Colorado has 8,350,005 acres of BLM lands and 14,498,801 acres of National Forests. The last wilderness designated in Colorado was in 2002, the James Peak Wilderness.

Media Campaigns

Mike Allen, business owner, Grand Junction and Montrose

[1]

Keith Distel, rancher & teacher, Olathe

[2]

Grand Junction Hiking Group: J. Moon, B. Meysenburg, J. Woodward, J. Dahlen, J. Olson

[3]

This media campaign ran in several Colorado papers to hilight how diverse supporters of wilderness are, illustrating that wilderness is our common ground. Click each photo to view the respective print ad (PDF), or visit the campaign page [4].

Bills

Dominguez Canyon

© Mike Matz

Bill title:

Dominguez-Escalante National Conservation Area and Dominguez Canyon Wilderness Area Act

Bill number:

S. 3065 / H.R. 6162

Sponsors:

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO), Rep. John Salazar (D-CO)

Summary:

This legislation would create the approximately 200,000 acre Dominguez-Escalante Canyons National Conservation Area, including more than 66,000 acres designated as wilderness. The conservation area is known for its redrock sandstone canyons, cliffs, streams and waterfalls, the area provides healthy habitat for desert big horn sheep, bears, deer and a variety of birds. Rock art and other artifacts from ancient native civilizations will also be preserved with this legislation.

More Info:

Colorado Environmental Coalition [5]

Western Colorado Congress [6]

Browns Canyon

© Jeff Widen

Bill title:

Browns Canyon Wilderness Act

Bill number:

S. 3066

Sponsors:

Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO)

Summary:

This legislation would protect some 20,000 acres of the Pike-San Isabel National Forest. Browns Canyon is one of the last pristine canyons in Colorado, remarkable as it contains the busiest stretch of the Arkansas River. The area contains stunning granite rock outcroppings and is home to a variety of important wildlife species, including bighorn sheep, deer, elk, golden eagle, mountain lion and bobcat. The legislation is broadly backed by a diverse coalition of local stakeholders, including elected officials, sportsmen, the business community, conservationists, and bicycle groups.

More Info:

Colorado Environmental Coalition [7]

Rocky Mountain National Park

© Jeff Widen

Bill title:

Rocky Mountain National Park Wilderness and Indian Peaks Wilderness Expansion Act

Bill number:

S. 1380/H.R. 2334

Sponsors:

Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO), Sen. Ken Salazar (D-CO), Sen. Wayne Allard (R-CO) and Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-CO)

Summary:

This legislation would protect as wilderness nearly 250,000 acres (94 percent) of Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park. This bipartisan legislation would protect many of the lush forested valleys, glistening lakes and rivers, alpine tundra and spectacular mountain peaks that make the Rocky Mountains a national treasure. Wilderness protection for these areas has been a long time coming. President Richard Nixon recommended designating the undeveloped backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park as wilderness in 1974.

More Info:

Colorado Environmental Coalition [8]

Local Conservation Groups

• Colorado Environmental Coalition [9]
• Colorado Wild [10]
• Colorado Wilderness Network
• San Juan Citizens Alliance [11]
• The Colorado Mountain Club [12]
• Western Colorado Congress [13]
• Wilderness Workshop [14]