What does Preamble of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill, formally titled 'A BILL To designate certain special management areas, wildlife conservation areas, protection areas, recreation areas, wilderness areas, and a scientific research and education area in the State of Colorado, and for other purposes,' aims to designate specific areas in Colorado. The bill proposes designations including special management areas, wildlife conservation areas, protection areas, recreation areas, wilderness areas, and a scientific research and education area.

What does SHORT TITLE. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This bill is formally titled the Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025.

What does DEFINITIONS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section defines terms used throughout the Act. “Collaboratively developed” refers to projects developed through a transparent and nonexclusive process, or meeting requirements for a resource advisory committee. “County” is specifically defined as Gunnison County, Colorado. “Covered area” includes designated Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, Recreation Management Areas, and Scientific Research and Education Areas. “Decommission” means reestablishing native vegetation, restoring ecological processes, blocking vehicular traffic, and developing a monitoring plan. “Ecological integrity” and “Restore” are defined by reference to section 219.19 of title 36, Code of Federal Regulations. The definitions of “off-highway vehicle” and “over-snow vehicle” vary depending on whether the land is managed by the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management. Several terms, such as “Protection Area,” “Recreation Management Area,” and “Special Management Area,” are defined by reference to sections 3, 4, 5, and 6 of the Act. “State” is defined as the State of Colorado. “Wildland-urban interface” is defined as land within 1/4 mile of the interface and intermix areas mapped in a specific Department of Agriculture document.

What does DESIGNATION OF SPECIAL MANAGEMENT AREAS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates several Special Management Areas (SMAs) within a county, including the American Flag SMA (approximately 36,171 acres), Beckwiths SMA (approximately 24,031 acres), Clear Fork SMA (approximately 37,998 acres), McIntosh Mountain SMA (approximately 22,497 acres), North Poverty Gulch SMA (approximately 5,476 acres), Pilot Knob SMA (approximately 16,973 acres), Signal Peak SMA (approximately 28,345 acres), Union Park SMA (approximately 22,483 acres), and Whetstone Headwaters SMA (approximately 20,676 acres). These SMAs are managed by either the Forest Service or the Bureau of Land Management, and their purpose is to conserve, protect, and enhance natural, scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, recreation, and wildlife resources. The Secretary is responsible for managing the SMAs in a manner that conserves resources and aligns with this Act and other applicable laws. Off-highway vehicle and bicycle use within the SMAs is generally restricted to designated roads, trails, and areas existing as of the date of enactment, except for administrative purposes, emergencies, or as authorized under specific clauses. Within three years of enactment, the Secretary must adopt a winter travel management plan for any portion of an SMA lacking one, and may permit over-snow vehicle use during that period. The designation of these SMAs does not preclude the potential development of specific trails, including the 'Big Grassy Trail' within the American Flag SMA, and various trails within the Beckwiths, McIntosh Mountain, Signal Peak, and Whetstone Headwaters SMAs.

What does DESIGNATION OF WILDLIFE CONSERVATION AREAS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates eight Wildlife Conservation Areas: Cabin Creek, Flat Top, Lake Gulch and Cebolla Creek, Matchless, Munsey Creek, Pinnacles, Powderhorn, and Sawtooth. These areas are located in the County and Saguache County, Colorado, and are managed by the Bureau of Land Management and the Forest Service. The designated areas range in size from approximately 3,281 acres to 50,535 acres. The purposes of these areas are to conserve, protect, enhance, and restore wildlife and wildlife habitat, as well as natural, scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, and recreation resources. The Secretary is directed to manage these areas in accordance with this Act and other applicable laws, furthering the stated purposes. Off-highway vehicle and bicycle use is generally permitted only on designated roads, trails, and areas. Exceptions to this restriction exist for administrative purposes, emergencies, and areas without a winter travel management plan. The development of certain proposed trails, including the Gunnison to Crested Butte Trail, Crested Butte to Carbondale Trail, Tenderfoot Mountain to Bambi's Trail, and Big Loop Trail, is not affected by this section.

What does DESIGNATION OF PROTECTION AREAS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates four protection areas: the Castle Protection Area (6,390 acres), the Deer Creek Protection Area (3,136 acres), the Granite Basin Protection Area (9,666 acres), and the South Poverty Gulch Protection Area (1,350 acres). These areas are managed by the Forest Service and, in some cases, the Bureau of Land Management. The purposes of the Protection Areas are to protect their natural character and conserve natural, scenic, scientific, cultural, watershed, recreation, and wildlife resources. The Secretary is responsible for managing the Protection Areas, ensuring actions align with the stated purposes and applicable laws. Off-highway vehicle use is generally prohibited, except for administrative purposes or emergencies. The Secretary may permit over-snow vehicle use in the Deer Creek Protection Area on designated roads, trails, and areas. Bicycle use is permitted only on designated roads and trails, for administrative purposes, or in emergencies. The designation does not prevent potential development of specific trails: the Deer Creek to Brush Creek Connector Trail, the Eccher Exit Trail, and the Lower Loop Trail Extension.

