A U.S. Senate amendment buried in the latest budget bill threatens to sell off public lands—including in Garfield and Rio Blanco Counties — under the guise of affordable housing and energy development.

See what’s at risk on this map wilderness.maps.arcgis.com.

Let’s be honest: this isn’t about helping working families. These are remote, rugged, infrastructure-free lands—the places we camp, hunt, hike, and raise our kids. They are our backyard.

Now they’re up for sale, without studies or proof that energy production is even viable. If this is about energy, where’s the data? We’ve seen this before—Exxon’s Black Sunday in 1982 left our region in ruins when oil-shale dreams collapsed. The land stayed, the jobs didn’t.

And who’s footing the bill to develop these parcels? Hauling in roads, water, power, and fire protection won’t be cheap—and it won’t be the out-of-state buyers paying.

Once sold, these lands are gone. Access is closed and “No trespassing” signs go up. The character of the Western Slope changes forever.

I support housing and energy independence—but not like this. Our public lands should stay public—for all of us, not just the highest bidder. This land is my land, this land is your land. Let’s make sure our elected officials hear that loud and clear.