Conservation groups back Polis wilderness plan for Eagle, Summit counties

Environmental groups Friday praised the renewed efforts of U.S. Rep. Jared Polis, D-Boulder, to protect more than 160,000 acres of public lands in Eagle and Summit counties as either wilderness or special management areas. The Wilderness Society, Colorado Environmental Coalition, Wilderness Workshop and Colorado Mountain Club – backers of the original Hidden Gems wilderness proposal – issued a statement of support after Polis on Friday announced plans to reintroduce his Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act.

Wilderness backers cite local support; hopeful Congress will back plans

Proponents of expanding wilderness protections on public lands in the heart of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains have been buoyed by local support and remain hopeful they’ll see passage of at least one new wilderness bill despite the changing congressional landscape.

Pitkin County backs portion of Hidden Gems wilderness plan

The Pitkin County Commissioners Wednesday unanimously voted to support the Hidden Gems wilderness proposal, which would designate nearly 63,000 acres of public lands in Pitkin County as wilderness area. That designation limits mechanized travel.

According to the Aspen Times, the…

Polis presents draft wilderness bill for public consumption

U.S. Congressman Jared Polis, whose sprawling district includes Boulder but also some of the most intensely utilized national forest land in the state, this week released a discussion draft of legislation to create new wilderness areas in Eagle and Summit…

Local politicians, conservationists praise Polis draft wilderness plan

Local politicians and statewide environmental groups today hailed a draft wilderness proposal being circulated by U.S. Rep. Jared Polis called the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act.

Vail tables Hidden Gems resolution when water issues arise

VAIL – The Vail Town Council Tuesday night tabled a resolution of support for the controversial Hidden Gems wilderness proposal when representatives of a major Western Slope water district voiced 11th-hour opposition to the plan being weighed by U.S.…

DeGette: less wheels in wilderness, more around ski areas

U.S. Rep. Diana DeGette, D-Denver, will be in Glenwood Springs Tuesday morning for a special meeting of the Garfield County commissioners in which she’ll try to muster support for her version of wilderness legislation that she’s been trying to…

Hidden Gems wilderness debate heats up in mountain towns

Nothing gets the hackles up in mountain towns quite as quickly these days as broaching the Hidden Gems wilderness proposal. Just bringing up the concept is enough to turn a cocktail party into a tea party on wheels. Supporters of conserving 342,000 acres of public lands as wilderness regularly clash with off-road enthusiasts who insist the national forest must remain open to mechanized travel.

Where wilderness is concerned, the Buck apparently stops in Weld County

Weld County district attorney and Republican U.S. Senate candidate Ken Buck sat down with former Colorado Independent reporter Ernest Luning (now with the Colorado Statesman) and Statesman editor and publisher Jody Hope Strogoff for a wide-ranging interview that posted…

Hidden Gems wilderness showdown pits snowmobilers against skiers

So who spends more when they’re out recreating in the woods, Carhartt-clad “sled-necks” or Lycra-encased cross-country skiers?

According to one study being used to back the controversial Hidden Gems wilderness proposal, skinny skiers (who are allowed to flit about in…