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by Pete Kolbenschlag
There are over nine million acres of roadless public lands in Colorado suitable for Wilderness designation. Currently, 3.2 million acres are designated. A proposal to protect an additional 1.4 million acres, mostly low- and mid-elevation lands, has been out since January 1994. The Conservationists' wilderness proposal for Bureau of Land Management (BLM) lands is a widely supported effort to win these lands the federal protection they deserve.
As members of the Colorado Mountain Club already know, wilderness provides our state's premier recreational opportunities. From hiking 14,000-foot peaks to climbing, camping, and family day hikes, Colorado's wilderness opportunities are unsurpassed. However, wilderness in Colorado is still limited. Over ninety percent of our designated wilderness areas are in upper elevation, high tundra areas, so-called "rock and ice" wilderness. Not included are over one million BLM acres of roadless desert and mesas in western and central Colorado.
Not only do these lands provide a much longer recreational season, and in many cases quicker access, but--more importantly--they provide critical wildlife habitat. Biologically, these mid- and lower-elevation lands are much richer than the "rock and ice" areas currently protected. As private lands throughout the state face unprecedented development, critters become even more dependent on these large roadless areas which provide winter range, year-round habitat, and security areas for Colorado's prized wildlife.
The Conservationists' Wilderness Proposal is a critical step toward winning permanent protection for Colorado's remaining roadless lands. The effort is a shared project by conservation groups joined loosely in the Colorado Wilderness Network. They include the Colorado Mountain Club, Colorado Environmental Coalition, the Wilderness Society, Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Sierra Club, Western Colorado Congress, and others.
This spring and summer, staff and volunteers will be in the field inventorying units in our proposal. This will provide volunteers an opportunity to experience some of our state's amazing wildlands while they make a difference for Colorado's environment. Volunteer opportunities include either the chance to go out solo or join with a larger group for planned "Mapping Weekends." Take a hike for wilderness, and help Keep It Wild.
For information on the Wilderness campaign, call Pete at 970-243-0002. For
information on getting involved with the field work, call Kurt at 303-534-7066.
Kolbenschlag is a member of the Colorado Environmental Coalition.
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This page maintained by Keith Jensen .