DeGette Statement on Colorado Wilderness Act Hearing
"After 10 long years I am proud that the Colorado Wilderness Act has finally received a hearing in the U.S. Congress. This balanced and well-researched citizen wilderness bill was brought to me by Coloradans committed to protecting the few remaining wild places in our state. Colorado's open spaces and wilderness lands are central to our lifestyle, quality of life and essential to our state's economy, bringing in millions of tourist dollars every year. Wilderness is also vital for providing wildlife habitat and protecting our natural ecosystems. "
The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009 would add 34 areas consisting of roughly 850,000 acres to the National Wilderness Preservation System. Many of these areas are lower lying canyons and lower elevation desert terrain that are not well represented among Colorado's wilderness areas. DeGette's proposal includes Colorado gems such as the striking outcroppings of the Palisade in Mesa County, the grassy hillsides of Castle Peak in Eagle County, and the vital riparian areas and wildlife habitats of Beaver Creek near Colorado Springs.
"The areas in my bill are ripe for wilderness designation, and I am pleased that we took an important step towards protecting these areas with today's hearing. I look forward to working with local residents and leaders, and all members of the Congressional delegation going forward to continue to refine this proposal."
The bill would leave unaffected over 90% of BLM-managed lands, which would remain open to oil and gas drilling, mining, off-road vehicle use and other development.
The proposal has amassed significant local support over the last decade. It has been endorsed by 350 Colorado businesses and organizations from across the state. Fourteen Colorado counties and municipalities have expressed their support for wilderness.
In a 2007 poll conducted by Talmey-Drake Research & Strategy, over 70% of Coloradans supported additional wilderness designation, including majorities from all parts of the state and from both political parties. Over 90% of Coloradans agreed that wilderness was important for the tourism it supports, and 71% agreed that wilderness-quality lands should not be sacrificed for energy development.
For maps and detailed descriptions of the Colorado Wilderness Act please visit:
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