Please help keep Colorado rivers open to boating!

[Fish]

Got this from a friend of mine, so I'm spreading the word. This impacts both rafting and kayaking. If you love boating in Colorado, call or email that you spend your tourist dollars in their state/district, but you'll have to go elsewhere if Colorado rivers aren't open to paddlers.

Thanks,
Fish

~~~

Hey guys. I'm writing you because there is a house bill going before the Colorado Legislation on Monday that seriously affects all river rafting in Colorado. There is a developer on the Taylor river that is trying to keep people from rafting or kayaking the river where his property runs. The outfitters are bringing forth a bill to try to keep rivers in Colorado open for rafting. If this bill does not pass, rafting could be ended on all rivers in the state.

Here's how you can help: Call or email one of the legislators and let them know that you want the bill to be passed. I'm posting the important people to contact, and a sample script for calling. Please give them a call and let these guys know how important this bill is to the entire state of Colorado, as well as its tourists.



Sample Phone script (and email) to legislator/s:



HI this is ____________ . (identify your business, or that you're employed by ____ business)



I wanted to ask you to Vote Yes on House Bill 1188 the Colorado River Outfitters Viability Act.



As you may know already river rafting contributes over 140 million a year to Colorado’s tourism economy and employs many people locally. (including myself - if true)



We need your help to stay in business and keep Colorado’s Rivers open!



(Add a personal note here- about your business, why this matters, the local economy counts on you , i need a job etc.. )



(If you get a live person:) ASK how is Rep._________(name) planning on voting on this issues? (Wait for answer)



(If you get voicemail:) Leave a message - please Vote Yes on House Bill 1188 the Colorado River Outfitters Viability Act, it’s about jobs and our tourism economy. (personal note)



Thank you _________(your name & #)


LEGISLATORS TO CALL THIS WEEKEND: (phone calls into legislators is the #1 priority) [ if you have additional time send them a quick followup email ]

Rep. Bob Gardner 303-866-2191 bob.gardner.house@state.co.us,
Rep. Steve King 303-866-3068 Steve.king.house@state.co.us,
Rep. BJ Nikkel 303-866-2907 rep.nikkel@gmail.com,
Rep. Beth McCann 303-866-2959, beth.mccann.house@state.co.us,
Rep. Claire Levy 303-866-2578, claire.levy.house@state.co.us,


Learn more about the effort/ background:

At http://www.croa.org" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; under membership or

http://www.adventureoffice.com/Bill1188.aspx" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Tmuse]

Done, i called and e-mailed, everyone should tonight.

[Tmuse]

well did you folks call and or e-mail the reps in colorado on this house bill 1188? ya'll better

[Fish]

Took me 5 min this weekend to send emails to all the representatives. Just say you don't live in CO, but you spend money there boating (or want to) and you're worried that boaters will lose access to whitewater there. It doesn't take long, and every email or phone call can help.

- Fish

[Tmuse]

Fish you are correct, took me like 5 mins. also, its so simple.

[panicman]

I have been following this a bit and the bill if passed gets a foot in the door for everyone but it is just written with commercial outfitters having the right to float through private property not private boaters.

[DaveIrvin]

It took me 6 minutes
But, I type slow.
I let them know that the southeastern whitewater is about the same distance for us.

[ARzach]

I have been following this a bit and the bill if passed gets a foot in the door for everyone but it is just written with commercial outfitters having the right to float through private property not private boaters.

I've been following this whole thing for a week (my ex-boss is the chairman of CROA) and I have seen many such replies worried about private boater's rights etc. I'm assuming you aren't saying this, but many people on other boards seem to have a "what are you going to do for me" attitude towards the outfitters. Personally, I think if you allow a rich TX schmuck to cut off access to one river (ie. the Taylor, which has prompted this bill), many more will follow. So although this bill may not necessarily HELP private boaters if passed, it most certainly will HURT all river users if it gets kicked.

In essence, if this thing doesn't make it through, it will lend fire-power to MANY landowners that have been less than happy about private boaters and fisherman for years. I know I certainly want to be able to paddle sections surrounded by private lands like Bailey Canyon, Cheeseman, the Taylor River, ALL sections of the Arkansas, and the list goes on and on. I also want my children (God forbid I reproduce) to be able to paddle these rivers as well. By saying no to HB-1188 the state would basically be telling property owners they have the right to shut down access to "their section" of OUR rivers... I heard someone liken it to a landowner shutting down his 10 mile section of I-70...

I apologize for the rant, however it sticks in my craw when I read people on other boards saying they will send their response AGAINST this Bill because it won't benefit them directly (or so they think). They fail to realize that Commercial Boaters and Fisherman are primarily in this business because they were, and are, PRIVATE Boaters and Fisherman themselves. Most of these guys are not simply in it for the money, most are in it because they want to be closer to the rivers they love.

Ranting-Zach Out...

[okieboater]

good point!

let a camel get their nose in the tent, before you know it the entire camel will be sharing your tent.

I had never had the fun of running the taylor, last year tho TJ Hittle took me over for a float.

It is pretty high up in altitude for us asthma types, and the water is freezing cold even in summer

BUT

this little creek is a class 3 creek runners favorite. Not sure of the length but immediately after the put in the turns started and just did not stop. One after another with not much space in between. We were all hooting and hollering like kids with an all day candy bar. Finally, TJ found a little eddy with lots of sun coming in and we stopped so our frozen hands could thaw a bit. We all had on layers but had neglected to bring pogeys or gloves and man that water be cold. after a short warm up, we hit the last few sections which mellowed out a bit.

The Taylor is a jewel little run and anything we can do to even remotely help prevent any section from becoming off limits to private boaters is worth while.

[panicman]

Hmmm, did I say I was against it. Don't think so. So take a chill pill.

Also, looks like it past the 1st hurdle.

[Fish]

Panicman vs. ARZach. I'd buy a ticket to that one!

- Fish

[panicman]

Watch out I have been working out a lot on these

[okieboater]

Lets all go do the fun run on the Taylor
and
set around a campfire and drink Colorado Beer!!!!!!

[ARzach]

Hmmm, did I say I was against it. Don't think so. So take a chill pill.

Also, looks like it past the 1st hurdle.

Haha, I know. That's why I prefaced my statement with "I'm assuming you're not saying this but..." I wasn't so much directing that rant AT you, just in a general direction. I've read/spoken with many folks (private boaters) who were automatically sending opposing correspondence regarding HB10-1188 on the premise that it will automatically hurt private boater's rights, many of whom hadn't even READ the friggin' thing which was laughable to me. Again, that is not aimed at anyone on this site, it is simply an observation gleaned from some of my community of friends in CO....

Although I see some potential for the implicit strippage of rights argument, I think it pretty plainly states that the intent is not to infringe on the general public's right to access. Essentially as it stands it appears the legislators are trying to specify commercial boater's rights, while leaving the rest up to the courts. Which is exactly where things are right now regarding private access anyway so I don't think it's a detriment, yet still not a real positive either.

My feeling is that this is but one wrung on the very very long ladder that must be climbed for both private and commercial boating interests in general. Ultimately Colorado's access laws are in desperate need of overhaul, and ANY small step towards laws that support boater access will benefit us all eventually. Although it is obvious this particular bill is currently focused on the commercial interest. I will be very interested to see how it develops as it moves into the later stages of approval/amendment.

Panic - I'm usually over-full of chill pills, no need to worry about my blood-pressure



--Zach

P.S. Fish, is that spoon terribly sticky from stirring the pot?

[panicman]