Western Slope Lawmakers Urge Congress to Oppose Selling Colorado’s Public Lands

WESTERN SLOPE, CO – A group of bipartisan lawmakers from the Western Slope today sent a letter to Colorado’s congressional delegation urging them to oppose the selling of Colorado’s public lands. 

In the letter, signed by House Speaker Julie McCluskie, D-Dillon, Senator Dylan Roberts, D-Frisco, Representative Rick Taggart, R-Grand Junction, and Senator Marc Catlin, R-Montrose, lawmakers said, “We, the undersigned state legislators of Colorado, are writing to you today to express our unwavering opposition to any efforts within the federal budget reconciliation package that include the sale of public lands.”

In the letter, lawmakers stated, “Countless Coloradans have stood up in recent weeks to oppose public lands sell-off, and more voices are joining the opposition to this deeply misguided effort every day. The local voices are strong and clear; Coloradans do not support public land sell-off.”

“Public lands are vital to Colorado's economy and way of life. These lands drive our regional economy through outdoor recreation, hunting, tourism, and industries, like agriculture and ranching. They provide essential clean air and water, supporting the quality of life that attracts businesses and skilled workers. Colorado's outdoor recreation industry alone generated over $65.8 billion in 2023, supporting 404,000 jobs statewide. Selling off these lands would threaten this economic engine and betray the public trust.”

While the Senate parliamentarian ruled that the language to sell-off more than 2 million acres of public land must be stripped from the federal reconciliation bill, Western Slope lawmakers expressed concern about US Senator Mike Lee’s commitment to “...reintroducing new language, demonstrating a determination to push through this deeply unpopular agenda.” 

Earlier this year, this group of Colorado lawmakers sponsored a resolution to affirm the state's support for public lands and opposition to any efforts to sell-off public lands. SJR25-009 passed both chambers overwhelmingly with bipartisan support.

Read the full text of the letter below:

June 24, 2025 

To our esteemed Colorado Congressional Delegation Members: 

We, the undersigned state legislators of Colorado, are writing to you today to express our unwavering opposition to any efforts within the federal budget reconciliation package that include the sale of public lands. This letter builds upon our previous actions as legislators in opposing public land sell-off and we urge you to stand firmly against this deeply unpopular and misguided effort. 

Colorado has demonstrated a powerful and broadly bi-partisan stance against federal public land sell-offs. This spring, the Colorado General Assembly overwhelmingly passed bipartisan Senate Joint Resolution 25-009, "Concerning the Protection of Colorado's Public Lands," with near-unanimous support. This resounding legislative statement underscores the statewide consensus on safeguarding these invaluable resources. Following this, multiple counties and municipalities have echoed this sentiment, including Pueblo County, La Plata County, Chaffee County, Routt County, and San Miguel County, among others.  

Furthermore, over 160 elected leaders from across our state have signed onto a letter publicly opposing public land sell-off. Countless Coloradans have stood up in recent weeks to oppose public lands sell-off, and more voices are joining the opposition to this deeply misguided effort every day. The local voices are strong and clear; Coloradans do not support public land sell-off.  

Public lands are vital to Colorado's economy and way of life. These lands drive our regional economy through outdoor recreation, hunting, tourism, and industries, like agriculture and ranching. They provide essential clean air and water, supporting the quality of life that attracts businesses and skilled workers. Colorado's outdoor recreation industry alone generated over $65.8 billion in 2023, supporting 404,000 jobs statewide. Selling off these lands would threaten this economic engine and betray the public trust. 

From the state of Utah’s failed effort in the fall of 2024 to seize 18.5 million acres of public lands through the Supreme Court to the failed House measure earlier this year in the budget reconciliation process and to two failed language attempts in the Senate thus far, the public has repeatedly rejected these proposals. Just recently, the Senate Parliamentarian ruled that the sell-off language in the budget reconciliation package violates the Byrd Rule and must be stripped. Despite this, Senator Lee has already committed to reintroducing new language, demonstrating a determination to push through this deeply unpopular agenda. This lack of transparency and repeated attempts to bypass public input are unacceptable.

Therefore, we, the undersigned Colorado State Legislators, urge you, our federal delegation members, to strongly oppose any and all provisions in the budget reconciliation package, or any other legislation, that seeks to sell off our public lands. 

Thank you for your dedication to our state and for standing with Coloradans to protect our shared public lands for current and future generations. 

Sincerely, 

Speaker Julie McCluskie, House District 13   

Senator Dylan Roberts, Senate District 8   

Representative Rick Taggart, House District 55 

Senator Marc Catlin, Senate District 5