Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026
Rep. DeGette Introduces Bill to Create Dozens of New Wilderness Areas Across Colorado
The Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026 is currently in the early stages of the legislative process. It was recently introduced and sent to the House Committee on Natural Resources for review. The bill is actively moving, but no further hearings or votes have been scheduled at this time.
Legislative Progress
This bill has been introduced in many past sessions without becoming law. It faces pushback from those who prefer the land be used for energy or commercial development.
Key Points
Impact Analysis
Personal Impact
Ranchers who currently graze livestock on these lands can keep doing so under existing Wilderness Act provisions. However, the wilderness designation blocks any new water infrastructure like wells, ditches, or reservoirs on these lands, which could limit future ranching expansion. Existing water facilities can still be maintained and repaired.
“Grazing of livestock in wilderness areas designated by this Act shall be administered in accordance with the provisions of section 4(d)(4) of the Wilderness Act (16 U.S.C. 1133(d)(4))”
State Impacts
Milestones
Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
Introduced in House
The bill was officially filed and given a number. It now enters the legislative queue.
Votes
No votes have been recorded for this legislation yet.
Related News
5 articlesTwentieth time's a charm? Rep. Diana DeGette reintroduces massive Colorado wilderness bill
Rep. Diana DeGette has once again introduced the Colorado Wilderness Act, a bill that would designate more than 720,000 acres across 36 areas as protected wilderness. The 2026 version includes the Dolores River Canyon and Little Book Cliffs, while allowing for grazing and military training.
DeGette reintroduces Colorado Wilderness Act to protect 720,000 acres
The landmark legislation, first proposed in 1999, aims to provide the highest level of federal protection to dozens of areas in Colorado. DeGette says the bill is a necessary response to potential public land sell-offs and will preserve the state's natural heritage for future generations.
Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026: What's in the bill to protect 36 new areas?
A deep dive into H.R. 7425, which would turn hundreds of thousands of acres into official wilderness. The bill includes specific carve-outs for existing uses like military helicopter training and competitive races, aiming to build a broader coalition of support than previous versions.
Source Information
Document Type
Congressional Bill
Official Title
Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026
Data Sources
Sponsor
Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.