By Sean M Pond | Guest Commentary, Rocky Mountain Voice
In recent proceedings, Mesa County Commissioner Cody Davis made a bold claim before Colorado’s County Commissioners, asserting that there is unified support for a proposed National Conservation Area (NCA) along the Dolores River.
However, this statement fundamentally misrepresents the complex reality facing local communities and stakeholders.
The communities of Gateway, Nucla, Naturita, Bedrock, Paradox and surrounding areas stand in stark opposition to the proposed NCA. Their voices — the voices of those who live, work and deeply understand the local landscape — have been conspicuously absent from the decision-making process.
Critical questions demand answers: How can commissioners claim widespread support when they have systematically avoided engaging with the very communities most directly impacted? The working group behind this proposal appears to have deliberately distanced itself from local residents who oppose the NCA, seemingly prioritizing predetermined outcomes over genuine community dialogue.
Transparency in local governance is not optional — it is essential. Commissioners Cody Davis and Sue Hansen have a fundamental responsibility to represent their constituents, not to negotiate behind closed doors with external interest groups. Their current approach undermines the democratic principles of local representation and community input.
The proposed NCA is not merely a line on a map. It represents potential fundamental changes to land use, economic opportunities and the way of life for rural communities. Any such significant proposal must be developed through open, inclusive and genuine community engagement — not through selective narratives that ignore local perspectives.
We call on Commissioner Davis and Commissioner Hansen to:
* Immediately halt negotiations until comprehensive public meetings are conducted.
* Provide transparent documentation of all discussions and stakeholder interactions.
* Ensure that local residents have a meaningful voice in any conservation planning.
* Cease making unsubstantiated claims about community support.
Rural communities deserve honest representation. They deserve commissioners who listen, who engage and who prioritize local knowledge and community well-being over external agendas.
The story of our land is written by those who live and work on it. It cannot — and should not — be dictated by those who view it from a distance.
Editor’s note: Opinions expressed in commentary pieces are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the management of the Rocky Mountain Voice, but even so we support the constitutional right of the author to express those opinions.