📝 Petition to Protect Public Lands in Mesa County

Mesa County is home to over 1.5 million acres of public land — landscapes we depend on for hunting, fishing, ranching, recreation, and tourism, as well as clean air, water, and natural heritage. These lands are part of who we are, and how we live — and they must be protected.

We, the undersigned, call on the Mesa County Board of Commissioners to adopt a formal resolution affirming that:

✅ Public lands must remain in public hands. These lands should not be sold off to private developers, energy interests, or transferred to state control where access can be restricted and long-term protection uncertain.
✅ Local voices must be heard. Grazing rights, oil and gas leasing, water access, hunting permits, recreation management, and conservation plans all directly impact Mesa County residents — and we deserve meaningful input on federal decisions.
✅ Public lands are essential to our economy. From ranchers and guides to outfitters and tourism jobs, these lands support real livelihoods in Mesa County.
✅ Generations depend on these lands. They are part of our rural identity — a legacy we pass on to our kids, grandkids, and future stewards.

Why this matters now:
A proposal currently awaiting action in the U.S. Senate would mandate the sale of 2.2 to 3.3 million acres of public land across the West — a small percentage on paper, but a dangerous precedent in practice. Over 250 million acres of BLM land are eligible for nomination under this model, including land in Colorado.

While this bill promises the land will go toward housing or infrastructure, there are no guarantees of affordability, accessibility, or long-term public benefit. Once land is sold, it is gone — often forever. Public access, hunting grounds, grazing rights, and open space are replaced by private fences, development, or speculation.

Even if decisions are made at the federal level, local leadership still matters. Commissioners can pass resolutions that send a clear message: Mesa County values its public lands and will not stand by quietly while they’re carved up behind closed doors.

📣 We ask the Mesa County Board of Commissioners to:

Pass a resolution in support of public lands remaining in public hands
Oppose the sale or transfer of federally managed public lands
Advocate for transparent, community-inclusive decision-making in all federal land actions impacting Mesa County

📍 What’s next:
This petition will be delivered to the full Mesa County Board of Commissioners with a formal request to place this issue on a public meeting agenda. We are asking our local leaders to publicly oppose the sale of our public lands and take a clear stand to keep them in public hands — for today, and for future generations.

🛑 Let’s act before it’s too late.
If we don’t raise our voices now, we risk losing the open spaces, water sources, and land-based livelihoods that define this place. Let’s make sure Mesa County takes a stand — for its land, its people, and its future.