The Greenland Ranch is one of Colorado’s true natural splendors. A 21,000-acre parcel of pen space along I-25 between Denver and Colorado Springs, it includes the sloping hills and gentle prairies that are such a special part of our outdoor way of life. Last year, after a coordinated effort by state agencies, conservation groups and local governments, we were able to preserve this natural treasure for future generations.

The preservation of Greenland Ranch was a landmark conservation accomplishment but we can — and we must — continue to do more. Colorado has such a distinctive geography that it draws people from all over the world to ski in our mountains, fish in our rivers and hike our trails. While this increased population growth has brought us many benefits, such as a stronger and more diversified economy, it also calls us to be good stewards of the natural landscapes that help make our quality of life possible.

That’s why I am supporting Referendum A on November’s ballot, which will help Great Outdoors Colorado (GOCO) protect more open spaces, farms and ranches. GOCO is the state conservation agency created by voters in 1992, and Referendum A will give GOCO the authority to bond against the lottery dollars it receives. The proceeds from these bonds will be used to assist local governments, state agencies and conservation organizations with land preservation purchases that protect Colorado’s wildlife, park, trail and open space heritage.

GOCO was an important partner in the Greenland Ranch preservation, but if a similar opportunity became available today, GOCO would not be able to provide significant assistance. Referendum A helps to address this issue by giving GOCO the authority to leverage its future revenues to protect open space today. Much like a family that takes out a mortgage in order to purchase a home, GOCO will have the ability to make financial decisions that make sense for Colorado’s environment.

Land prices remain high in many areas of the state, and the price of open space is often the greatest in the very places that need to be preserved the most. In many instances, critical parcels of open space go unprotected because of the inability of local governments and conservation groups to raise enough capital in a short period of time. Referendum A will accomplish all of this without all of this without raising taxes or requiring more state revenue. The bonds will be repaid using GOCO’s portion of the lottery proceeds.

One way we can address the impacts of growth in Colorado is by preserving our natural landscapes. We want to ensure that our quality of life remains available for future generations to enjoy, and Referendum A is an important part of protecting those phases that make Colorado such a special place to live.