DeGette Joins National Leaders in Celebrating Great Outdoors Week

Today, U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (CO-1) is joining governors, business owners, and local leaders in support of Great Outdoors Week, August 20-28. This national celebration recognizes the recreational, environmental and economic value of America's public lands and highlights the importance of protecting Colorado's national parks and natural resources from industrial development. The event comes in advance of Congress' vote on legislation that would open up more than 60 million acres of public lands to new development, including new road-building, coal mining, and oil and gas development.

"Here in Colorado, while my constituents and I are working with the Forest Service to keep the best of our backcountry forests protected, some in Congress are pushing on behalf of special interests to take those protections away entirely," said DeGette. "Coloradans depend on these areas for our drinking water, our outdoor economy and our cherished way of life, and they must be persevered."

Colorado is known for its scenic beauty and accessible forestland which drawn millions of visitors to the state each year. The outdoor industry alone contributes over $10 billion annually to the Colorado economy and supports hundreds of thousands of jobs.

For this reason, DeGette has joined Colorado's conservation organizations, sportsmen's groups, and the outdoor industry in support of Colorado's Great Outdoor Week in order to recognize the priceless value of our public lands and natural resources at a time when Congress debates the release of protected roadless areas to allow industrial development. By recognizing the enduring value of our America's public lands, Representative DeGette hopes to inspire Coloradans to participate in recreational activities such as hiking, biking, and fishing during the weeklong event and, in doing so, send a message to Congress: protect our great outdoors.