Conservation of our natural resources should be one of our most important responsibilities, especially in Colorado with our ecological diversity. During my 12 years in Congress, I have particularly focused on preservation of our remaining wild areas. I grew up hiking and camping in Colorado’s backcountry and know firsthand what the beautiful landscape has to offer. I want my grandkids to experience the same opportunities that I have enjoyed.
I have introduced legislation, the Colorado Wilderness Act, to protect 62 separate areas in Colorado as wilderness. We typically think of federally-designated wilderness as breathtaking, snowcapped peaks. However, I believe we must build upon these areas by extending protection to more ecologically sensitive areas like Colorado’s canyon country. I urge you, your friends, and neighbors to help in this effort by contacting your elected officials to let them know that we must protect these cherished places.
Conserving our wild lands goes hand-in-hand with other forward-looking policies that will help our environment and grow our economy. We must restore some semblance of balance to our national energy strategy. I hope the days of extracting and burning fossil fuels without regard for the heat-trapping gases we spew into our atmosphere are over. As Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce, I am also working on legislation with my colleagues in Congress to set emissions reduction targets and finally bring the United States to the negotiating table with the rest of the global community.
By developing smarter energy and environmental policies like reducing global warming pollution and preserving wilderness, the United States can be on the path towards cleaner, sustainable energy while preserving our lands and ecosystems at the same time.
U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) is the Vice Chair of the Committee on Energy and Commerce and a Member of the Natural Resources Committee.
Orignially posted May 4, 2009
