Senator Mark Udall Hart Office Building Suite SH-328 Washington, D.C.

20510 September 17 ,2011

Senator Michael Bennet 458 Russell Senate Office Bldg Washington, D.C. 20510

Representative Scott Tipton 218 Cannon HOB Washington, DC 20510

The Honorable Mr. Udall, The Honorable Mr. Bennet and the Honorable Mr. Tipton: As business owners who live and work in Colorados 3rd Congressional District, we urge that you support Wilderness designations for the lands in the Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal. Together, we are representative of the wide range of businesses that benefit from Western Colorados wild landscapes and support the designation of more Wilderness areas here. As business owners, we recognize the value of protecting the public lands that surround our communities. Rural mountain communities like ours continue to thrive because of our proximity to protected wilderness, which draws people to move here or visit in ever greater numbers. Our protected landscapes help fuel jobs in our region, and the benefits that flow from these lands, either directly or indirectly, are now among the dominant economic drivers in many areas like Pitkin, Garfield and Gunnison Counties. Wilderness ensures healthy big game herds for our hunting industry and unparalleled vistas for our skiing industry, attracts cross country skiers and hikers in winter and summer, and keeps our gold medal trout streams at the top of anglers minds, attracting visitors from all over the nation and world. Wilderness is the best protection of our headwaters, wildlife habitats and scenic vistas. It preserves Western Colorados unique assets. Wilderness conserves our natural capital, keeping Western Colorado a place where people want to live, businesses want to grow, and everyone wants to vacation. Designating the Hidden Gems lands as Wilderness will not only maintain Colorados scenic and natural treasures, but also will help strengthen our economies, provide jobs that keep and bring people in to our communities, and help promote prosperity in our region. We urge that you work together as our representatives in Congress and support Wilderness legislation for these important landscapes. Sincerely, Auden Schendler Aspen Skiing Company Aspen, CO Bill Stirling Stirling Homes Inc. Aspen, CO

Steve Novy Green Line Architecture Carbondale, CO Randy and PJ Melton Avalanche Outfitters Redstone, CO John McBride Aspen Business Center Aspen, CO Don Edmonds Bristlecone Mountain Sports Basalt, CO Jeff Dahl Carbondale Beer Works Carbondale, CO Charles Wirth Defiance Auto Sales Glenwood Springs, CO
James Ingram Aspen Whitewater Rafting Aspen, CO Marianne Ackerman Ackerman Log and Timber Carbondale, CO

Jeff Dysart Roaring Fork Anglers Glenwood Springs, CO Ken Robinson Roaring Fork Liqours Glenwood Springs, CO Jack Gausnell Roaring Fork Realty Carbondale, CO LeeAnn Dodde Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory Aspen, CO Jeff Dysart Alpine Angling and Adventure Travel Carbondale, CO Robert Morris Ambiance Inn Bed and Breakfast Carbondale, CO Anne Grace Anne Grace Interiors Basalt, CO Ariane Zurcher Ariane Zurcher Designs Aspen, CO Tim Shortell Aspen Alpine Guides Aspen, CO Anne Wilkinson Smith Aspen Candy Company Aspen, CO Carni E. Horn Aspen Eclectic Aspen, CO

Allyn Harvey Allyn Harvey Communications Carbondale, CO Janet and Jeff Bier Alpine River Lodging Redstone, CO Harry Teague Harry Teague Architects Basalt, CO

Sarah Hurt Aspen Jewel Box Aspen, CO Karen Ryman Aspen Thrift Aspen, CO Erica Scillery Bella Me Shoes Glenwood Springs, CO Brad Nelson Board by Design Carbondale, CO Bob Stardooj CEO, Mason & Morse Aspen, CO Sheri Scruby Book Grove Glenwood Springs, CO Cedar Rose Building for Health Materials Center Carbondale, CO Barclay Lottimer Bujin Productions Carbondale, CO Bernard and Kathy Moffroid Caf Bernard Basalt, CO David Teitler Carbondale Acupuncture Center Carbondale, CO Michael Gibson CareBase, Inc. Glenwood Springs, CO

