Historic Sweetwater Lake, above the Colorado River in Garfield County, just got new owners — and they’re here to protect it. The White River National Forest completed its acquisition Tuesday of the lake and the 488 acres surrounding it adjacent to the Flat Tops Wilderness, marking a victory in conservationists’ efforts to protect the pristine […]
Land and Water Conservation Fund
Posted inNews
Outdoor recreation leaders ask Congress to loosen rules restricting Land and Water Conservation Fund dollars
The pandemic has pushed an unprecedented number of Americans outdoors. It’s also crushed state and local budgets that are struggling to match federal dollars used to support public lands and parks. It’s an administrative paradox that the 13 states with outdoor recreation offices are hoping to fix. The diverse Confluence of States — which champions […]
Posted inEnvironment, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government
Biden administration cancels Trump policy giving local and state officials power to block conservation purchases
By Matthew Brown, The Associated Press BILLINGS, Mont. — U.S. Interior Department officials on Thursday canceled a Trump administration directive that gave local and state officials power to block purchases of land and water for conservation. Acting Interior Secretary Scott de la Vega rescinded a November order from former Secretary David Bernhardt that had been criticized […]
Posted inBusiness, Climate, Economy, Energy, Environment, News, Politics and Government
Joe Biden’s pause on oil and gas development on public lands splits conservationists, industry
Conservationists are cheering the Biden administration’s 60-day pause on new energy development on public lands as a chance to overhaul an antiquated leasing program that has not been modified in decades. Oil and gas producers are not happy and they are warning of severe economic shocks from the decision announced Thursday. “Bowing to the environmental […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: This Colorado vet is counting on Hickenlooper to defend Colorado’s outdoor treasures
Like many Americans my age, I spent a lot of my youth outdoors. Growing up in the wide-open spaces of Texas, I learned basic nature skills as a Boy Scout, and spent many nights outside catching fireflies with my siblings. Still, I’d argue that my outdoor life really began when I fell in love with […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Passage of landmark Great American Outdoors Act now looks like an election-year show
For all the hype and excitement with which the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) was advertised by U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner, Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and President Trump, it appears their signature conservation legislation was nothing more than an election-season façade. Signed into law in August, the GAOA was sold to the American public as […]
Posted inBusiness, Environment, News, Outdoors, Politics and Government
U.S. Forest Service approves protection of Colorado’s Sweetwater Lake, but big questions remain
The White River National Forest’s request for Land and Water Conservation Fund money to permanently protect Garfield County’s Sweetwater Lake — a pristine oasis surrounded by public lands — has been granted. But the agency did not say how much of the requested $8.5 million from the fund will be distributed. That’s just one of […]
Posted inEnvironment, News, Newsletters, Outdoors, Outsider, Politics and Government
States, land managers still waiting for details on conservation funding under Great American Outdoors Act
Funding details promised by the Great American Outdoors Act were due Nov. 2, but state and federal land managers are still waiting for specifics of what is supposed to be a record amount of money for the Land and Water Conservation Fund and deferred maintenance projects. The Great American Outdoors Act — brokered in part […]
Posted inClimate, Energy, Environment, Growth, News, Newsletters, Outdoors, Outsider
A bold plan to protect 30% of Colorado lands and waters by 2030
Conservationists in Colorado are dreaming big. In a time of political turmoil and legislative impotence, a consortium of Colorado conservation groups is floating an audacious plan to conserve 30% of the land in the state — roughly 20 million acres — by 2030. Since statehood, the state has protected only 6 million acres. The state […]
Posted inOpinion, Opinion Columns
Opinion: Colorado water leaders are thanking Cory Gardner
Water leaders across Colorado are thanking U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner for his hard work protecting our most valuable natural resource! Water is vital to western life as we not only need access to clean drinking water, but water for agriculture, wildfire mitigation, wildlife and Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy. Much of Colorado’s water supply comes from […]