There’s an effort to create Dolores River National Monument in southwest Colorado and not everyone is happy about it.

This debate goes back to 2008, when a coalition started to explore options for protecting the Dolores River Canyon area, reaching a milestone in 2022 when legislation was proposed by Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper that would ultimately result in the southern portion of the Dolores River watershed being established as a national conservation area. That being said, the effort didn’t stop there, as interested parties continue to push for a larger portion of the area spanning parts of Montrose and Mesa counties to be protected via national monument status.

In a petition that’s currently been signed by more than 2,800 dissenters, a group is asking the Colorado State Legislature, the United States Department of the Interior, and Representatives of Colorado to halt that effort to add additional protections.

“This petition is born out of a deeply personal concern for the residents of Gateway, Paradox, Bedrock, Nucla, and Naturita in Colorado,” reads the petition against the national monument designation. “The proposed designation of the Dolores River as a National Monument threatens to impose severe economic hardships on our communities. We are not just bystanders; we are people whose livelihoods and way of life stand to be disrupted.”

Those behind the petition claim that the ‘threat to livelihood’ would come in the form of a potential halt to mining in the area, as well as potential limits on hunting and cattle grazing. The petition also expresses concerns of a loss of “rights as residents and stakeholders” and a potential lack of opportunity to voice opposition.

Find more information about the push behind the designation of Dolores River National Monument here and find the opposing petition here. Updates from each group can be found on their respective pages.