Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) introduced the bipartisan Collaborative Forest Landscape Restoration Program (CFLRP) Reauthorization Act. The bill will reauthorize and expand CFLRP, a U.S. Forest Service program that supports collaborative and community-based forest management to improve forest health, reduce wildfire risk, and support rural and mountain communities. U.S. Representatives Joe Neguse (D-Colo.) and Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.) introduced partner legislation in the House.
“Collaborative forest projects help create jobs throughout Colorado while restoring wildlife habitat and managing fuel for wildfires. In Colorado, they bring together people across local government, industry, and conservation advocacy to make our forests more resilient and help our communities adapt to a changing climate,” said Bennet. “As a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry, I’ll work to expand this valuable program for Colorado in the upcoming Farm Bill.”
“When people come together to develop collaborative plans to manage our forests, we can thin overgrown forests, strengthen our timber stands, support diverse ecosystems, increase fire resilience, and boost workforce development,” said Merkley. “This is a proven, bipartisan model that delivers healthier forests and stronger communities instead of litigation and conflict. Investing more in collaborative solutions will make a real difference in rural communities across Oregon and beyond.”
“Shared, active forest management plays a vital role in reducing the risk of wildfires and fire suppression,” said Crapo. “Ensuring long-term reauthorization of the CFLRP will promote Idaho’s forest health, encourage the responsible stewardship of our public lands and foster resilient, rural economies. Reauthorizing the CFLRP results in stronger relationships on the ground, more effective projects and a decreased risk of conflict and litigation.”
First authorized in 2009, CFLRP has treated and restored 5.7 million acres of forestland, and has helped improve 1,000 miles of trails and maintain 25,000 miles of roads. In Colorado, CFLRP projects, such as the Uncompahgre Partnership, Front Range Roundtable, and Rio Chama successfully demonstrate the importance of collaboration to restore forest health and reduce wildfire risk. This bill would extend CFLRP for another ten years, increase the size and scope of the program to reduce wildfire risk, and make other program improvements.
Bennet previously introduced the CFLRP Reauthorization Act in 2023. In the 2018 Farm Bill, Bennet led the effort to double the authorized funding for CFLRP to $80 million. Bennet also helped secure additional funds for the program through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
In addition to Bennet, Merkley, and Crapo, U.S. Senators Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), and Steve Daines (R-Mont.) cosponsored the bill.
The text of the bill is available HERE.