- Colorado- May 5, 2012, Ken Salazar, Hickenlooper greenlight Denver-area greenway plan
- Colorado- April 3, 2012, Tom Chapman regains ownership of wilderness parcels he sold in 2006
- Colorado, March 12, 2012, Udall Measure Secures Land and Water Conservation Program through 2022 Udall has Fought to Ensure Stable Support for LWCF to Preserve Recreation Opportunities, Protect Our Nation's Natural Treasures
- Colorado- March 8, 2012, Udall Measure Secures Land and Water Conservation Program through 2022
- CO- December 20, 2011, Parks breathe life, and jobs, into cities
LWCF Funded Units in Colorado
| Federal Program | |
| Arapaho NF | |
| Arapaho NRA | |
| Arkansas River SRMA | |
| Baca Ranch/NWR | |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP |
|
| Blanca Wildlife Habitat Area |
|
| Canyons of the Ancients NM |
|
| Colorado Canyons NCA | |
| CO River/Ruby Canyon NCA |
|
| Comanche Nat Grassland |
|
| Cross Mountain NCA | |
| Garden Park Fossil Area | |
| Golden Bair Ranch | |
| Grand Mesa Slopes SMA | |
| Great Sand Dunes NP | |
| Gunnison Basin ACEC | |
| Gunnison Gorge NCA | |
| Gunnison NF | |
| Lake Fork of Gunnison SMA |
|
| McIntire Spring/Conejos River |
|
| Mesa Verde NP | |
| Perins Peak WHA | |
| Powderhorn WSA | |
| Rio Grande NF | |
| Rocky Mountain NP | |
| Roosevelt NF | |
| Ruby Mountain | |
| Sand Creek Massacre NHS |
|
| San Miguel River | |
| Two Ponds NWR | |
| Unaweep/Tabeguache NSB |
|
| Uncompahgre/San Juan NF |
|
| Upper Huerfano River EMA |
|
| White River NF | |
| Approximate Federal Total |
$149,000,000 |
| State Program | |
| Approximate Total Stateside Grants |
$57,000,000 |
| Approximate Total Federal and State | $206,000,000 |
Download the Colorado Factsheet
Download the LWCF Support Letter from Mayors
Thank You Letter- Senator Mark Udall- Cosponsorship S. 1265, December 2011
Thank You Letter- Senator Bennet- Cosponsorship S. 1265, December 2011
Thank You Letter- Sportsmen- Senator Bennet-Cosponsorship S. 1265, December 2011
Thank You Letter-Sportsmen-Senator Udall-Cosponsorship S. 1265, December 2011
LWCF Success in Colorado
The Land and Water Conservation Fund has helped protect some of Colorado’s most treasured places. Colorado has received approximately $206 million over the past four decades, protecting places such as the Great Sand Dunes National Park and the Arapaho National Forest.
Uncompahgre National Forest – Ophir Valley
Located in the heart of southwestern Colorado’s San Juan Mountains, the Ophir Valley project area is part of the nationally acclaimed 236-mile San Juan Skyway Scenic Byway and brings visitors into a compact valley ringed by 13,000 foot peaks and serrated ridge lines. The Valley offers an abundance of recreational opportunities for residents and visitors, including hiking, camping, mountain biking, and fishing. In addition, the Valley supports habitat for federally listed endangered, threatened, and other sensitive species. The Valley is increasingly at risk of being developed, potentially creating significant management issues for the USFS, fragmenting wildlife habitat, and spoiling the scenic splendor and recreational opportunities so important to residents and visitors.
Economic Benefits
Active outdoor recreation is an important part of the Colorado economy. The Outdoor Industry Association has found that active outdoor recreation contributes over $10 billion annually to Colorado’s economy, supports 107,000 jobs across the state, generates nearly $500 million in annual state tax revenue and produces $7.6 billion annually in retail sales and services across Colorado - accounting for 4 percent of gross state product. Further, the U.S. Census Bureau reports that each year over 2.2 million people participate in hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching in Colorado, contributing $3.0 billion to the state economy. With full LWCF funding, Colorado’s outdoor recreation economy will stay strong and continue to create sustainable long-term economic growth.
Download "The Active Outdoor Recreation Economy Report for Colorado"