What is Hidden Gems?
The Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal is a carefully-crafted, citizen-generated plan to grant the highest protection in the land to some of our state’s most precious and threatened public and wildlife lands. Map of the entire proposal.
Anatomy of a Wilderness Proposal - Stakeholder engagement.
Hidden Gems by the numbers:
- 342,000 acres
- 14 new stand alone Wilderness Areas and 26 additions to existing Wilderness Areas
- Spanning two national forests adjacent BLM lands
- Primarily in four counties – Pitkin, Eagle, Gunnison and Summit.
Economic Benefits of Wilderness
What’s allowed in Wilderness:
| - Hunting |
- Hiking |
| - Fishing |
- Backpacking |
| - Camping |
- Kayaking/rafting |
| - Horseback riding |
- Photography |
| - Livestock grazing |
- Education |
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- Rock climbing
- Wheelchair access (motorized and mechanized allowed) for mobility impaired persons
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- Scientific research
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What’s not allowed:
- New mining
- Gas and oil drilling (except where leases exist)
- Logging
- Motorized travel, including snowmobiles, ATVs, motorcycles
- Mechanized travel, including mountain bikes and hang gliders
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Polis Releases Draft Legislation
Aspen Times
Summit County Voice
Aspen Daily News
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Forest Supervisor Supports Polis on Gems
Vail Daily, August 19, 2010 (story)
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Aspen SkiCo Endorses the Hidden Gems Aspen Daily News, June 22, 2010 (story) |
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Quiet winter recreationalists outspend snowmobilers 3 to 1. Aspen Daily News, June 14, 2010 (story)
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Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Op-ed in support of Hidden Gems. Aspen Time, June 8, 2010 (story)
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Motorized groups continue to make misleading statements about Hidden Gems. Summit County Voice, June 4, 2010 (story)
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Back-country Hunter supports wilderness - Good for big game. Summit Daily News, May 25, 2010 (story)
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Poll Shows Strong Support for Hidden Gems. Aspen Daily News, April 14, 2010 (story)
Click for more info
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Half of Hidden Gems Proposal sent to Washington KBUT Community Radio, April 19, 2010
Click for more info
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Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal for Summit and Eagle Counties presented to Congress. Summit Daily News, April 6, 2010 (story)
Click for more info
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Gems Campaign collaborating with former opponents.
Aspen Daily News Feb 27, 2010
click here for article
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Wildernes generates increased revenues for the Forest Service: Money to fund staffing and maintence. Aspen Times, Feb. 27
click here for article
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Grand Valley Citizens Alliance endorses the Hidden Gems: Aspen Times Feb. 15, 2010 (more)
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How ORV use contributes to the red dust on Colorado's Snow: LTE, Aspen Times. Jan. 22 (more)
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2 Pitken County Ranchers Voice Support for Wilderness:
Aspen Daily News Jan, 19 - "Gems campaign gains ranchers' support . ." (more)
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Aspen Public Radio interview: Hidden Gems and RFMBA, Nov. 10, 2009 click here
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Confessions of an off-road outlaw:High County News, Nov. 6, 2009 click here
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Rep. Polis:With Wilderness designation, process matters Summit Daily, Nov. 4, 2009 click here
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A voice from the sky: Bruce Gordon of EcoFlight provides a unique perspective on our landscape
Aspen Daily News, Oct. 26, 2009 (more)
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Radio Interview on the wilderness debate: KDNK, Oct. 8, 2009
click here to listen
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.jpg "Adjusted map of the Hidden Gems Thompson Creek Proposal Area following input from local ranchers")