The USDA recently released its latest proposal to manage Colorado’s 4.2 million acres of roadless backcountry. The roadless backcountry provides a myriad of social, economic, and environmental benefits including unmatched opportunities for hunting, fishing, backpacking, wildlife watching and horsepacking, all while sequestering carbon dioxide and other pollutants, providing clean drinking water for millions and retaining intact habitat for countless animal and plant species. Roadless area recreational pursuits also bolster the economies of adjacent communities, and improve the quality of life for the people who make hunting, fishing and other outdoor pursuits an essential part of their family traditions.

The USDA has previously stated the Colorado rule will be as strong or stronger than the 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule. So far the proposal falls short of that standard. We need a stronger rule that either eliminates or severely limits loopholes for road building, tree-cutting, and utility corridors.  We also need many more acres protected in the “upper tier” category to ensure the irreplaceable value of these areas remains for our children and grandchildren.  

Now is the time for backcountry users to speak up and tell decision makers how important these priceless lands are to our quality of life and our sporting heritage. Tell federal land managers that you want the highest protections placed on our roadless public lands. Ask them to adopt the conservation alternative (Alternative 4), which protects vital fish and wildlife habitat. These key roadless backcountry areas are the keystone to healthy fish and wildlife populations, providing the majority of the habitat for native fish and game species in the state. Protection of these lands will ensure that sporting opportunities will remain plentiful for future generations – they must be provided the protections they deserve. 

The Colorado Roadless Rule Revised Draft Environmental Impact Statement (RDEIS) was released on April 14th. The public now has until July 14th to comment. Please take a moment to peruse this site, learn more about why the roadless backcountry is so important, and then use that knowledge to send comments and spread the word about the necessity of protecting these incredible lands.

The complete draft along with a summary, maps, and other information can be found here.  Please send your comments to Colorado Roadless Rule, PO BOX 1919, Sacramento, CA  95812 or via email to : COComments@fsroadless.org.

The Forest Service will also be hosting a series of open houses across the state. These open houses will provide the opportunity to learn more about what the rule would actually do and to talk to agency officials and other conservationists. Please plan on attending the open house near you. The schedule is below.

*Please return to this site often as we will continue to provide more information regarding how the rule will change management and affect sporting opportunities.*