The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act aims to conserve and manage land in Colorado by expanding wilderness areas, protecting wildlife, promoting responsible energy development, and establishing the Curecanti National Recreation Area.
Joe Neguse
Representative
CO-2
* **Title I (Continental Divide):** Expands wilderness areas and designates wildlife conservation areas within the White River National Forest and Rocky Mountain National Park to protect natural habitats and recreational spaces, while also protecting existing rights and uses. * **Title II (San Juan Mountains):** Focuses on land management and conservation in the San Juan Mountains region by expanding wilderness protections, designating new special management areas, and protecting traditional tribal rights. * **Title III (Thompson Divide):** Withdraws the Thompson Divide area from mineral and geothermal leasing to protect its natural resources, offers compensation to leaseholders, and establishes a methane capture program to reduce emissions from coal mines. * **Title IV (Curecanti National Recreation Area):** Establishes the Curecanti National Recreation Area as part of the National Park System, outlining management, land acquisition, and usage guidelines to ensure preservation while allowing for recreational activities and existing rights.
Colorado's CORE Act: Protecting Wild Spaces and Boosting Outdoor Recreation
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act is a big deal for anyone who loves Colorado's wild places. This bill focuses on protecting land and boosting outdoor recreation across four key areas: the Continental Divide, the San Juan Mountains, the Thompson Divide, and Curecanti National Recreation Area. It's all about preserving natural spaces, supporting wildlife, and making sure people can still enjoy these areas for generations to come.
Protecting Our Backyard
The CORE Act is like a major upgrade for Colorado's wilderness areas. It expands existing protected zones like Ptarmigan Peak and Holy Cross, and creates entirely new ones, including Hoosier Ridge and Tenmile Wilderness (Title I). Think more protected hiking trails, camping spots, and places for wildlife to thrive. For example, the bill designates the Porcupine Gulch and Williams Fork Mountains Wildlife Conservation Areas (Title I), specifically to protect the routes animals use to migrate. It's like building wildlife highways, but without the asphalt!
It also sets up Special Management Areas in the San Juans (Title II), like Sheep Mountain and Liberty Bell East. This means extra protection for the unique geology, cultural sites, and recreation spots in these areas. The bill specifically limits things like new roads and motorized vehicles to keep these places pristine. So, if you're a hiker, climber, or just someone who appreciates a beautiful view, this is good news.
Balancing Act: Nature and Energy
The Thompson Divide section (Title III) is where things get interesting. The CORE Act protects this area from new oil and gas drilling. It withdraws federal lands from future mineral and geothermal leasing, safeguarding the area's natural beauty and recreational value. But it also recognizes that there are existing leases. So, the bill offers a way for current leaseholders to get credit if they voluntarily give up their leases, which they can then use for drilling in other parts of the state. It's a compromise that aims to protect the environment while being fair to businesses.
And there's a cool tech angle: the bill creates a pilot program to capture methane – a potent greenhouse gas – that leaks from coal mines in the area (Title III). They're going to inventory the methane leaks and then offer leases for companies to capture or destroy it. This not only helps the environment but could also create new jobs in the clean energy sector.
Curecanti Gets an Upgrade
Finally, the CORE Act officially establishes the Curecanti National Recreation Area (Title IV) as part of the National Park System. This area, covering about 50,300 acres, is already popular for boating, fishing, and hunting. The bill transfers management to the National Park Service, but it makes sure that the Bureau of Reclamation still controls the water – because, you know, water rights are a big deal in Colorado. The bill also protects existing grazing rights and tribal treaty rights, so it's not just about bringing in new rules, it's about respecting what's already there. There's even a requirement for a full management plan within three years (Title IV, Sec. 404(f)), so everyone gets a roadmap for how this place will be run.
Overall, the CORE Act is about striking a balance. It's about protecting Colorado's incredible natural resources while also recognizing the needs of local communities, businesses, and recreation enthusiasts. It's a complex piece of legislation, but the bottom line is that it aims to keep Colorado wild and beautiful for everyone.