Bill · H.R. 7425· House(119-HR-7425)
Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 2/9/2026
- Last activity
- 2/9/2026 — Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Sponsored by
- Diana DeGette
- Cosponsors
- None
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
The bill, known as the Colorado Wilderness Act of 2026, designates specific lands in the State of Colorado as components of the National Wilderness Preservation System. It adds numerous areas managed by the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Forest Service, and other agencies to the existing wilderness protections. The legislation establishes guidelines for administrative provisions, including livestock grazing, military helicopter overflights, and competitive running events. Furthermore, the bill outlines specific provisions regarding water rights, water resource facilities, and access routes within the newly designated wilderness areas.
Yes· 3 of 20
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?+8
Expands the National Wilderness Preservation System significantly across multiple federal land management areas in Colorado.
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?+7
Establishes clear administrative guidelines for new wilderness areas while accommodating pre-existing rights and military needs.
Does this cut the pollution that drives climate change?+6
Designates numerous lands in Colorado as wilderness, preserving natural habitats and ecosystems.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Section 3(b) ensures that livestock grazing in the newly designated wilderness areas will continue to be administered in accordance with existing laws and guidelines, which provides stability for ranchers who rely on these public lands.
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Section 3(e) explicitly protects the ability to conduct military helicopter overflights, flight testing, and aerial navigation training exercises by the Colorado Army National Guard, supporting national defense and local military training needs.
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Section 3(f) allows the Secretary to continue authorizing competitive running events in the Redcloud Peak Wilderness Area and Handies Peak Wilderness Area, benefiting local organizers, participants, and the recreation economy.
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Section 4(c) ensures that individuals and entities with existing water resource facilities can maintain reasonable access, including motorized access where necessary, to use, operate, maintain, repair, and replace their facilities in accordance with state law.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Section 4(b)(3) prohibits the funding, assisting, authorizing, or issuing of licenses or permits for the development of any new water resource facility, including reservoirs, hydro projects, ditches, and pipelines, within the wilderness areas designated by section 2(b), which could restrict future water infrastructure development.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Environmental Protections+8Improves Public Land Management+7Reduces Carbon Emissions+6Improves Rural Development+2
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Farmers+3Good For Children+2Good For Middle Aged+2Good For Rural Residents+2Good For Veterans+2Good For Young Adults+2Good For Business Owners+1Good For Middle Class Households+1Good For Retirees+1Good For Seniors+1Good For Students+1Good For Urban Residents+1
- Governance And Ideology
- Increases Federal Power+2Improves Government Transparency+1
- Economy And Finance
- Improves Economic Growth+1Improves Small Business Support+1
- 2/9/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Natural Resources.
- Introduced in House