Dear Editor: On Feb. 21 and 22, the Grand Mesa Uncompaghre and Gunnison National Forest held the final stage of the public engagement for the revised forest plan (known as the objection resolution meeting) in Lakewood. Commissioner Lynn Padgett drove to Denver immediately after a Board of County Commissioners meeting and arrived at midnight to prepare for an 8:30 a.m. meeting. Having Commissioner Padgett present in the room with U.S. Forest Service decision-makers as the BOCC’s designated county representative was invaluable to the interests of Ouray County. She was the only Ouray County participant to make it in person. A handful of well-prepared nonprofit representatives attended virtually.