The finalized Colorado roadless rule promises to sustain Colorado’s renowned outdoor traditions and most important fish and wildlife habitat for generations to come. Photo by Dusan Smetana.
Leaders in the hunting and angling community supported the long-awaited finalization of a state-based management plan for Colorado’s national forest roadless areas. The finalization came with the issuance of the record of decision or “ROD.”
“The Colorado roadless rule will assure the conservation of some of the state’s best hunting and fishing grounds while providing common-sense flexibility to restore habitat and protect communities from wildfire,” said Nick Payne, Colorado field representative for the TRCP.
The final rule caps a seven-year effort to formulate management rules for Colorado national forest roadless areas. The TRCP wishes to thank the many hunters and anglers involved in the process since the Colorado petition was created in 2006.
“Any sportsman worth his salt understands that when it comes to our backcountry areas, the walk out is worth the walk in,” said Gaspar Perricone, co-director of Bull Moose Sportsmen’s Alliance. “The success of the Colorado roadless rule is a testament to the positive policy outcomes that can be achieved when hunters and anglers unite around wildlife and habitat.”
Significant modifications were made to the Colorado roadless rule over the course of its development. These include creation of an upper tier category of lands that provides the highest safeguards to 1.2 million acres, a refined inventory that includes 400,000 acres of previously uninventoried roadless lands and measures protecting cutthroat trout populations.
“The finalized Colorado roadless rule – which includes final changes made in response to issues flagged by backcountry users such as hunters and anglers – promises to sustain Colorado’s renowned outdoor traditions and most important fish and wildlife habitat for generations to come,” said National Wildlife Federation Regional Representative John Gale.
Learn more about the importance of roadless areas.
Watch a video of native trout fishing in Colorado.
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