A bill currently pending in Congress could designate the vast backcountry of Rocky Mountain National Park - 249,339 acres - as wilderness, as well as provide for the addition of 4,195 acres to the Indian Peaks Wilderness. Senator Ken Salazar (D-CO) and Congressman Mark Udall (D-CO) reintroduced legislation for Rocky Mountain Park Wilderness and Indian Peaks Wilderness expansion, on March 9, 2006.
Background
Much of Rocky Mountain National Park was recommended for wilderness protection by the National Park Service in the early 1970s and, for the past 30 years, has been managed to preserve its wilderness characteristics. While wilderness legislation for the Park has been introduced in the past seven congresses, progress in passing a bill has been stalled. However, in the summer of 2005, at public hearings in the gateway communities of Grand Lake and Estes Park, citizens overwhelmingly championed wilderness protection for the Park.
The Town of Grand Lake, the Town of Estes Park, and Grand and Larimer Counties have all passed various resolutions supporting the designation. The groundswell of support from local citizens, local government, and the National Park Service may help secure wilderness protection for the Park in perpetuity.
Rocky Mountain National Park is home to one of Colorado’s most accessible 14,000-foot peaks and miles of gorgeous backcountry terrain, making it a popular destination for visitors from around the world. Many come to experience the awe-inspiring views from the top of Trail Ridge Road, while others seek solitude in the thick pine forests. Supporting a healthy tourism economy, the Park’s wild lands are as invaluable to the gateway towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake as they are to future generations of park visitors.
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