isolated piece. Yet a potential sale of this 1,000 acres of BLM land could mean that a new landowner could change (or eliminate) our community’s public access to this important area. This problem isn’t isolated to Mill Creek. Across the Gunnison Country, changing any small sliver of land from public ownership to private ownership could change the access that we currently enjoy. Another outcome to changes in land ownership could be new disturbances including fragmentation of existing connected habitat and impacts to beloved viewsheds. We cannot assume that local communities are always going to have a voice on decisions concerning our public lands. There are multiple ongoing efforts to shrink public comment, appeal and objection opportunities through executive orders, proposed legislation and the Budget Reconciliation Act. Colorado is fortunate that Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper have been clear that they will not vote for any legislation that would sell off public lands. So, in this moment of party line votes, please encourage your friends across the country to reach out to their senators with a phone call or email to let them know that the sale of public lands is totally unacceptable. Jon HareHigh Country Conservation Advocates
Protesting is patriotic
Editor:I’m writing this in response to a letter printed in last week’s paper. Last I checked, protesting and exercising our first amendment rights is probably the most patriotic and American thing we can do. Now, a draft-dodging president using the birthday of the army and having a military parade as a veil for his own birthday celebration is right out of the Fascism for Dummies handbook. Maybe you should be looking up instead of left or right. Kim ResnickGunnison
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