54% of summer elk herd concentrations are in roadless areas, and 50% of public land in the 15 most-hunted Game Management Units (GMUs) in Colorado is roadless. Twelve of these most-hunted GMUs contain over 100,000 acres of roadless land.

Of all land in the Colorado counties that yield the highest number of trophy mule deer, more than 40% is roadless. Roadless areas help keep game on public land, improve herd health, promote hunter satisfaction and provide quality hunting opportunities.

A 2000 report by economics expert John B. Loomis of Colorado State University found the value of carbon sequestered by roadless area forests to be between $490 million and $1 billion annually. The report also suggested waste treatment provided by roadless area forests has an annual value of $490 million.

The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service and other agencies spend billions of dollars each year to mitigate harmful impacts to endangered species. Habitat fragmentation and loss is continually cited as one the main threats to these species. The easiest and most effective way to aid endangered species and save money on mitigation is to protect remaining habitat. Intact habitat requires no money and provides all the essential sevices these plants and animals need.

“It is the consensus opinion based on science, local expertise and sound knowledge that all Inventoried Roadless Areas in Colorado should be protected, preserved, enhanced, managed and maintained in a manner that provides the maximum benefit for wildlife and wildlife habitat, and that, in turn, can then provide significant return benefits to local and distant citizens and to forest visitors.” -Colorado Division of Wildlife.