Last month, President Obama protected the Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument near Las Cruces, N.M. These lands are significant to Hispanics because of our history with these lands, and because our families today can access and enjoy them.

Fortunately for Colorado, President Obama said, "I'm not finished."

Protecting Browns Canyon would ensure these public lands near Salida are protected from mining and other energy development, while providing a boost in economic benefit from recreation and tourism for nearby communities. We've been to Browns Canyon and can vouch for the beauty of the place. In fact, we'll be taking dozens of our youth to Browns Canyon for camping and whitewater rafting later this month as part of Latino Conservation Action Week.

Late last year, Sen. Mark Udall, D-Colo., unveiled a proposal to protect Browns Canyon as a national monument. "Over the last 18 months I developed this bill working side-by-side with Chaffee County leaders, residents, businesses and other stakeholders," he said. "We developed this community-driven bill to ensure future generations of Coloradans can enjoy Browns Canyon's unique mix of whitewater and wilderness."

Now that Browns Canyon will finally have its day in the Senate, it's important for policymakers to take into account the Latino perspective on issues such as this. In Colorado, for instance, the Latino population accounts for more than 21 percent of Colorado's total population. And the polling reinforces the amount our community supports protections of public lands.

In 2012, Colorado College released its annual State of the Rockies Conservation in the West poll, which found that 94 percent of Latinos agreed that public lands such as forests, national parks, monuments and wildlife areas are essential parts of the Western states' economies. Additionally, the 2014 Colorado College survey found that Latino voters were more likely than non-Hispanic whites to agree that conservation issues such as clean water supplies, park funding and air quality are a serious problem.

As leaders within the Latino community, we recognize that we have an important voice in the protection of our public lands and we should not be afraid to use it. All Latinos have a critical role to play in encouraging stewardship of our outdoor and cultural heritage. Colorado's clean water, wildlife habitat, cultural treasures and public lands are entrusted to us to be protected and preserved for the next generation. It is our moral responsibility to care for our land, water, and wildlife.

We applaud Sen. Udall's efforts thus far to permanently protect Browns Canyon. We urge the Colorado congressional delegation and Interior Secretary Sally Jewell to listen to communities of faith like ours. But, ultimately, we need President Obama to recognize the importance of Browns Canyon to Colorado's natural environment and our local economies.

We have a moral responsibility. We belong to the land, it doesn't belong to us — to serve as its stewards and protect our outdoor heritage. Let's hope the Senate fulfills this responsibility to protect Browns Canyon.

Joseito Velasquez is a pastor with Healing Waters Family Center in Denver. Rigo Magaña is a paster with New Hope Christian Fellowship in Greeley. Both are founders of Por la Creación Faith-based Alliance.