Hickenlooper’s COnservation plan uses Colorado’s success as a national model
Today John Hickenlooper unveiled his COnservation agenda, a new, aggressive plan to protect and preserve Colorado’s outdoor heritage and stop Washington’s attacks on our public lands. Read the full plan HERE.
“Our public lands provide a natural playground for us all to enjoy, stand as a lasting symbol of Colorado’s pioneering heritage, and drive our multi-billion-dollar outdoor economy,” said Hickenlooper. “It is crucial we support an aggressive conservation agenda in the U.S. Senate that will protect Colorado’s wild places and natural resources for generations to come.”
Hickenlooper’s COnservation plan includes critical steps to break through the political gamesmanship and partisan bickering that have allowed for critical conservation legislation to stall in the United States Senate. Highlights include:
Enhancing America’s outdoor recreational experiences by opposing selling off federal lands, addressing the maintenance backlog of the national parks, fully funding the Land and Water Conservation Fund, and expanding access to federal lands to increase equity in outdoors access for low-income individuals and people of color.
Promoting the outdoor industry in Colorado and across the country by prioritizing passing the CORE Act — which would protect 400,000 acres of Colorado’s public lands, including Thompson Divide and Camp Hale — and other legislation that would protect our public lands, ending the reckless trade wars, and establishing a National Recreation Office to promote outdoor recreation on federal lands, create jobs, diversify rural economies, and provide physical and mental benefits to us all.
Addressing today’s most pressing conservation challenges by protecting rare and endangered species, supporting efforts to improve our resilience to climate change, and mapping and conserving wildlife corridors.
“Governor Hickenlooper has been a longtime champion for Colorado’s outdoor economy. He has worked tirelessly throughout his career to address climate change and mitigate its impact on the natural world. As Governor, he further demonstrated his commitment to the outdoors in establishing Colorado’s Outdoor Recreation Industry Office. As Washington Republicans continue to gut environmental protections, Hickenlooper is the champion we need in the United States Senate to take Colorado’s success to Washington.” – Eric Washburn, National Co-Chair of Sportsmen for Obama in 2008 and 2012, and Founding Executive Director of Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
“Cory Gardner has chosen to place oil and gas profits ahead of the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the mountains we cherish. Senator Gardner and the Trump administration have dismantled protections for our public lands, reduced funding for essential conservation programs, and weakened environmental standards meant to protect us. Coloradans need a senator who will fight to protect the treasured landscapes and outdoor recreation that drive our economy and our way of life, by supporting the CORE Act, and by prioritizing clean energy, air, and water.” – Patrick Webber, Co-Founder of Fourpoints Bar
“As we face down the dire threat of climate change, it’s critical we elect a Senator who will propose aggressive agendas to protect our environment, and Colorado’s natural resources. Colorado’s exceptional outdoor recreation economy helps small businesses, like mine, thrive. I know that John’s plan will ensure Colorado’s outdoor heritage is protected.” – Johnny Spillane, Olympic Medalist and owner of Steamboat Flyfisher
“From droughts to a smaller snowpack, Colorado has seen the dire effects of climate change first hand. John Hickenlooper has been at the forefront of this fight, and we need his bold COnservation agenda in the United States Senate to protect Colorado’s outdoor heritage and economy that Coloradans and outdoor enthusiasts from across the country can enjoy.” – Sarah Shrader, Owner and Co-Founder of Bonsai Designs and Founder of the Outdoor Recreation Coalition of the Grand Valley
As Governor, Hickenlooper created the Colorado Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, which found that the outdoor industry generates 511,000 jobs and contributes $62 billion to Colorado’s economy. It also generates $21.4 billion in wages and salaries, and $9.4 billion in local, state, and federal tax revenue.
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