by Emily Hornback, Community Organizer

Yesterday afternoon, Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet reintroduced the San Juan Wilderness Act! The move is a great step toward conservation and sustainable economies, especially with the 50th anniversary of the Wilderness Act right around the corner.

After years of negotiations and work with local stakeholders, the legislation would expand the existing Mt. Sneffels and Lizard Head Wilderness Areas, establish the McKenna Peak Wilderness in western San Miguel County, create the Sheep Mountain Special Management Area along the alpine ridge between San Miguel and San Juan Counties, and prohibit oil and gas development in Naturita Canyon near Norwood. You can see maps of these proposed areas here.

Over three years in the making, multiple stakeholders were heard during the citizen initiated process. Conservation groups and lawmakers  met with all “user groups” and adjacent landowners to find compromises and develop a proposal that has a broad range of support from the entire region.

Western Colorado Congress and our community partners have been strong supporters of the San Juan Wilderness Act since it was first introduced in 2009. Members have played an active role in supporting the bill by inspiring public comments to Western Colorado lawmakers, leading hikes into areas that would be protected by the bill, and turning out hundreds of people to town hall meetings across the region to speak out on behalf of wilderness. WCC and supporters will continue to work with elected officials and people on the ground to ensure that this legislation becomes law this year.

Please join us in this effort by emailing and urging Congressman Scott Tipton to become a House sponsor!  You can also call his office in Grand Junction at (970) 241-2499.

And let’s not forget to thank Senators Udall and Bennet for their sponsorship of this important legislation!