In a letter to the Colorado Congressional delegation, 20 local officials from across the Colorado called on their representatives to protect the state’s public lands. Just weeks after the budget reconciliation package, also called the “One Big Beautiful Bill” was signed into law, local officials are sounding the alarm on serious cuts to public land management funding and staff. While the heavily reported-on public lands sell-off was excluded from the final legislative package, multiple provisions were signed into law that will have devastating impacts on public lands. Cuts to sustainable land management, expedited resource extraction, and staffing reductions will all negatively impact both National Parks and Bureau of Land Management (BLM) properties in Colorado. In light of these cuts, local officials have called on their federal representatives to explore new ways to restore this critical funding and work with local leaders to ensure the health and safety of the state’s public lands.
“Public lands, especially in the West, should remain open to all. I know that our family, and many others, have benefited from open spaces that we can visit and experience the beauty of our great country” said Edgewater City Council Member Joel Newton.” Public lands are essential for our local economies and beautiful natural landscapes all across the American West. Affordable housing solutions are so important, but this bill will not achieve the goals our communities want and need. I implore Colorado’s federal representatives to preserve funding for local infrastructure, public transit, and forest management.”
Pictured on the left is Summit County Commissioner Nina Waters in the Upper Colorado River Recreation Area. Pictured on the right is Edgewater City Council Member Joel Newton in the Roosevelt National Forest.
More than 22 million acres, nearly a third of the state, of public lands exist in Colorado. From Rocky Mountain National Park to the Great Sand Dunes preserve, these public lands are some of the most unique natural wonders in the world – and are all at risk of mismanagement due to the cuts in the budget reconciliation bill. Included in the bill are the following cuts (also outlined in the letter).
- Cuts to Forest and Wildfire Resilience Programs (Section 10201)
- Mandates Public Land Oil and Gas Leasing (Section 50101)
- Eliminates River and Climate Data Programs (Section 40008)
- Requires Unsustainable Timber Sales (Section 50302)
- Discourages Clean Energy on Public Lands (Section 50303)
- Cuts to National Park Staffing and Climate Resilience (Section 50305)
Pictured on the left is Lakewood City Council Member Isabel Cruz at Lake Irwin in Gunnison National Forest. Pictured on the right is Adams County Commissioner Emma Pinter in the Upper Colorado River Recreation Area.
Taken together, these cuts will have devastating impacts on the state’s national parks and other public lands. Increased resource extraction will decimate the natural wonder while staffing cuts and ending data collection will make sustainable management nearly impossible. These cuts will ultimately lead to more wildfires, more public land misuse, and fewer opportunities for residents to enjoy Colorado’s public lands.
“Edward Abbey was right: ‘The idea of wilderness needs no defense, it only needs defenders,’”said Sarah Parady, Denver City Council Member. “That is as true for those of us living in cities as for those who have made their homes directly adjacent to our public lands. Colorado’s precious public lands are not for sale.
“It is imperative that our public lands remain open to all. The Bureau of Land Management’s mission is ‘to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations’”, said Edgewater City Council Member Kali Janda. “As Coloradans, as nature-lovers, as parents, community-members and local officials, we must be stewards of this mission to continue to use and enjoy the beauty that surrounds us. For the environment, for wildlife, for our mental and physical health, for future generations, I urge our federal representatives to protect our public lands and keep them open to all!”
This story was first reported in the Public News Service. A complete list of letter signatories is below.
- John Clark, Mayor of Ridgway
- Randy Moorman, Mayor Pro Tem of Arvada
- Shawna Ambrose, Arvada City Council Member
- Sarah Parady, Denver At-Large City Council Member
- Serena Gonzales-Gutierrez, Denver At-Large City Council Member
- Flor Alvidrez, Denver City Council Member
- Paul Kashmann, Denver City Council Member
- Shontel Lewis, Denver City Council Member
- Alison Coombs, Aurora At-Large City Council Member
- Joel Newton, Edgewater City Council Member
- Kali Janda, Edgewater City Council Member
- Hannah Gay Keao, Edgewater City Council Member
- Isabel Cruz, Lakewood City Council Member
- Joel Newton, Edgewater City Council Member
- Renée Chacon, Commerce City Council Member
- Christian Luna-Leal, Leadville City Council Member
- Chris Hinds, Denver County Commissioner
- Nina Waters, Summit County Commissioner
- Emma Pinter, Adams County Commissioner
- Jasmin Ramirez, Roaring Fork School District Board President
