Preservation

Environment Colorado is working to bring together a broad-base of support to Protect Colorado's National Forests. By adding your small business or organization to our list of endorsers, we can show Governor Owens and the Roadless Area Task Force that Coloradans from all walks of life want to keep our last wild forests protected.

This summer, Governor Owens and the Colorado legislative leadership are expected to announce their appointments to the Roadless Areas Review Task Force, an advisory group which will help determine the future of Colorado's last wild forests.

I need your help to show that businesses and organizations throughout Colorado support the protection of our national forests. If you own a business or are affiliated with a civic organization, I'd like your group to endorse the campaign.

If you own a small business or run an organization
in Colorado, please take a moment to sign your business or organization on
to our list of supporters who want to Protect Colorado's National Forests. 
Business/Organization address: 

Business/Organization city, state, zip: 

Business/Organization phone: 

I believe that Colorado's roadless areas should remain protected for future generations. 
Please add my business/organization to the list of supporters to Protect Colorado's 
National Forests.

Bush's Plan Removes Federal Protections
The Bush Administration recently undermined Colorado's protected forests by eliminating federal protections on 4.4 million acres of roadless areas within our national forests. Because of this, 30 percent of Colorado's national forests are currently being considered for logging and other development.

If these areas are not protected, pristine roadless areas, including parts of the White River, Roosevelt, Arapahoe, Rio Grande, and San Juan National Forests, could be opened to development in the next year.

Timber Companies are Lining Up their Bulldozers to Take What's Left
Logging, mining, road building and other activities have already despoiled more than half of our national forests. Less than five percent of our old-growth trees remain standing. Timber and mining companies are lining up their bulldozers to take what's left.

Powerful interests, including timber, coal and drilling companies, are working behind the scenes to gain access to our pristine wilderness areas. The fate of Colorado's roadless areas is in the hands of Gov. Owens.

Now Its Up to Governor Owens to Protect Our Forests
If we act now, we can stop development in Colorado's roadless areas. Colorado's national forests provide scenic vistas and recreation areas, are home to hundreds of native species, and provide us with pure drinking water- in short, they make Colorado the beautiful state that it is.

Colorado's roadless areas also provide important wildlife habitat for elk, trout, lynx, and wolverines. The Cherokee Park roadless area, which is part of the Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest, includes grassy meadows and ponds that serve as elk calving grounds.

Opening this area to road-building and development would compromise this crucial elk habitat. Because roadless areas lack road disturbances, these areas support healthier populations of native and desired plant and animal species.