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119-hr-1728119th Congress

Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act

Sponsored By: Representative Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

Introduced

Summary

Protect and expand Colorado's public lands and key wildlife corridors. The bill would add multiple wilderness and conservation areas across the White River and San Juan ranges and set up a credits system to retire certain Thompson Divide oil and gas leases.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

12 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 1 costs, 8 mixed.

Grazing and new rules in Williams Fork

If enacted, about 8,036 acres would start as "potential wilderness" in the Williams Fork Mountains. Final wilderness status would begin no earlier than 180 days after enactment and then on the earliest of three events set in the bill. If the Secretary allows grazing, limited motorized gear could be used to build or fix range improvements for up to 2 years after a positive grazing decision. The Secretary would also need to decide within 3 years if grazing is allowed on the Big Hole and Blue Ridge allotments, and issue permits within 1 year if approved. In the Williams Fork Wildlife Conservation Area, commercial timber harvest would be banned (except byproducts), and motorized use and bikes would be limited to designated roads and trails.

Thompson Divide: limits, credits, methane pilot

If enacted, the Thompson Divide area would be withdrawn from new mining claims, mineral leasing, and geothermal leasing, subject to valid rights. Leaseholders who give up all Thompson Divide leases could get credits equal to bonus bids paid, rentals paid as of the notice date, and certain permit prep costs as of January 28, 2019. Holders with listed Wolf Creek rights would need to transfer those first to get credits. A BLM pilot would target fugitive coal mine methane: plan due in 180 days, inventory within 2 years, leasing to start within 1 year after the inventory, and leases must use or destroy methane within 3 years. If big emissions remain unleased 4 years after the inventory, the Secretary could act subject to funding. The bill keeps current grazing administration in Thompson Divide and protects valid existing mineral rights and lawful access.

Existing grazing could continue

If enacted, livestock grazing that was in place before the bill passes could continue on the covered lands. Grazing would follow wilderness law guidelines and reasonable rules set by the Secretary. This would help current permittees keep operating.

Create Curecanti National Recreation Area

If enacted, the Curecanti National Recreation Area would cover about 50,300 acres. It would start on the earlier of a set approval by the Secretary or 1 year after enactment. The Park Service could buy land from willing sellers, accept donations, transfer land from other agencies, or exchange land. About 2,500 acres from the Forest Service and about 6,100 acres from BLM would shift to the Park Service. A management plan would be due within 3 years after funds are available.

Official maps for protected areas

If enacted, the Secretary would file official maps and legal descriptions for each area and make them public. These maps would carry the same legal weight as the bill text, with typo fixes allowed. The Secretary could make small boundary changes for the Porcupine Gulch and Williams Fork Wildlife areas to address highway or transit needs, in consultation with the State.

Wider mining and leasing limits on lands

If enacted, lands designated in this bill, plus about 6,590 acres at the Naturita Canyon area, would be withdrawn from mining claims, mineral leasing, mineral materials, and geothermal leasing, subject to valid existing rights. This would limit future mineral development in those areas.

Buy or swap land for parks

If enacted, the Secretary could accept donations, buy from willing sellers, or swap land inside the new protected areas. Any land brought in would be managed as part of the area. This could help connect habitat and improve recreation access without forced sales.

New areas in White River Forest

If enacted, the bill would add wilderness in several places: about 6,896 acres at Ptarmigan Peak, 3,866 at Holy Cross, 5,235 at Hoosier Ridge, 7,624 at Tenmile, and 7,634 at Eagles Nest. It would set aside about 8,287 acres at Porcupine Gulch as a Wildlife Conservation Area with limits on new roads, motorized use, and commercial timber projects. It would also create the 2,674‑acre Spraddle Creek Wildlife Conservation Area with a motorized ban, except for administration or emergencies, and temporary veg‑management roads that must be removed within 3 years. The 3,528‑acre Williams Fork Wildlife Conservation Area would be managed to conserve wildlife, watersheds, and recreation.

Rules for Sheep Mountain and Liberty Bell

If enacted, about 21,663 acres would be the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area, and about 792 acres would be the Liberty Bell East area. Existing permitted uses, like a long‑running race and certain helicopter access, could continue under conditions. Permanent roads would be banned, and most motorized uses would be barred except for cleanup, safety, or minimal administration. Some mapped routes would allow bicycles.

Small boundary changes to lands

If enacted, about 15.5 acres would be removed from the potential wilderness in Rocky Mountain National Park. About 120 acres in Summit County would be added to the White River National Forest, with Land and Water Conservation Fund rules applying as if in place since 1965.

Some study lands lose extra limits

If enacted, parts of the Dominguez Canyon and McKenna Peak study areas not made wilderness would no longer follow the special study‑area limits. Those lands would be managed under this bill and other laws. This could allow more uses than before.

What these designations would not change

If enacted, the Secretary could act in wilderness to manage fire, insects, and disease. Military training and low‑level flights could continue, and new special‑use airspace could be set. No buffer zones would be created just because activities can be seen or heard from inside protected areas. Colorado would keep control of fish and wildlife management. Tribal treaty rights would stand, and traditional uses could continue under terms set by law.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2]

CO • D

Cosponsors

  • Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

  • Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

  • Rep. Crow, Jason [D-CO-6]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 2/27/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
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