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Resident voices concerns about Dolores River National Conservation Area bill at Montezuma County meeting
Summary
During public comment at the July 1 Montezuma County BOCC meeting a resident urged the county to study the proposed Dolores River National Conservation Area Senate bill, expressed worry about control of a future NCA council, and raised water-rights and special-interest concerns.
An unidentified resident used the public-comment period at the Montezuma County Board of County Commissioners meeting on July 1, 2025, to urge commissioners to examine a Senate bill proposing the Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management designation and to continue local conversations before the legislation advances.
The resident said they had reread the bill and described it as "full of ambiguity," asking who would control a proposed NCA council and expressing concern that national environmental groups might dominate such a council. The commenter said, "I don't think that's gone away. The Federal Reserve Water Right is something that's still a part of it, and I'm more concerned about that than anything else." The speaker also referenced a State House representative, saying Larry Donsukla called the legislation "nothing more than a legislative ambush." The comment concluded with a call for more public outreach and discussion.
The remarks were given as a single public-comment submission; the board did not take immediate action on the topic during the meeting. No county staff response or formal direction to take specific steps regarding the Dolores River proposal was recorded in the meeting transcript.
Why it matters: A National Conservation Area designation and any associated management council could affect public-land management, recreation access and local inputs on land-use and water-rights policies. The commenter raised water-rights concerns and potential influence by national conservation organizations, issues that residents or elected officials may choose to pursue through formal comment to state or federal channels.
The board proceeded to other agenda items following public comment; the transcript does not show any additional statements from commissioners on the Dolores River matter during the session.
