Governor John Hickenlooper signed Colorado’s Public Lands Day bill Tuesday, which will establish the third Saturday in May as a holiday to celebrate the state’s public land.
The bill’s summary states that it intends to recognize “the significant contributions that national, state, and local public lands within Colorado make to wildlife, recreation, the economy, and to Coloradans’ quality of life.”
The Public Lands Day bill is the first of its kind, and it repudiates recent efforts in Colorado and across the West to seize, privatize, or sell off public lands.
“Public lands are a priceless component of our Colorado identity, and it’s heartening to see our elected representatives recognizing how important public lands are to Colorado’s way of life,” said Nathan Fey, director of Colorado’s River Stewardship Program and member of Outdoor Alliance Colorado, a regional coalition of outdoor recreation advocacy groups in the state.
In Colorado, outdoor recreation generates $13.2 billion dollars in consumer spending, supporting 125,000 jobs. “A poll we released last fall showed that more than 80 percent of Coloradans believe public lands have a positive impact on our quality of life, our economy, and opportunities for hunting, fishing and outdoor recreation in our state,” said Cailin O’Brien-Feeney, local recreation advocacy manager for Outdoor Industry Association. “It’s great to see our elected officials honor those widely held sentiments by creating a day to celebrate our rich public lands heritage.”
Jason Bertolacci, Colorado and Wyoming region director for International Mountain Bicycling Association, said: “Outdoor Alliance Colorado is grateful for the bill’s sponsors and the hard work of many supporters to ensure the passage of this legislation.”
“Colorado has some of the most inspiring public lands in the U.S., and the state has been a leader in protecting and celebrating outdoor experiences. The Public Lands Day bill is a clear sign that Colorado values and wants to safeguard its incredible natural resources,” said Maria Millard, policy director for the American Alpine Club, which is a member of Outdoor Alliance Colorado.
The bill was warmly received in the outdoor industry, which is now pushing Congress to tally the industry’s contribution to the gross national product through bills backed by Outdoor Industry Association, which is based in Boulder, Colo.
“We here at Salewa North America (Salewa, Dynafit, Wild Country and Pomoca) strongly urge government leadership to protect our public lands,” said Steve Kropf, sales and marketing director, Salewa North America. “Coloradans and visitors should have access to hike, bike, ski, camp and enjoy all that our great state has to offer, without threat of development and other issues that privatization creates. Colorado is special because of its access to the outdoors and public spaces and Coloradans lead healthier, more fulfilling lives as a result. Furthermore, these spaces draw countless visitors, keeping our economy strong throughout the state.”
Executives with Big Agnes, Yeti Cycles and SRAM also lauded passage of the bill.
“We’re based in Golden because we can easily access the trails and ride every day,” said Yeti Cycles President, Chris Conroy. “Some of the best and closest trails to our headquarters are on public land, and having that sort of access not only helps keep great employees, it gives our customers great places to ride and helps spur innovation.”
Chicago-based SRAM located 120 employees in Colorado Springs thanks in part to its access to the outdoors, noted Jason West, VP of Aftermarket at SRAM.
