Gunnison sage grouse do their ritual dance during mating season in this April 11, 2007, file photo. (Helen H. Richardson, Denver Post file)
As a local resident and business owner in greater sage grouse country, I strongly encourage Gov. John Hickenlooper and our U.S. senators to stand up for Colorado businesses and support strong plans for sage grouse conservation. Sagebrush habitat, where sage grouse live, supports about $77 million in economic output just in Colorado, and we depend on those dollars for our thriving local economy.
We are encouraged by a decision not to list the bi-state (California and Nevada) greater sage grouse population, as it carries the message that collaborative and strong on-the-ground conservation efforts can ensure that through similar efforts here in Colorado we can continue to manage sage grouse at the state level and avoid the need for federal intervention.
Itap up to Hickenlooper to ensure that Colorado’s plan can pass muster and keep the management of the sage grouse in Colorado’s hands.
Peter Van De Carr, Steamboat Springs
The writer is president of Backdoor Sports Ltd.
This letter was published in the June 15 edition.
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