Speak up for the mountains in our backyard.
The La Plata Mountains have long been subject to exploratory drilling & the possibility of significant mining projects in the near future. It’s time to tell our La Plata County Commissioners to speak up for this precious area.
Colorado’s 1041 Act empowers counties to adopt local permitting authority within defined “areas”, including places with extraordinary natural, historic, and cultural values, as well as areas with natural hazard risks.
The La Platas form the headwaters of the La Plata and Mancos Rivers, which are critical for downstream communities, agriculture, and Tribes. They provide calving areas for our imperiled elk herds, biodiversity hotspots identified by the state, and abundant recreation opportunities.
These mountains are the ancestral homelands of several Tribes and Pueblos. They fall within the Brunot Agreement, reserving the Ute Tribes’ off-reservation hunting, fishing, and gathering rights. And they host Dibé Nítsáá, Hesperus Mountain, the sacred northern mountain of the Navajo people. Industrial development in the La Platas could put all these values and more at risk.
Tell the County what you value about the La Platas, and why they deserve county protection. Comments are most impactful when you are able to speak about your own experiences, memories, or personal importance regarding the La Platas. Tell them we need local involvement over any proposed development in the La Platas, regulations to protect its resources, and a formal public process so our community’s voice is heard.
Here's what YOU can do:
Email your La Plata County Commissioners & urge them to use their 1041 authority.
General email address: countyadmin@lpcgov.org
Commissioner Elizabeth Philbrick: EPhilbrick@lpcgov.org
Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton: MPor
Comissioner Matt Salka: MSalka@
We encourage you to use our talking points below! Please note “no reply necessary” in your email.
Attend Open Houses hosted by Metallic Minerals and speak up for the La Platas!
Breen Community Building (Breen, CO): Monday, November 30th from 6-8pm
Cortez Rec Center (Cortez, CO): Tuesday, December 1st from 5:30-7:30pm
Metallic Minerals Office (Durango, CO): Wednesday, December 2nd from 4-6pm
Mancos Community Center (Mancos, CO): Thursday, December 3rd from 6-8pm
Talking points:
Critical ecosystems
The mountain range holds crucial ecosystems in our region, supports elk habitat, and fosters the headwaters of the La Plata & Mancos rivers. We cannot risk dividing this ecosystem as a whole.
Recreational value
The La Plata mountains offer recreation opportunities from mountain running, to hunting and angling, to motorized recreation, contributing to our region’s economy and quality of life.
Cultural importance
The La Plata mountains hold cultural value for multiple Indigenous communities; the Southern Ute Indian Tribe opposes development in the La Platas because of the risk to the environment, cultural resources, and treaty rights. The area should not be further threatened by mining and development.
Speak about your own experiences
Why do the La Plata mountains matter to you? Make the email personable and relevant to your lived experiences regarding this area. The La Plata County Commissioners must adopt their 1041 authority in order to protect these resources – and time is running out to do so.
Questions?
Contact our Conservation Director, John Rader at john@sanjuancitizens.org.
