As all of us here in southwest Colorado know, water is one of our most precious and - at times - scarce resources. As the owner of Mountain Roots Produce in the Mancos Valley, I am acutely aware of the importance of protecting our rivers and the water that runs through them, and a big part of that means safeguarding public lands like the La Platas that serve as headwaters for local tributaries.

The current push from out-of-state fringe groups to seize our national public lands and put them under state management is a huge threat to our water, both agricultural and domestic, and the financial burden would likely lead to increased industrial development across Colorado, including in the San Juans. Nothing could be worse for farmers like me than to see private interests take over our public lands, potentially dirtying and diverting water that supports my livelihood, our growing local-food based food economy, and our unique way of life here in the Four Corners. Our state is already strapped for cash, and because of that, only 20% of state trust lands are open to the public.

We can't let our national public lands - ones we depend on for water quality and access, as well as for mountain biking, hiking, and hunting - go the same way. I join the 70 percent of voters in Colorado who want to see our public lands stay public - my farm and livelihood depends on it. I urge our elected officials, like Sen. Ellen Roberts and Gov. Hickenlooper, to show leadership on this issue by opposing any effort to transfer or close our public lands.

Michael Nolan

Mancos