OUTDOOR SERIES
WHAT IS THE OUTDOOR SERIES?
Each Outdoor Series event will focus on the economic, recreational and environmental impacts climate change brings to Colorado and will feature an informative panel of experts, community advocates, athletes & outdoor enthusiasts that all have their own unique outdoor mission. The events are free and open to all!
Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry is not only a source of joy and leisure, but also one of the state’s largest providers of jobs and state revenue. However, the harsh reality is that climate change, largely driven by fossil fuel operations, is directly affecting our outdoor opportunities. We’re witnessing decreased snowpack, longer drought seasons, increases of wildfires, heatwaves, and an unusual amount of Ozone Alert days. The climate crisis is not just a distant threat, but a clear and present danger to our outdoor spaces, recreational opportunities, jobs, economy, health and Colorado way of life.
NEXT Outdoor Series Event:
SUMMER 2024:
Stay Tuned: the next Outdoor Series Event is in the works and will be announced here soon!
The Outdoor Series: Protect the Dolores – will feature an informative panel of experts, community advocates & outdoor enthusiasts who all share passion for the Dolores River Canyon. The Dolores River traverses our public lands. It is an oasis for wildlife, and when flows allow, it offers some of the best boating experiences in Colorado.
The river system has shaped the landscape in extraordinary ways, from deep canyons to sandstone arches. With stunning red rock canyon walls, spectacular cultural sites, world-class recreational opportunities, and critical wildlife habitat, the Dolores River Canyon Country is one of Colorado’s last wild places—and it must be protected.
Currently, the Dolores River and its surrounding wildlands remain unprotected and threatened by development pressures, renewed mining interests, a warming climate, and poor natural resource management. Together, we hope to create a spark in communities across Colorado and inspire action to protect the Dolores River Canyon Country permanently. The events are FREE and open to all!
Join us on May 4th for the next Outdoor Series! In-person attendees will enjoy beverages for purchase from Sanitas Brewery (first beer is free!) and tacos from McDevitt Taco Supply. Please register beforehand. Be sure to submit any questions (using the registration form) for our amazing panelists during the Q&A!
- DATE: Saturday, May 4th, 2024
- EVENT TIME: 4pm – 7pm
- FOOD & DRINKS: 4pm – 5pm, Panel Discussion 5pm – 6pm
- LOCATION: Sanitas Brewery, Frontier Ave, Boulder, (map)
- BONUS: Chance to win beer, outdoor gear, Protect The Dolores merch and other surprises!
- CANT ATTEND IN PERSON?: The event will be streamed live on instagram here!
- QUESTIONS? email us here
SPRING 2024 SpEAKERS:
REBECCA GILLIS:
Rebecca Gillis is the Senior Director of Advocacy and Outreach at The Conservation Alliance. In her role, she works alongside her colleagues and TCA members to build and activate advocacy networks to promote and meet the organization’s conservation goals across the country – including permanent protection of the Dolores River Canyons Country. Formerly, Rebecca was state and local government affairs manager for Outdoor Industry Association (OIA). Gillis also worked for former Governor John Hickenlooper and Denver Mayor Michael Hancock as a lead business development manager in their economic development agencies.
Raised in Golden, Colo., she received her B.A. from Metropolitan State University of Denver and her M.A. in international relations from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies. Rebecca has a deep passion for the outdoors and is a firm believer in nature’s potential to heal human hearts, souls, and minds.
Soraya Smith:
Soraya Smith was born in and has only lived in Colorado, her entire life! Soraya is President of American Outdoor Products, a Colorado company doing business as Backpacker’s Pantry (adventure food), Astronaut Foods (the first freeze dried ice cream on the planet), and Colorado Spice. She’s passionate about preserving wild open spaces, especially in the West! She belives that accessible outdoor spaces are critical for all of our personal wellbeing as well as our planet’s sustainability and The Dolores River Canyon is one of those special places that deserves permanent preservation via monument status and well managed stewardship. She loves being outside with her dogs on the trails around Boulder, paddle boarding and hiking, or anything on the ocean.
Teal Lehto:
Teal Lehto is a water rights activist in Colorado and the founder of Western Water Girl, a social media account that educates people on water conservation in the Colorado River Basin.