Journal Staff Report

Public comment is being sought concerning a plan that would protect 10,500 acres from development along the Red Mountain Mining District in the San Juan Mountains between Silverton and Ouray.

A meeting sponsored by the Western Colorado Congress will be held at the Ouray Community Center, 320 Sixth Avenue, today between 1:30 and 5 p.m.

The preservation initiative seeks congressional approval to use Land and Water Conservation Fund monies to buy out the pristine land, worth $7.5 million. Private landowners and mining companies have expressed interest in selling the land to the Forest Service once funding is secured from the $450 million federal fund, which is generated by revenues from offshore oil-drilling.

"This area is so important scenically, historically, and for recreation purposes," said Ann Hoffman, chairperson of the Red Mountain Project Committee.

"If it is in the public domain, it will remain available to the public. If it is sold and becomes trophy homes, lodges and condos, it will not be something that will be multi-use any more."

The area lies along Red Mountain Pass bordering the "Million Dollar" Highway, U.S. Highway 550. The Idarado Mining Company owns the largest portion of it, while numerous other private parties have tracts. Historical mining buildings and cabins from the heyday of the mining boom a century ago still dot the area.

"As you’re going south toward Silverton out of Ouray, you can view it from ridgeline to ridgeline," Hoffman said, adding that the property is used for hiking, skiing, birding and snowshoeing, but many users have no idea it is really private land.