Mark Thomas Christopher Martin Gallery Aspen, CO Jennifer Stanaszek Crystal Valley Manor Redstone, CO Reed Lewis Daly Bottle Shop and Grain Fine Food Snowmass, CO David Rasmussen David Rasmussen Design Carbondale, CO Daniel Sprick Daniel Sprick Art Glenwood Springs, CO Eva Hogan Dannenmann-Pure Aspen, CO Lisa Ruoff Eco-Goddess Carbondale, CO Jason Harvey Eco Performance Auto Carbondale, CO Michael Thompson Eco Systems Design, Inc Basalt, CO Kristin Yeary Elliott Yeary Gallery Aspen, CO Amy Forsey Express Yourself Basalt, CO

Laurel Astor Extraordinary! Glenwood Springs, CO Steve Swanson Good Health Natural Grocers Glenwood Springs, CO Joe Rodgers Glenwood Music Inc. Glenwood Springs, CO Chris Heinz Grind Glenwood Glenwood Springs, CO Brenda McCartney Heirlooms Basalt, CO Patti Deuroth High Country Gems and Minerals Glenwood Springs, CO Ron Hochfield Hochfield Jewelers Aspen, CO Shelley Fishbein Hole in the Wall, LLC Glenwood Springs, CO Brian Afper Independence Run and Hike Carbondale, CO Jeff Isaacson Jeffreezz Sorbetto Aspen, CO Philip H. Williams Joseph Averbach Gallery Carbondale, CO

Olivier Mottier Jour de Fete Aspen, CO Judy Hill Judy Hill Unlimited Aspen, CO Katie Custodio Katies Cakes Carbondale, CO Isela Gutierrez Kings and Queens Barbershop Glenwood Springs, CO Will Sabarese Konnyaku Carbondale, CO Carlie Pinder Koto Aspen, CO Ignacio Pimente La Plaga Chilanga El Jebel, CO Zemifira Alieva Lacy Stuff Lingerie Aspen, CO Marie Casanova Le Tub Aspen, CO Sally Norwood Main Street Gallery Carbondale, CO Rosie Wettstein Main Street Spirits Carbondale, CO

Virgile Verellen Manrico Aspen, CO Efenesh M Bartley Maraki Ethiopian Cuisine Aspen, CO Mark Goodman Mark Richards of Aspen, Inc Aspen, CO Roger Marolt Marolt LLP Aspen, CO Mike Marolt Michael S. Marolt CPA PC Aspen, CO Tracy Bennett Midland Shoe Basalt, CO Lisa Manzano Mona Lisa Inc. Glenwood Springs, CO Kelly Philbin Mountain Love Carbondale, CO Sharon Wright Nar.cis.sus. Hair Salon Glenwood Springs, CO Patsy Malone Nina McLemore Aspen, CO Mary Moyer Nuages Aspen, CO

Lisa Lemay Aspen T-shirt Company/OBos Enterprises Aspen, CO Robert Pastore Pastores Taste of Philly Snowmass, CO Bee-eng Wong Poppycocks Aspen, CO Bev Goss Redstone Art Center Redstone, CO Martin Garfinkel Roadside Gallery Carbondale, CO Mya Cote Snowmass Village Salon Snowmass, CO Trent Castleberry Stubbies Basalt, CO Rose and Brook LeVan Sustainable Settings Carbondale, CO Jennifer Green A Great Find Interior Design El Jebel, CO Frank Heger The Aspen Goldsmith Aspen, CO Barbara Menandez The Big Wrap Aspen, CO

George Sells Omnibus Gallery Aspen, CO Norma Morris The Sewing Studio Aspen, CO Douglas Larson The Sleep Shop Glenwood Springs, CO Fletcher Duke The Stew Pot Snowmass, CO Barclay Lottimer Third Street Caf Carbondale, CO Glen Randall Glen Randall Photography Colorado statewide Melissa Adams Wild Mountain Honey Rifle, CO Melissa S. DeHaan MSDesign New Castle, CO

Maria Maniscalchi Thunder River Market Glenwood Springs, CO Bob Stifter Tiffany of Redstone Redstone, CO Lynne Mace Toklat Gallery Basalt, CO Erin Zalinski Treadz Glenwood Springs, CO Matt Vickers Vickers Collection Aspen, CO