Governor Polis Urges Passage of CORE Act in Conversations with Interior Secretary Haaland

DENVER- Governor Jared Polis first introduced the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act when he served in Congress, and reiterated his support as Governor for protecting Colorado’s cherished public land, celebrating the birthplace of the famed 10th Mountain Division, and creating new jobs for the state’s outdoor recreation industry. Governor Polis highlighted how the CORE Act would benefit Colorado while speaking with Department of the Interior Secretary Deb Haaland during the Secretary’s visit to Colorado including Grand Junction. 

“The Colorado way of life relies on public lands and our vast great outdoors. Coloradans cherish our access to hundreds of thousands of acres of public lands and wilderness for recreation,” said Governor Polis. “The CORE Act serves to protect the lands that Coloradans love. As our state works to protect our wilderness in the face of development and climate change, the CORE Act will help Colorado permanently preserve our natural beauty while providing endless opportunities for recreation that will drive our economy and create jobs. I urge Secretary Haaland and the Biden administration to help ensure the Senate passes this important bill.”

At the state level, initiatives led by Governor Polis, like the Keep Colorado Wild Pass Initiative, and Outdoor Regional Partnerships Initiative, will make significant strides in sustainable funding and direct investment in outdoor recreation, infrastructure, and our public lands. 

Secretary Haaland is spending several days in Colorado this week to tour the state’s public lands and observe ongoing wildfire and drought conditions. Secretary Haaland has made clear that the Biden administration supports the CORE Act.  

This piece of legislation, which is championed by Colorado Senators Michael Bennet, John Hickenlooper, and Representative Joe Neguse, passed the U.S. House of Representatives in February 2021 but is awaiting legislative action by the U.S. Senate. Governor Polis first authored the initial Eagle and Summit County wilderness legislation in 2010 in Congress. 

While meeting with Secretary Haaland, Governor Polis also offered support for federal funding for the Civilian Climate Corps program, which would provide new employment opportunities aimed at tackling climate change, investing in clean energy, improving the environment, and maintaining and growing the Bureau of Land Management Headquarters in Grand Junction and presence in Lakewood.