"The heart and soul of Colorado flows through its rivers. We cannot let the murky, outdated legal opinions of yesterday choke that spirit. Clarifying the law is not a radical concept; it's basic common sense. We respect property rights, but we refuse to let them derail the opportunity that Colorado has in mirroring the stream access laws of nearly every other western state. It's time to join the 21st. century. The right to float is not a mere economic consideration; it's a testament to our freedom and culture. Let future generations know we choose courage over complacency."

"Colorado’s rivers and streams are among our greatest public treasures—meant to be shared, experienced, and protected by all. Yet the state’s failure to affirm the public’s right to float, swim, and fish threatens not only recreational access but also public safety. As conflicts between landowners and the public grow, the risk of harm becomes inevitable. The Colorado Stream Access Coalition and our partners are committed to securing a solution that upholds both public access and property rights, ensuring future generations can safely enjoy these waters without fear of harassment or violence."

"As the public learns more about this, people are going to want to see the law changed and clarified. How we do that is clear and straightforward. The legislature or governor understands the importance of our recreation economy and recreational lifestyle. So I call on the legislature and governor to act in considering the facts and options on the table. Get to resolving the issue of protecting private property rights, and protecting public stream access in Colorado. There are examples all over the rocky mountain west of how to make this work. It's that straight forward."

"Colorado’s streams are a vital part of our heritage, supporting recreation, agriculture, and local economies. We can respect private property rights while ensuring responsible public access to these waters—just as our forefathers did when they fished, hunted, and built communities along them. A balanced approach protects landowners while preserving our Western way of life and the freedoms that make Colorado special."

Since moving out West many years ago, I have had the great privilege of rafting and kayaking on many Western rivers, and I have been grateful for the broad access rights guaranteed by most Western states. But as a law professor who has taught water resources law for several decades, I have also come to know that Colorado is far out of step with the rest of the country, and especially our Western neighbors when it comes to public access to our rivers and streams. Pushed by my students over many years, and by my own sense of the injustice of Colorado’s stream access rules, I have devoted many hours to changing those rules. The Colorado Stream Access Coalition offers the people of Colorado an important new platform to advocate for public access to Colorado’s waterways. I am thrilled to be working with the Coalition to secure broad public access rights, and I won’t rest until we prevail."