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DENVER, CO – The Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee today passed bipartisan legislation sponsored by Representative Meghan Lukens to support outdoor recreation and rural economies.
“For communities like mine, outdoor recreation during every season is the heart of our economy, local businesses and workforce,” said Rep. Meghan Lukens, D-Steamboat Springs. “To bolster communities that rely on outdoor recreation as an economic driver, this bill improves collaboration between conservation efforts, agriculture, private landowners and other public land users to maximize our state’s outdoor recreation potential. We’re taking steps now to prioritize outdoor recreation, wildlife, and our natural resources so that future generations can enjoy them and rely on them as we do.”
HB26-1008 is also sponsored by Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and passed committee by 9-4. Colorado’s lands support a $65.8 billion outdoor recreation economy, and this bill directs stewards of our lands to collaborate with stakeholders from all different land-use backgrounds, from wildlife and natural resource advocates to agricultural communities and private landowners. Specifically, this bill formalizes Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s (CPW) role in developing Colorado’s outdoors strategy to support conservation, outdoor recreation, and climate resilience in the state.
As the lead coordinator, CPW will ensure outdoor recreation needs are well-represented in its leadership and increase coordination to anticipate and respond to potential conflicts. The strategy prioritizes integrating data and metrics from existing efforts, partnering with local and federal agencies, and shoring up state capacity in this area.
The goal of HB26-1008 is to proactively streamline planning and management so that the state can continue to provide high-quality experiences to all outdoor users. CPW manages 43 state parks and over 350 wildlife areas, covering roughly 900,000 acres in Colorado.