WASHINGTON – U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette (D-CO) today introduced H.R. 4289, the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009. The Act identifies 34 areas, comprising 850,000 acres, as public lands deserving protection in Colorado:

“I am proud to introduce the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009.  For the last decade, I have introduced legislation to protect wilderness quality public land across Colorado.  During that time, we have seen many of our state’s special places and wilderness quality areas come under increasing pressure of being lost forever. 

“The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009 would protect 34 areas, comprising a total of 850,000 acres.  The Act is a balanced proposal that will protect just over 1% of Colorado’s total land area.  The proposal was carefully researched, with its wilderness qualities and boundaries established using sophisticated geographic information systems and double checked on the ground by dedicated citizen volunteers.” 
 
DeGette’s proposal includes Colorado gems such as the soaring alpine 14,000 ft. vista’s of Red Cloud Peak, the red rock canyons of Dolores River Canyons, and the vital riparian areas and wildlife habitats of Beaver Creek near Colorado Springs.  The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2009 would preserve critical mid-elevation wilderness areas, which are not well represented in the National Wilderness Preservation System. 
  
“The areas in my bill represent some of the most cherished and magnificent public lands in our state, and it is my strong belief that we must conserve these areas for future generations.  Colorado has a remarkable outdoor heritage, and it is the outdoors that will remain central to our economy and lifestyle.” 

There is strong public support for protecting wilderness areas in Colorado.  In a recent Wilderness Society poll, over 70% of Coloradoans support more Colorado wilderness and wild lands.  
 
For maps and detailed descriptions of the Colorado Wilderness Act please visit:
http://degette.house.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=844&Itemid=189