# 119-hr-7425: Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026

119-hr-7425, Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026, is a 119th Congress bill sponsored by Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (D-CO); status introduced (as of 2026-06-07).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7425
- As of: 2026-06-07
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: 119-hr-7425
- Congress: 119
- Title: Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026
- Status: introduced
- Introduced: 2026-02-09
- Sponsor: Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1] (D-CO)
- Cosponsors: 0
- Policy area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
- Touches household money: no
- Last recorded action: 2026-06-07

## 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.** - 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.

## Provisions PRIA read

- Water rights, access, and project ban: mixed, low. 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…
- New and potential Colorado wilderness: mixed, low. 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 wo…
- Rules for grazing, events, and flights: mixed, low. 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…

## Related bills

- 119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act
- 119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026
- 119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act
- 119-hr-9070: OPEN Act
- 119-hr-5658: Child Care for Every Community Act
- 119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act

## Sources
- [119-hr-7425 on Congress.gov](https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/7425)

## Related
- [119-hr-7977: Energy Bills Relief Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7977)
- [119-hr-7481: Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act, 2026](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7481)
- [119-hr-7973: Momnibus Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7973)
- [119-hr-9070: OPEN Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-9070)
- [119-hr-5658: Child Care for Every Community Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-5658)
- [119-hr-3069: Medicare for All Act](https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-3069)
- [All bills in Congress](https://policyrisk.com/legislation)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/legislation/119-hr-7425 (as of 2026-06-07).