Conservatives, conservationists, sportsmen and the broad array of bill supporters from across Colorado laud the bill’s markup by the Senate Energy Committee 

May 2, 2022

Denver, CO – The varied coalition of organizations, local government supporters, and conservationists cheered the announcement that the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee planned a markup and committee vote for the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.

The CORE Act is a product of years of collaboration and consensus building from communities across Colorado and has deep, long-standing support from a multifaceted coalition of public lands users across the state.

“It’s time to pass the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act,” said Steve Bonowski, Board Member of Conservatives for Responsible Stewardship. “The Act protects significant portions of our beautiful mountains from unneeded development while still preserving places for the outdoor recreation activities that drive rural county economies in Colorado. Recognizing the history and value of Camp Hale is a tribute to all Americans who have served, and continue to serve, in our military.”

“For over a decade, the Glenwood Springs City Council and the citizens of Glenwood Springs have advocated for the protection of the Thompson Divide,” said Jonathan Godes, Mayor of Glenwood Springs. “A diverse group of stakeholders from across our region, including ranchers, outdoor recreationists, sportsmen and women, and local governments have come together to try and protect this important landscape for our community. With the announcement that the CORE Act will receive a markup and vote in the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, we are one step closer to achieving permanent protection for this special place.”

“The Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy Act is common sense legislation and we’re proud to support it,” said Janessa Goldbeck, CEO, Vet Voice Foundation. “We’re specifically excited to work to see Camp Hale — a vital training area for the U.S. Army’s 10th Mountain Division during World War II — designated as the first National Historic Landscape. Veterans have long-played a role in protecting our nation’s public lands. It’s even more exciting to work on projects that will preserve places so closely tied to our military history. We’re ready to do our part to see the CORE Act become law.”

“The CORE Act was built from the ground up through collaboration with local stakeholders and continues to serve as a model for the way conservation should occur,” said Scott Willoughby, Colorado coordinator for Trout Unlimited. “We thank Colorado Senators Bennet and Hickenlooper for listening to the hunting and angling community in their ongoing effort to preserve the vital habitat that sustains some of Colorado’s premier hunting and fishing destinations. Now we ask the rest of the U.S. Senate to heed the call of Colorado sportsmen and women to pass this important legislation once and for all.”

“Passing the CORE Act will communicate a symbol of trust to our veterans who fought to protect these lands,” said Joe Mornini, Founder of Team River Runner, healing veterans through outdoor programs in 31 states. “The public lands and waters in the CORE Act will provide our veterans with more opportunities in the outdoors, which has been proven as the most significant healing environment for those who have served our country.”

Media resources, including still photos and b-roll video footage, for the CORE Act are available from The Wilderness Society at this link: https://www.wilderness.org/articles/media-resources/media-resources-colorado-outdoor-recreation-economy-core-act

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