Tipton, Polis Bills To Help Colorado Communities, Protect Public Lands, And Settle Land Dispute Pass House
Press Release
Bills introduced by U.S. Reps. Scott Tipton (CO-03) and Jared Polis (CO-02) that will help Colorado communities, protect public lands, and settle a long-standing land dispute have passed the House of Representatives.
On Monday, Feb. 6, 2017, the House passed the Bolts Ditch Access and Use Act (H.R. 689), the Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2017 (H.R. 688), and the Elkhorn Ranch and White River National Forest Conveyance Act of 2017 (H.R. 698).
H.R. 689 would allow the town of Minturn to use its existing water right to fill Bolts Lake by giving the town special use of the Bolts Ditch headgate and the segment of the Bolts Ditch within the Holy Cross Wilderness Area. When Congress designated Holy Cross Wilderness Area in 1980, Bolts Ditch was inadvertently left off the list of existing water facilities.
H.R. 688 would expand the Arapaho National Forest, informally known as the "Wedge," to include ten new parcels of land, which are currently undeveloped. The move enables the U.S. Forest Service to effectively protect and preserve an area where millions of people travel annually.
"Yesterday was a great win for Coloradans," Polis said. "At a time when it seems that partisanship and divisiveness is at historic levels, it's heartening to see members of the Colorado delegation work together to protect our public lands and find practical solutions for our communities. We should all be proud of the passage of these bills that will protect our wonderful wilderness and help our local economies."
H.R. 698 would resolve a costly title dispute between the federal government and private landowners. It would formally convey a small portion of land near Rifle to its property-owners, who have used and paid property taxes on the acreage for years.
"I am proud to work alongside Congressman Polis to protect our public lands and facilitate this bipartisan, non-controversial land conveyance. We're working to preserve Colorado's pristine areas and cultural treasures, while ensuring state and individual property and water rights are honored," Tipton said.
Colorado U.S. Sens. Gardner and Bennet have introduced companion legislation in the Senate for each of the bills.
Source