Senate Committee Blocks Colorado Land Grab Following Local Opposition

Statement

This week, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee considered and failed to pass the so-called Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act.

Congresswoman Boebert stated, "The CORE Act is effectively dead this Congress. Despite roughly 65% of the lands impacted by this bill being in my district, I was never consulted on this bill. Reasonable changes proposed by former Senator Cory Gardner and local stakeholders were also ignored and not incorporated in the latest land grab, despite false claims that this bill is what the people on the ground want. The CORE Act would also accelerate wildfires due to its numerous wilderness designations and other provisions that restrict federal agencies' ability to actively manage their lands. Proposals to lock up more land may generate campaign checks from the enviros for out-of-touch leftists, but they don't result in good public policy. I will continue to fight partisan land grabs and to ensure access for the American people to our public lands."

Background:

For nearly a decade, leftists and extremists have been trying to pass different versions of the CORE Act to lock up nearly 400,000 acres in Colorado, the majority of which are in the Third Congressional District. At a time of record-high gas prices, shockingly the bill also sought to permanently prevent responsible oil and gas production on nearly 200,000 acres. This permanent withdrawal is a solution in search of a problem since the area of controversy is already administratively withdrawn.

Following Biden's failed energy policies, there has never been a time more essential to strive to become more energy independent. Our nation cannot endure more egregious land grabs that aim to prevent responsible energy production and multiple-use of public lands.

Last year, when Democrats tried to sneak the CORE Act and Rep. Degette's Wilderness bill into the National Defense Authorization Act, the Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition, Trails Preservation Alliance, and the Colorado Snowmobile Association said, "We have tried to work with Representative Neguse and DeGette Offices for years to address our concerns to no avail…this proposal puts our members safety at issue and this is an issue that we assert with all seriousness…we lose access, both now and in the future in areas that have been…found to be suitable and sustainably available for recreational usage and many areas are designated for future expansion or relocation of recreational opportunities."

Other stakeholders and organizations opposing H.R. 803 at that time included: American Energy Alliance, American Farm Bureau Federation, American Forests Resource Council, American Loggers Council, Archuleta County, Arizona Cattle Growers Association, Arizona Farm Bureau, Arizona Power Authority, California Farm Bureau, Center for Energy & Environment, Cheyenne County (Colorado), Coalition of AZ/NM Counties, Colorado Consulting Foresters, Colorado Farm Bureau, Conservatives for Property Rights, Dolores County (Colorado), Douglas Creek Conservation District, Federal Forests Resource Coalition, Freemont County (Colorado), Golden Vertex Corp., Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce, Grant County Cattle Growers Association (New Mexico), Independent Petroleum Association of America, Industrial Minerals Association -- North America, Less Government, Mesa County (Colorado), Montezuma County (Colorado), National Mining Association, National Stone Sand and Gravel Association, New Mexico Federal Lands Council, Protect Americans Now, Public Lands Council, Public Lands for the People, San Juan Trail Riders, Washington Farm Bureau, West Slope Colorado Oil & Gas Association, Western Energy Alliance, White River Conservation District, Yavapai County Cattle Growers.

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