Washington, D.C. – Today, Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet sent a letter to Chairman Lisa Murkowski and Ranking Member Joe Manchin to request that the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources hold a hearing on the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (“CORE”) Act. Bennet’s bill, which would protect approximately 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado and boost the state’s outdoor economy, was referred to the Committee following introduction in January.
“The CORE Act was crafted by Coloradans over the last decade to conserve 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado,” wrote Bennet. “The bill proposes more than 70,000 acres of new wilderness, and nearly 80,000 acres of special management areas to be managed for recreation and wildlife conservation. It includes a first-of-its-kind National Historic Landscape designation for Camp Hale to honor Colorado’s unique military history, and limits new federal energy development in parts of our state that are valued by ranchers and sportsmen.”
Since the bill’s introduction in January, the CORE Act has gained momentum and broad support from stakeholders across Colorado. Companion legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Joe Neguse (D-CO) received a hearing in the House Committee on Natural Resources in April where Dan Gibbs, the Executive Director of Colorado’s Department of Natural Resources, testified in support of the bill. The bill was approved by the Committee in June.
“The CORE Act enjoys the full support of seven affected counties, many cities and towns, local leaders, and a wide range of stakeholders – from mountain bikers to ranchers, and hikers to hunters,” wrote Bennet. “For these reasons, Coloradans are eager for the Senate to consider this bill.”
A copy of the letter is available HERE.
Resources
Bill text, a fact sheet, frequently asked questions, letters of support, updated maps, and more are available at www.bennet.senate.gov/COREAct.
B-roll and other media resources are available HERE.
Support for the CORE Act
The CORE Act has gained broad support among local stakeholders, including Colorado Governor Jared Polis, the counties of Eagle, Summit, San Juan, Ouray, San Miguel, Gunnison, and Pitkin, the city of Glenwood Springs, and the towns of Carbondale, Ridgway, Crested Butte, Ophir, Telluride, Breckenridge, Frisco, Mountain Village, Snowmass Village, Dillon, and Basalt.
In addition, the CORE Act is widely supported by Colorado’s outdoor recreation industry, including the Outdoor Industry Association, Vail Resorts, The North Face, Patagonia, and Icelantic Skis. It is also supported by sportsmen and sportswomen, including Trout Unlimited, Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, and the Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership.
Statements of support for the CORE Act are available HERE, and over 35 letters of support are available HERE.
