January 09, 2017 12:20 PM UTC

Western Slope Seethes Over Public Lands Selloff Vote

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• by: Colorado Pols

Jason Auslander at the Aspen Times follows up on last week’s surprise vote in Congress to make the transfer of federal lands easier–an issue that caused fireworks in last year’s CD-3 race when incumbent GOP Rep. Scott Tipton insisted he would never be part of any such thing:

A move by Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives earlier this week to make it easier to transfer federal public lands to states is causing consternation in the Roaring Fork Valley.

“I think it’s corrupt,” said Pitkin County Commissioner Rachel Richards. “It’s robbery. They’re robbing the public of land forever.”

Will Roush, conservation director of the Carbondale-based Wilderness Workshop, agreed.

“(I’m feeling) disappointment, and maybe a little bit of surprise,” Roush said. “(House Natural Resources Committee Chairman) Rob Bishop and House Republicans are against public lands, but to see it happen so quickly was a surprise.” [Pols emphasis]

This issue was explored in detail in an excellent reader diary last Friday. In the case of Rep. Scott Tipton, the issue of selling off federal lands is particularly salient after his Democratic opponent Gail Schwartz tried hard to make it an issue in their campaign last year. Tipton pushed back mightily on the suggestion that he has supported selling off public lands, and the press more or less sided with him:

Tipton told the Herald that he has always supported preservation of public lands and keeping those lands public.

“She’s not telling the truth,” Tipton said of Schwartz’s accusations. “Not once have I said selling off public lands, sponsored or written legislation to sell off public lands.”

Today, Rep. Tipton’s campaign-trail assurances stand out in harsh relief:

Roush also pointed out that Tipton was attacked by his November general election opponent Gail Schwartz for being anti-public lands. Tipton forcefully pushed back against the criticism, saying he supported public lands, Roush said.

“You can’t have it both ways,” Roush said. “Either you’re an advocate for public lands or you’re not.” [Pols emphasis]

Actions, after all, speak louder than words. The issue of selling off public lands wasn’t at the forefront in every congressional race, but in Tipton’s case it was. And Tipton made statements that were belied by one of his very first votes in the new Congress.

No matter how politically safe Tipton feels right now, that’s not very advisable.