High Country Report (Winter 2024-2025)
Missed HCCA’s latest newsletter in your inbox? No worries! View our Winter 24-25 report here, packed with all things HCCA. Inside, you'll find a special centerfold featuring photos from the Red Lady Celebration weekend, two insightful recaps by Advocacy Director Jon Hare, a heartfelt testimony from a dedicated local advocate, and much more!
Let’s Take Care of Public Lands — the Gunnison Country’s most valued asset
Concerns about the future of federal agencies managing public lands in the Gunnison Country have been growing, and the situation has become critical. The new administration’s efforts to reduce these agencies threaten the management of lands vital to the local economy and ecological importance. At High Country Conservation Advocates, we are committed to raising the value of these lands and the people who protect them.
Mass Federal Firings Threaten Our Public Lands
The firings at agencies like the U.S. Forest Service, Department of the Interior, and National Park Service jeopardize the health, safety, and accessibility of our public lands.
Support HCCA as we work to protect the health, integrity, and beauty of the public lands, waters, and wildlife locally here in the Gunnison Country.
Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable
Our congratulations to Jon Hare, our Advocacy Director, who was recently elected to the Environmental at Large position on the Gunnison River Basin Roundtable. Jon’s leadership and participation in this influential group further elevate our conservation efforts, especially around water use and watershed health in the Gunnison Country.
HCCA on Colorado Public Radio!
Still feeling the Red Lady love? Tune in to Colorado Public Radio to celebrate the success of Red Lady once again!
Post-Election Conservation Message - Jon Hare, Advocacy Director
Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director, shares a post-election message - It’s now more important than ever to support HCCA to help protect why you love it here.
Visit hccacb.org/donate-online to join us in making a difference. Together, we can ensure that the lands, waters, and wildlife of Colorado's Gunnison River Country remain protected for years to come.
GORP Act Introduced into Congress by Sen. Michael Bennet
On Thursday, September 26, 2024, U.S. Senator Michael Bennet introduced the Gunnison Outdoor Recreation Protection (GORP) Act into the U.S. Congress. This is the largest public lands bill since the early 1900s, and when enacted will protect over 730,000 acres of public lands in Western Colorado.
RED LADY IS SAVED FROM AN INDUSTRIAL MINE!
The FINAL piece to the Red Lady package is complete! With the signing of the Mineral Extinguishment and Conservation Easements our beloved mountain that embraces the town is officially protected. “This is one of the greatest outcomes of the conservation legacy in our nation’s history. . ." - Jon Hare, HCCA Advocacy Director
GMUG NF Forest Supervisor Signs Decision Memo for Mt. Emmons Land Exchange
We are one step closer to our beloved town mountain being moly-mine forever free. On July 8 2024, the GMUG National Forest Supervisor Signs the Decision Memo for Mt. Emmons (Red Lady) Land Exchange!
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland Visits Crested Butte to Celebrate the Mt. Emmons Mineral Withdrawal
The celebration of the Administrative Mineral Withdrawal on the Thompson Divide and Mt. Emmons continues. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland visited Crested Butte on June 30th to celebrate with the community on this success for public lands and conservation. View HCCA’s full press release.
High Country Report (Summer 2024 Newsletter)
Missed HCCA’s Summer 2024 Newsletter in your mailbox? Look no further, view the full newsletter here!
Reflecting on the 47 year fight to Save Red Lady
As the fight to Save Red Lady nears the finish line, Sue Navy, HCCA’s Board President, reflects on this 47 year fight.
Visit Red Lady Testimonies to read more stories from past Red Ladies!
Advocacy Director, Jon Hare, dives into the Red Lady package and its protections for public lands.
This is definitely a great reason for all of us who love public lands to celebrate, yet at High Country Conservation Advocates (HCCA) we are focused on the next project in the Gunnison basin that is several years in formulation and moving toward completion in 2024. Right now, at our doorstep, the Mt. Emmons Land Exchange is the best chance this community has ever had to save the mountain known as Red Lady and the best opportunity to protect Gunnison Country from the impacts of a large-scale industrial mining operation.
The Town of Mt. Crested Butte Passes New Landscaping Code Ordinance
On March 19th the Town of Mt. Crested Butte voted to pass an outdoor landscaping code ordinance that will help their community grow with less water. The new code encourages keeping mountain meadows intact, reducing the amount of irrigated turf, and plants that use less water and are drought tolerant. HCCA has worked on drafting this code with the Town and SJC Landscape Architects for several years to get it just right. Way to go, Mt. CB!
The Mt. Emmons and Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal is approved - Protecting Over 221,000 Acres from Hardrock Mining and Oil and Gas Leasing
April 3, 2024 - Today, Secretary of Interior Deb Haaland took action to protect the Mt. Emmons and Thompson Divide area from new mining claims and oil and gas leasing. President Biden first announced the intent to protect this area at the designation of the Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument in October of 2022.
Update on Red Lady and Thompson Divide
As the fight to protect the Red Lady continues, Colorado U.S. Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper provided tremendous support as they urge the department to move quickly to initate protections.
Centennial WMA Volunteer Project Recap
Sixteen volunteers and 84 hours later, our work prevented further erosion and restored wildlife habitat at Centennial State Wildlife Area, just west of Gunnison.
Volunteer Opportunity! Wet Meadow Restoration at Centennial State Wildlife Area
(Saturday, October 21) HCCA is partnering with Colorado Parks & Wildlife (CPW) and the Upper Gunnison River Water Conservancy District (UGRWCD) to protect and restore critical wet meadow habitat.
CB News Publishes HCCA Volunteer Restoration Event Recap
HCCA helps coordinate a successful volunteer project focusing on restoring a riparian system in Powderhorn.
Volunteer Opportunity! Powderhorn Riparian Restoration Project
Get your hands dirty, and help restore a degrading and incising system along the confluence of Cebolla and Powderhorn Creeks. No experience is necessary, and training is provided.