Tipton Applauds Expanded Tourism Opportunities for Colorado Mountain Communities

Press Release

Today, Congressman Scott Tipton (R-CO) applauded the announcement that the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) has finalized policy guidelines to allow year-round recreation opportunities in ski areas located on USFS lands. The policy is the result of the bipartisan Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act, of which Tipton was a co-sponsor. After Tipton shepherded the legislation through the House Agriculture Committee, the Act was signed into law in late 2011.

"Colorado's ski areas, many of which are located on public lands, provide significant economic benefits for the surrounding communities. Expanding opportunities for year-round outdoor recreation will maximize those economic benefits. The potential for new jobs and increased tourism as the result of the Ski Area Recreation Opportunity Enhancement Act is a boon for Colorado's rural mountain communities," said Tipton. "I'm proud to have worked with my colleagues to pass this commonsense legislation, and look forward to seeing communities in the 3rd District benefit for years to come once the USFS implements the policy."

The USFS estimates that the expanded opportunities as the result of the Ski Area Opportunity Enhancement Act, which include trails, mountain bike, golf courses, zip lines, and other activities, will increase visitation to ski areas on USFS lands by 600,000 annually, create up to 600 new jobs and bring as much as $40 million to mountain communities. The final USFS guidelines are expected to be published in the Federal Register this week.

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