PROTECTING OUR LANDS FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
Michael believes protecting our lands, water resources, and wild places is integral to preserving Colorado’s heritage, economy, and way of life. From consensus-built public lands proposals to voluntary agricultural conservation easements, Michael is a champion for land and water resource conservation.
Private Lands Conservation
As the Chairman of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee’s Conservation, Climate, Forestry and Natural Resources Subcommittee, Michael has advocated for modifications to voluntary conservation easements. In the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills, Michael worked to streamline and increase funding for key USDA conservation programs, including the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) and the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). Michael continues to fight to cut red tape in USDA easement programs so they work better for Colorado’s farmers and ranchers
In 2022, Michael secured nearly $20 billion for USDA conservation programs in the Inflation Reduction Act, a landmark piece of legislation to combat the changing climate. In 2023, he crafted the Voluntary Groundwater Conservation Act to give family farmers and ranchers the flexibility to protect groundwater sources while keeping their agricultural lands in production. This bipartisan bill was inspired by the work ongoing in Colorado’s San Luis Valley to find a solution to the challenges of exacerbated drought.
Public Lands Conservation
Michael is known for his commitment to Colorado public lands preservation that is crafted in concert with local leaders, county commissioners, public land users, and Tribal nations. In 2014, Michael protected over 100,000 acres in the Hermosa Creek watershed outside Durango through a new Wilderness and a special management designation. In 2022, Michael secured the permanent protection of Camp Amache and President Joe Biden’s first National Monument, the Camp Hale-Continental Divide. In 2019, he fought to permanently and fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund – a crucial tool to protect and guarantee access to Colorado’s public lands for all.
Senator Bennet continues to advocate for Colorado’s spectacular landscapes and natural heritage. Over the last decade, he has developed three major legislative efforts to protect public land in Colorado.
CORE Act
After more than a decade of partnership with communities throughout Colorado, Michael introduced the Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Economy (CORE) Act to protect over 420,000 acres of public land in Colorado, establish new wilderness areas, and safeguard existing outdoor recreation opportunities to boost the economy for future generations.
Colorado counties – in close coordination with ranchers, recreation groups, hunters, anglers, conservationists, and businesses – helped write each element of the CORE Act. The CORE Act combines three bills that Michael previously introduced: the Continental Divide Recreation, Wilderness and Camp Hale Legacy Act; the San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act; and the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act. It also includes the Curecanti National Recreation Area Boundary Establishment Act, an effort Michael began in 2011.
GORP Act
After a decade of grassroots engagement with local governments, public lands users, and Tribes, Michael introduced the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act. The legislation protects key portions of the Gunnison Basin for generations of future Coloradans through a variety of public land management tools, including special designations focused on recreation, wildlife, scientific research, and conservation.
Dolores River NCA
After nearly two decades of local discussion and collaboration on the Dolores River and at the request of Dolores, Montezuma, and San Miguel Counties, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, a local cattle rancher, and conservation groups, Michael introduced legislation to designate a 68,000-acre National Conservation Area (NCA) for a portion of the Dolores River Corridor.
Please visit these sites for more information about public lands measures Michael has championed:
The Colorado Outdoor Recreation & Rural Economy (CORE) Act
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The Dolores River NCA and SMA
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The Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act
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