What does DESIGNATION OF RECREATION MANAGEMENT AREAS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates two Recreation Management Areas (RMAs) within the County: the Double Top RMA (approximately 14,734 acres) and the Horse Ranch Park RMA (approximately 3,513 acres), both managed by the Forest Service. The purposes of these RMAs are to manage recreation resources, conserve natural and wildlife resources, and enhance them for present and future generations. The Secretary is directed to manage the RMAs in accordance with this Act and other applicable laws, ensuring uses further the stated purposes. Off-highway vehicle (OHV) and bicycle use in the Double Top RMA is generally permitted only on roads and trails designated at the time of enactment, with exceptions for administrative and emergency purposes, including support for the Grand Traverse skiing event. OHV use in the Horse Ranch Park RMA is generally prohibited, except for over-snow vehicles on designated roads, trails, and areas, or for administrative/emergency purposes. Bicycle use is also restricted and may be permitted on designated areas or for administrative/emergency needs. The bill does not affect the potential development of trails, including the Crested Butte to Paonia Trail, Crested Butte to Carbondale Trail, and Dark Canyon Loop Trail, within the Horse Ranch Park RMA.

What does DESIGNATION OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAIN SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH AND of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section designates approximately 12,250 acres of Federal land managed by the Forest Service as the 'Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area'. The purposes of the area include encouraging scientific research and education, providing opportunities for emerging research techniques, and conserving natural resources. The Secretary is responsible for managing the area in a manner that furthers these purposes and complies with applicable laws. The Secretary determines which uses are permitted, ensuring they align with the stated purposes. Off-highway vehicle use is restricted to designated roads on the date of enactment. Bicycle use is permitted on roads and trails designated by the Secretary, both on and after the date of enactment, contingent on consistency with the area's purposes. The Rocky Mountain Biological Laboratory's authority to conduct research and education activities is not limited by this designation.

What does DESIGNATION OF WILDERNESS. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to designate several additions to existing wilderness areas. New wilderness areas are designated, including the Matchless Wilderness, East Cement Wilderness, Star Peak Wilderness, and Powderhorn Wilderness. Existing wilderness areas, such as the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness, West Elk Wilderness, and Uncompahgre Wilderness, are expanded with additions. The West Elk Wilderness boundary is modified to exclude approximately 15 acres. Federal land excluded from the West Elk Wilderness boundary is withdrawn from entry, appropriation, disposal, mining, and mineral leasing. Land within the Powderhorn Wilderness Study Area that was not designated as wilderness is determined to have been adequately studied and is no longer subject to certain provisions of the Federal Land Policy and Management Act. The Secretary is authorized to control fire, insects, and diseases within the wilderness areas.

What does NORTH FORK VALLEY WATERSHED. of Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025 do?

This section withdraws federal land in Delta County, Colorado, from mineral leasing laws related to oil and gas, subject to valid existing rights. The Secretary of the Interior can authorize the use or destruction of methane gas leaking from coal mines, both active and abandoned, under certain conditions. Federal land in Delta County, Colorado, is subject to a no surface occupancy restriction for oil and gas activities, also subject to valid existing rights. The Secretary of the Interior may transfer a special recreation use permit for motorized boats in the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness Area, if the use was established before the Wilderness Area's designation. The transfer of the motorized boat permit is contingent on the public's right to use the Gunnison River boat ramp at Gunnison Forks Day Use Area being acquired by a federal, state, or local government, and fees being reasonable.

Back to bills

Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025

Last updated: 5/15/2025 · Introduced: 5/15/2025

Author: Michael Bennet (D-CO)

TL;DR (AI)

This bill designates several new Special Management Areas, Wildlife Conservation Areas, Protection Areas, and Recreation Management Areas in Colorado, establishing specific management guidelines for resource conservation, recreation, and wildlife habitat.
The bill expands existing wilderness areas and designates new wilderness areas within Colorado, restricting activities like mining and mineral leasing while allowing for fire, insect, and disease control.
Federal land in Delta County is withdrawn from oil and gas mineral leasing and subject to a no surface occupancy restriction, with exceptions for existing rights and methane gas utilization.
Approximately 19,080 acres of land owned by the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe will be taken into trust, subject to limitations on gaming activities and protections for existing County rights-of-way.
The bill establishes general provisions for designated areas, including restrictions on road construction, prohibitions on commercial timber harvesting, and protections for existing water rights and tribal treaty rights.

119th Congressin committeeOfficial page

Verified Votes

No verified votes yet.

Community Votes

No community votes yet. Be the first!

Voting as guest · Sign in for verified votes

Other Sections

Includes provisions on preamble, short title., and 10 more.

12 sections

Click "Show details" to explore individual sections. Use the community vote above or visit All Sections to vote per section.

Read official text

Want the full experience?

Create a free account to cast verified votes on each section, get a personalized summary, and track your voting history.

Create Free Account