The Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act continues. Western Colorado Alliance has a long history working on CORE. We would like to highlight that CORE should be receiving a hearing by the time of this printing, or in the near future. (Fingers crossed!) The CORE Act, and its commitment to conserving 400,000 acres of public lands, has become even more relevant with the recent release of the Biden administration’s plan to combat climate change.

The plan, known as Conserving and Restoring America the Beautiful, is a 24-page report outlining how America plans to conserve 30% of our land and water by 2030. This conservation will remove the ability to extract resources from these lands.

This plan is based on scientific research that claims this conservation effort is a requirement to combat climate change. Our Alliance is committed to these protections and has been pursuing this goal since our founding. To help in your discussions with friends and colleagues, we offer the eight principles of the plan. We recommend reading them in full. Here are the highlights:

Principle 1: Pursue a Collaborative and Inclusive Approach to Conservation

Americans have already shown their willingness to work together on conservation projects, for this to work, the “spirit of collaboration” must lead this work.

Principle 2: Conserve America’s Lands and Waters for the Benefit of All People

Conservation is more than just protecting lands. Conservation brings benefits to peoples lives. This plan needs to have a human center focus and make sure it benefits all communities.

Principle 3: Support Locally Led and Locally Designed Conservation Efforts

The federal government needs to work in partnership with local groups. Those that are closest to the lands with the most experience need to lead the way in conservation efforts.

Principle 4: Honor Tribal Sovereignty and Support the Priorities of Tribal Nations

Federal agencies must support Indigenous priorities in conservation. Tribal sovereignty must be respected in particular with their land, water, hunting and fishing rights, and sacred sites that must be protected.

Principle 5: Pursue Conservation and Restoration Approaches that Create Jobs and Support Healthy Communities

In order to reach this plan’s conservation goals, there will be a massive investment. This investment will create jobs, and bolster industries, such as outdoor recreation, stimulating our economy.

Principle 6: Honor Private Property Rights and Support the Voluntary Stewardship Efforts of Private Landowners and Fishers

This plan does not intend to remove lands from the hands of landowners. Instead, the goal is to use financial incentives to assist private landowners in converting more of their land into conservation lands.

Principle 7: Use Science as a Guide

Science has proven the need for this conservation effort. The ability to reverse the climate crisis is available and being guided by science will be key to its success.

Principle 8: Build on Existing Tools and Strategies with an Emphasis on Flexibility and Adaptive Approaches

We have seen successes in conservation already and it is important to provide more resources to those. We must also continue to pursue new approaches to solving this crisis. With much of this plan being dependent on local voices leading the effort, our Alliance is committed to making sure the Western Slope is a part of the conversation.