Colorado retains 4.2 million acres of roadless land protections

Colorado will maintain roadless protections for 4.2 million acres of land despite the Trump administration’s move to rescind the 2001 Roadless Rule across much of the West. The U.S. Forest Service confirmed it will respect state-specific rules previously negotiated in 2012 under the administration of former Governor Bill Owens.

These protected areas include the Maroon East Roadless Area near Aspen and the Tenmile Roadless Area in Summit County. While the administration argues that new roads are necessary to combat wildfires caused by forest overgrowth, opponents contend the policy change aims to facilitate logging, mining, and oil and gas permitting.

Although Colorado and Idaho are exempt due to their existing state-specific pacts, environmental groups noted that wildlife habitats in surrounding states may still be impacted by new road construction.