On Thursday, September 26th, Senator Michael Bennett hosted a press call to introduce the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act. Also known as the GORP Act, this legislation was created to protect and steward key lands in the Gunnison Basin and Gunnison County.
"The effects of climate change, drought, increased visitation and development Have put unprecedented stress on Gunnison County's economy and on its natural resources. If you spend any time in Gunnison, you know how spectacular these public lands are and how central they are to that community's way of life."
The bill came about from a working group called the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative, assembled by Gunnison County Commissioners. The group was composed of ranchers, sportsmen, conservationists, and public land stakeholders with the common goal of preserving the county's natural resources. Through vigorous community outreach, a proposal was developed that served as the basis for the GORP Act. County Commissioner Jonathan Houck says that a diverse range of opinions is necessary.
"We sit down and we have hard discussions about hard issues. We learn how to attack issues without attacking each other. And what I really appreciate is that we spent that time at kitchen tables and sitting down in coffee shops and open houses in our community. Drawing on maps, talking about our personal experiences, talking about how public lands impact our lives, our communities, our economic situation, but more than anything else, a reflection of our values.
And I really like to also thank our neighboring communities, the Ute Mountain Ute tribe and their participation was incredibly important to make sure that their desires and needs were also met, but also for them to see the bigger proposal and also hear their valuable input."
Key aspects of the act include transferring some lands into trust for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, prohibiting new mining leases in special areas, and protecting grazing rights for ranchers. Bennett says the bill has bipartisan support from six Colorado counties, the support of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, and the backing of public land users. The full text of the bill, as well as maps and other information, can be found at Bennet.senate.gov.
