Support new wilderness in the Central Mountains of Colorado

Senator Udall and Representative Polis are both working to protect special public lands in Central Colorado with a Wilderness designation. Rep. Polis has introduced a bill and Sen. Udall is considering a bill.

The most important thing you can do to ensure these lands get the protection they deserve is to submit a comment on Sen. Udall's website or write a letter to the editor.

Click here to submit a comment on Sen. Udall's Wilderness Proposal

Watch video of Sen. Udall announce plans to designate new wilderness.

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What is Sen. Udall's Central Mountains Outdoor Heritage Proposal?

U.S. Senator Mark Udall is proposing to protect nearly 240,000 acres in the Central Rockies of Colorado with wilderness and similar designations. These lands are some of Colorado’s most precious, ecologically important public lands. His Central Mountains Outdoor Heritage Proposal, which he is discussing with mountain communities, is a bold vision that will add to our nation’s wilderness legacy and support Colorado’s recreation- and agriculture-based economies.

Sen. Udall's wilderness proposal by the numbers:

235,773 acres
12 new stand alone areas and 17 additions to existing Wilderness Areas
Includes national forest and adjacent BLM lands
Spans three counties – Pitkin, Eagle and Summit.

Economic Benefits of Wilderness

What’s allowed in Wilderness:
- Hunting - Hiking
- Fishing     - Backpacking
- Camping   - Skiing
- Photography     - Education
- Rock climbing   - Scientific research
- Kayaking/rafting   - Livestock grazing
- Wheelchair access (motorized and mechanized allowed) for
mobility impaired persons

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
- Click here for detailed report from the Backcounty Hunters on the impacts of motorized travel to land and wildlife

	Vail Resorts endorses Udall's proposal Click for article
	Sen. Udall announces wilderness proposal Click here to submit a comment
	Business owners lobby Tipton to work on Wilderness Click for article
	Senator Bennet says he's ready to start working on 3rd district Gems legislation Click for article
	Denver Post Op-ed on Polis's Wilderness Bill Click for article
	Jared Polis reintroduces wilderness bill Click for article Click image for a video of the event
	Gunnison County Endorses the Hidden Gems Click for article
	Pitkin County Unanimously Endorses Gems Click for article Listen to public comments from the meeting
	EXTRA EXTRA!! READ ALL ABOUT IT Polis Introduces Wilderness Bill! Read the Bill
	Pitkin County prepares support for Hidden Gems News Story Read the proposal
	Radio Series on Hidden Gems KDNK Community Radio
	Polis Releases Draft Legislation Aspen Times Summit County Voice Aspen Daily News
	Forest Supervisor Supports Polis on Gems Vail Daily, August 19, 2010 (story)
	Aspen SkiCo Endorses the Hidden Gems Aspen Daily News, June 22, 2010 (story)
	Quiet winter recreationalists outspend snowmobilers 3 to 1. Aspen Daily News, June 14, 2010 (story)
	Aspen Center for Environmental Studies Op-ed in support of Hidden Gems. Aspen Time, June 8, 2010 (story)
	Motorized groups continue to make misleading statements about Hidden Gems. Summit County Voice, June 4, 2010 (story)
	Back-country Hunter supports wilderness - Good for big game. Summit Daily News, May 25, 2010 (story)
	Poll Shows Strong Support for Hidden Gems. Aspen Daily News, April 14, 2010 (story) Click for more info
	Half of Hidden Gems Proposal sent to Washington KBUT Community Radio, April 19, 2010 Click for more info
	Hidden Gems Wilderness Proposal for Summit and Eagle Counties presented to Congress. Summit Daily News, April 6, 2010 (story) Click for more info
	Gems Campaign collaborating with former opponents. Aspen Daily News Feb 27, 2010 click here for article
	Wildernes generates increased revenues for the Forest Service: Money to fund staffing and maintence. Aspen Times, Feb. 27 click here for article
	Grand Valley Citizens Alliance endorses the Hidden Gems: Aspen Times Feb. 15, 2010 (more)
	How ORV use contributes to the red dust on Colorado's Snow: LTE, Aspen Times. Jan. 22 (more)
	2 Pitken County Ranchers Voice Support for Wilderness: Aspen Daily News Jan, 19 - "Gems campaign gains ranchers' support . ." (more)
	Aspen Public Radio interview: Hidden Gems and RFMBA, Nov. 10, 2009 click here
	Confessions of an off-road outlaw:High County News, Nov. 6, 2009 click here
	Rep. Polis:With Wilderness designation, process matters Summit Daily, Nov. 4, 2009 click here
	A voice from the sky: Bruce Gordon of EcoFlight provides a unique perspective on our landscape Aspen Daily News, Oct. 26, 2009 (more)
	Radio Interview on the wilderness debate: KDNK, Oct. 8, 2009 click here to listen