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Yesterday, Colorado lawmakers reintroduced the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act, a sweeping public land package that would protect 400,000 acres of new wilderness and recreation areas within the state. The bill would also create the first National Historic Landscape at Camp Hale, a training site for the 10th Mountain Division ski troops during WWII.
The CORE Act passed in the House last year, but was stalled in the Senate, largely due to a lack of support from former Senator Cory Gardner. This year, both of Colorado's senators are championing the bill, including Gardner's successor Senator John Hickenlooper, who campaigned on his support for public lands and the CORE Act in particular. "Communities across our state have worked for ten years to craft this historic effort to protect public lands," said Senator Hickenlooper. "I look forward to it crossing the finish line this Congress."
The CORE Act was created over the past decade through collaboration with local stakeholders, including ranchers, conservationists, and county commissioners from every county impacted by the bill. Rep. Joe Neguse, who is leading the bill in the House, said, “Countless Coloradans have contributed their voices to the creation of this bill, and it’s time for Washington to take notice, and enact this measure into law... I’m excited to get this done for the people of Colorado, for our public lands, our climate and our state’s economy.”
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Protecting 30 percent of our lands and waters by 2030 is an ambitious goal, but it is one that nearly three-quarters of Coloradans support. Achieving it will mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, conserve nature and wildlife, connect people, protect our economy, increase our food and water security, and safeguard Coloradans’ quality of life for generations to come. In short, it is one of our most effective tools for protecting this state that we love.”
