"As a native westerner, I have a deep personal and spiritual connection to Colorado. While a young man, my grandfather was a cowboy and later was the first outfitter (with a horseback business) in Rocky Mountain National Park. As an adult, I have explored, with what might be thought of as religious fervor, Colorado's high mountains, rivers, prairies and canyons. Many years I've spent more nights sleeping under the stars than under a roof. We owe it to our children, grandchildren, and future generations to preserve our natural landscape, to teach them countless lessons contained in our surroundings, and to instill in them a sense of responsibility and stewardship for this magical place." --Mark Udall