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119-hr-7425119th Congress

Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Representative DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would designate many Colorado lands as permanent components of the National Wilderness Preservation System and would *protect them as wilderness*, while setting clear rules for existing water facilities and related access.

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  • Land managers and conservationists would have to use official maps and legal descriptions and manage the new wilderness areas under the Wilderness Act, with the Secretary (Interior or Agriculture as appropriate) working with state authorities on enforcement.
  • Irrigators and other water users would keep reasonable access to water resource facilities that existed at enactment, including motorized access on pre-existing routes when necessary. The bill would allow maintenance, repair, and replacement of those facilities and routes to preserve their present function, provided actions do not increase adverse impacts on wilderness resources and values.
  • Ranchers and permit holders would see grazing continue as allowed under the Wilderness Act, and the bill would recognize existing vested water rights adjudicated before enactment while requiring operation and maintenance to follow Colorado law.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 3 mixed.

Water rights, access, and project ban

If enacted, the Secretary would be required to secure water rights needed to meet the purposes of the new wilderness areas. Any Federal water rights would be appropriated and adjudicated under Colorado law, and the Secretary must act promptly but not before January 1, 2027. Existing water resource facilities in the areas would keep reasonable access, including motorized access used on the date of enactment, and repairs would be allowed only if they do not increase adverse impacts versus enactment conditions. Starting on the date of enactment, federal officials would be barred from funding, authorizing, permitting, or issuing licenses for new water projects in the Act area.

New and potential Colorado wilderness

If enacted, this bill would name and protect many specified Colorado BLM and Forest Service lands as wilderness under the Wilderness Act. Examples include Bull Gulch (~20,171 acres) and Redcloud Peak (~38,176 acres). Some other areas would be labeled "potential wilderness." Those potential areas would become official wilderness when the Secretary publishes a Federal Register notice saying all nonconforming uses that violate the Wilderness Act have stopped. Until that notice, those areas would be managed as wilderness except for activities the bill explicitly allows.

Rules for grazing, events, and flights

If enacted, the bill would require the new wilderness lands to be managed under the Wilderness Act and would preserve valid existing rights. Grazing would continue to be administered consistent with the Wilderness Act and specified guidance. The Act would not create a protective perimeter or buffer zone. Some currently permitted competitive running events could continue if compatible with preservation. Low-level military helicopter overflights and related training could continue consistent with the existing August 4, 1987 memorandum or a later agreement. Colorado would keep its authority over wildlife and fish.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1]

CO • D

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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