DeGette Releases Colorado Wilderness Act Discussion Draft

WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D- CO), a member of the House Natural Resources Committee, today released a discussion draft of the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009. Having introduced similar legislation since 1999, the draft identifies 34 areas, comprising 890,000 acres, as public lands deserving protection in Colorado.

"I am proud to release a draft of this important Wilderness legislation to protect the quality of our public lands throughout Colorado for generations to come," said DeGette. "Over the past few years, our state has seen many of our special places come under threat of being lost forever. I believe we can strike a balance between preserving our wild places and economic development. That is why I am releasing a balanced proposal that will protect our beautiful landscape while leaving over 98 percent of our land untouched."

DeGette's proposal includes Colorado gems such as the soaring alpine 14,000 ft. vista's of Red Cloud Peak, the red rock canyons of Dolores River Canyons, and the vital riparian areas and wildlife habitats of Beaver Creek near Colorado Springs. The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009 would preserve critical mid-elevation wilderness areas, which are not well represented in the National Wilderness Preservation System.

"Colorado's tremendous natural beauty is a vital part of our daily lives as Coloradoans. I welcome comments to this discussion draft and look forward to working with the entire Colorado community to craft a bill that will let our children's children experience the Colorado we love and cherish today."

The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009 is a carefully researched proposal with its wilderness qualities and boundaries established using sophisticated geographic information systems and double checked on the ground by dedicated citizen volunteers. The legislation has evolved over the years as result of the field work by volunteers and from ongoing discussions with Colorado leaders and community members. It does not affect over 90% of lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, which remain open to oil and gas drilling, mining, off-road vehicle use and other development activities. The legislation honors all existing water rights and mining claims and allows existing livestock grazing to continue.

There is strong public support for protecting wilderness areas in Colorado. In a recent Wilderness Society poll, over 70 % of Coloradans support more Colorado wilderness and wild lands.

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