DeGette Introduces Colorado Wilderness Act

Washington – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) introduced the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2011, setting forth a balanced approach to protecting some of the last remaining wild places in Colorado. The bill contains 28 proposed wilderness areas, as well as three smaller additions to existing wilderness areas, and in total would permanently protect nearly 700,000 acres of precious land.

"As a fourth-generation Coloradoan, I know firsthand that Colorado's beautiful lands are one of our state's greatest resources," said DeGette. "These special lands not only provide clean air, clean water and critical wildlife habitat, they help drive tourism as our state's number one economic engine. It is critically important we protect these remaining wild areas so that future generations have access to the same benefits we enjoy today."

Over the past several years, population growth and corresponding demands have placed increasing pressure on our public lands and resources. For example, 56% of Bureau of Land Management (BLM) land in Colorado is leased for oil and gas activities, while 2.5% is protected wilderness. The Colorado Wilderness Act seeks to balance these demands while keeping an eye on our natural heritage and preserving some of the most ecologically rich areas in our state.

"Over the past 12 years, as I've worked on this bill with Coloradoans across the state, I've heard many different opinions, but those opinions are most often rooted in a set of shared statewide values. Coloradoans want to preserve their history, their quality of life and their opportunities. I believe this legislation does just that and I look forward to working with the Administration and my colleagues in Congress on a process that results in significant wilderness designations in our state."

The bill recognizes the need for balanced use of our public lands, and as such, maintains existing grazing, oil and gas, and mineral rights. The areas proposed for wilderness designation are primarily BLM mid-elevation lands and lower-lying canyons. Many of these low-lying areas are underrepresented in our National Wilderness Preservation System, making their inclusion in the Act that much more critical.

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