Take Action Now to Finally Stop a Gravel Mine on the Colorado River! (CO)

On February 5, Rincon Materials Inc. will yet again bring their gravel pit mine proposal to Eagle County, this time to the Board of County Commissioners. The project proponents have been trying since 2016 to develop a mining operation in the Eagle River valley and while it hasn’t been successful yet, they are now bringing their proposal in front of the Eagle County Commissioners. The mine would span a whole mile alongside the Colorado River just upstream from the confluence with the Eagle River in Dotsero, Colorado, harming the viewscape, boating, and wildlife throughout the area. Use our easy action template today to tell the Board of County Commissioners to deny the Rincon Materials permit for good. Comments will be most helpful if submitted by January 31! 

The proposed mine is adjacent to Dotsero Landing, the site that, in 2011, Eagle County Open Space program stepped in and purchased to maintain Colorado River access. This was vital in distributing the heavy use on the Upper Colorado throughout the reach, and to lessen impacts and crowding at recreation sites. In total, Eagle County has invested $16 million in recreational upgrades along the Colorado River in Dotsero to support the growing economic contributions from boating, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and other types of recreation. The Rincon mine would threaten this significant investment in the river corridor and severely degrade the quality of the boating experience. 

The County Commissioners need to hear from both locals and visitors about how this project is not aligned with the values of the river corridor. Please share your comments directly with the Commissioners and if you have an extra minute, please consider adding a personal story to the letter. We’ve made it super easy for you to take action by filling out this form here! Letters need to be received by January 31! 

Photo by Susie Kincade