Colorado Lawmakers Reject Arbitrary Federal Land Grabs

Press Release

Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO-05) is introducing legislation, H.R. 4716 , with Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-06) that would safeguard Colorado from arbitrary presidential monument designations and ensure that all future national monument designations only occur through an open and transparent process that includes input from local officials, residents, and stakeholders.

A recent Department of Interior (DOI) document (linked here) lists as many as 14 possible areas being considered for designation as national monuments by the President, one of which is located in northwest Colorado--the Vermillion Basin. Collectively, the areas listed in the document could encompass 13 million acres of federally owned land. Additionally, the document identifies millions of additional acres being considered for new federal land acquisition -- including the Alpine Triangle near Gunnison, Colorado.

"Colorado has a rich supply of natural energy that if used responsibly can provide high paying jobs and reduce energy costs. But this Administration just doesn't get it. It seems President Obama and Secretary Salazar would rather lock up our valuable Western resources than help lower energy costs and create jobs. At the very least, they owe it to the people of Colorado to discuss their agenda in an open manner." Congressman Doug Lamborn (CO -05)

"This legislation will help ensure that any decision to further restrict access to valuable natural resources is done so with the full input and knowledge of the people of Colorado. Congressman Lamborn and I call on the entire Colorado delegation to support this bill. It will ensure that the people of Colorado have a voice in what happens in our state." -- Congressman Mike Coffman (CO-06)

The 1906 Antiquities Act allows a president to circumvent Congress to authorize certain areas for restrictive designation in special circumstances, but the process has been abused in the past. Former President Bill Clinton used this executive power in 1996 to designate the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument in Utah without ever consulting the public or state, local and federal officials.

In 1950, Congress passed a law that prohibited the future establishment of national monuments in Wyoming except as authorized by Congress. H.R.4716 is modeled after this legislation but inserts Colorado in the place of Wyoming.

Over the last forty years, the federal government has spent nearly $13 billion adding hundreds of thousands of acres to the federal estate. In fact, an area larger than the size of Florida has been added to federal lands since John F. Kennedy was president.

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