Polis' Grand County "Wedge" Bill Swiftly Passes Committee

Press Release

Representative Jared Polis' (CO-02) bill to protect a "wedge" of land between Rocky Mountain National Park and Arapaho National Forest swiftly passed the House Natural Resources Committee by unanimous consent today. Polis is a member of the House Natural Resources Committee.

The bill, titled the Arapaho National Forest Boundary Adjustment Act of 2015, would incorporate ten parcels of land within the wedge into the Arapaho National Forest, enabling the United States Forest Service to effectively protect and preserve an area that serves millions annually as they travel west along the Trail Ridge scenic byway -- from the 13,000-foot apex of the Rocky Mountains to the destination Town of Grand Lake.

"The Wedge is among one of Colorado's most unique and beautiful open spaces -- serving not only locals and visitors to the area, but an impressive array of plants, animals, and water resources," Polis said. "Developing it would be detrimental to the health and economic value of protected lands on both sides. The WEDGE Act will ensure the area is protected from such development while addressing repeated community requests that we correct this boundary oversight and preserve the wedge for future generations."

The Forest Service currently owns seven of the ten lots that comprise the "wedge." The Forest Boundary has never been adjusted to include these parcels within the Arapaho National Forest, as doing so requires legislative action.

A full House vote on the legislation is expected soon.

This bill is supported by the Grand County Board of County Commissioners, the Town of Grand Lake, the Headwaters Trails Alliance, and Conservation Colorado, along with all of affected private landowners.

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