Access Fund Urges Support for Colorado Wilderness Proposals

Today the Access Fund, the national advocacy organization that keeps US climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment, announced its support for two Colorado wilderness proposals: Congressman John Salazar’s San Juan Wilderness Act that would protect over 61,000 acres in San Juan, Ouray, and San Miguel Counties (also sponsored by Senators Mark Udall and Michael Bennet), and Congressman Jared Polis’s Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act proposal to designate 90,000 acres of public land in Summit and Eagle Counties as wilderness and special protection areas. Both proposed laws protect recreational access and respect private property rights.

These two bills (S. 2762/H.R. 3914 and H.R. 6280) are responsible measures that appropriately balance recreational access with conservation, and have received considerable vetting from climbers and Access Fund partners in the recreation and conservation communities. Climbers appreciate opportunities for recreation in wild backcountry locations in the San Juan Mountains and Eagle and Summit Counties and know how important it is to protect these unique landscapes. These bills will provide permanent protection for some of Colorado’s most renowned views and mountains, including the slopes of Mt. Sneffels, Wilson Peak, and Hoosier Ridge. The Access Fund urges all members of Colorado’s congressional delegation to support these vital conservation efforts and help pass this legislation.

“The Access Fund is happy to join with recreation and conservation groups across the state to support these public land conservation initiatives that preserve backcountry climbing and recreation opportunities,” says Access Fund’s Executive Director Brady Robinson. “We support all types of climbing experiences, from the remote wilderness peaks to urban crags and bouldering areas. The opportunity to climb in protected wilderness areas is a key value that many climbers cherish. We hope our Colorado membership will contact their federal legislators in support of these proposals.”

The Access Fund urges all Colorado residents to contact their congressional representatives with their support for the San Juan Wilderness Act and the Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act. You can find your US Senators and Representatives by entering your zip code here: www.accessfund.org/elected_officials.

For more information:

San Juan Mountains Wilderness Act
http://markudall.senate.gov/?p=press_release&id=322
http://www.house.gov/list/press/co03_salazar/PR_102209.html

Eagle and Summit County Wilderness Preservation Act Proposal
http://polis.house.gov/Wilderness/

About the Access Fund
Since 1991, the Access Fund has been the only national advocacy organization that keeps climbing areas open and conserves the climbing environment. The Access Fund supports and represents over 2.3 million climbers nationwide in all forms of climbing: rock climbing, ice climbing, mountaineering, and bouldering. Five core programs support the mission on national and local levels: climbing management policy, stewardship and conservation, local support and mobilization, land acquisition and protection, and education. For more information visit www.accessfund.org.