COLORADO — The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE Act) is a wide-reaching piece of legislation that will improve the lives of outdoor enthusiasts while expanding access to America's public lands and waters.
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COLORADO — The Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE Act) is a wide-reaching piece of legislation that will improve the lives of outdoor enthusiasts while expanding access to America's public lands and waters.
It was supported by over 100 outdoor organizations, including advocates for backpacking, hunting, fishing, horseback riding, recreational boating, camping, rock and more. The legislation passed both the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives and awaits President Joe Biden’s signature.
The bill, a testament to bipartisan cooperation, has garnered support from both sides of the aisle. It was sponsored by U.S. House Republican Bruce Westerman, R-AR-4, and received the backing of Colorado Senators, Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper.
Bennet said in a statement, "The bipartisan Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences or EXPLORE Act was unanimously approved by the Senate after being passed by the House earlier this year. It now heads to President Joe Biden to be signed into law.
“The EXPLORE Act includes a variety of measures aimed at protecting certain recreational uses of federally owned public lands, simplifying permitting procedures for federal land management and ensuring equal access for people with disabilities, military veterans and young people."
Colorado, with 59 mountain peaks over 14,000 feet and, by some estimates, over 600 13,000-foot peaks, is an outdoor mecca. According to a 2022 Bureau of Economic Analysis study, outdoor recreation contributes about 3 percent of the state's gross domestic product.
In November, Colorado State University and consulting firms Southwick Associates and Teel and Bruyere, reported that economic output related to outdoor recreation by Colorado residents contributed $36.5 billion to the state's GDP and $11.2 billion in tax revenue in 2023. Over 400,000 jobs in Colorado are outdoor-related, equal to 12% of the state's labor force.
Locally, Great Sand Dunes reported visitation to the park increased by 3.8% in 2023 over the prior year to 493,428.
According to economic data compiled by the National Park Service, visitors spent an estimated $32.5 million in the San Luis Valley while visiting the park in 2022. These expenditures supported 408 jobs, $10.7 million in labor income, $18.7 million in value-added, and $36 million in economic output in local economies. Statewide, National Parks in Colorado receive almost eight million visitors annually.
Noting the economic impact of the legislation, U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper said in a statement, “We’re making it easier for our outdoor rec businesses and outfitters to thrive while improving access to our public lands.”
Colorado Representative Joe Neguse D-C0-2 said, "It's as simple as this — in Colorado, the preservation of our public lands and the strength of our outdoor recreation economy is integral to the spirit of our state but to the success of our people. I am proud to see these bills through to the finish line — and even more excited for the ways in which they will deliver for our communities."
“The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is thrilled the House of Representatives understands the physical, mental, and economic importance of outdoor recreation on our public lands, evidenced by the passage of the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act," said Todd Keller, Director of Government Affairs, International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA).
"The mountain bike community is specifically excited about the Biking on Long Distance Trails (BOLT) Act that has been included within the text of the underlying bill. The BOLT Act will identify at least 10 existing long-distance bike trails no less than 80 miles in length and identify at least 10 areas where there is an opportunity to develop or complete such trails. The bill will also direct the Department of Interior to publish and distribute maps, install signage, and distribute promotional materials."
The BOLT Act has origins dating back to 2018 when it first proposed the idea of long-distance bike trails to the U.S. Department of the Interior. The act was first introduced in Congress in 2021.
When the EXPLORE Act passed the U.S House of Representatives in April, House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR) who sponsored the bill said, "Today, the Expanding Public Lands Outdoor Recreation Experiences (EXPLORE) Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support.
"Access to America's beautiful public lands and waters is part of what makes our country the greatest nation on earth. These incredible resources should be shared by all Americans, and expanding access and recreation opportunities is the kind of bipartisan work that we're here in Congress to do. As an avid outdoorsman, I'm proud to champion the EXPLORE Act and see it pass out of the House Today."
The legislation will:
The legislation passed the House by an unrecorded voice vote and individual votes are unknown. A request for comment from Representative Lauren Boebert was not received by press time.
