Bennet, Hickenlooper, Hurd Support GORP Act at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing

Jul 15, 2026 | Press Releases

Video of Bennet's testimony is available HERE.

Washington, D.C. - Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet testified during the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining hearing in support of his Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection (GORP) Act. This is the first time this legislation has received a committee hearing.

Over the last decade, Bennet has worked with Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) and Congressman Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), seven counties in Central and Western Colorado, the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, local municipalities, local businesses, and public lands users from dirt bikers to ranchers and conservationists to develop this bill. This legislation would permanently protect key portions of the Gunnison Basin and the surrounding regions through a variety of public land management tools, including special designations focused on recreation, wildlife, scientific research, and conservation.

"Over a decade ago, I stood on the banks of the Slate River in the Gunnison Basin and promised the local community that if they could agree on a shared vision to protect this landscape, I would carry a bill to help make that vision a reality, and they did…These conversations reflect a broad vision for the landscape, bipartisan agreement on common sense solutions, and ultimately strong support for the Gunnison Outdoor Resource Protection Act, or as we call it, the GORP Act." Bennet said during his testimony.

"The Gunnison Basin's sprawling landscapes and breathtaking scenery are a gem of the West," said Hickenlooper. "Let's protect these lands for generations to come."

The GORP Act would protect over 730,000 acres of public lands in western Colorado, safeguarding the region's local economy, world-class recreation, ranching heritage, wildlife habitat, and clean air and water. The bill also includes provisions for recreational boating in Delta County and, at the request of the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, transfers the Pinecrest Ranch from fee ownership to trust ownership.

Bennet drafted the GORP Act at the request of Gunnison County and based on a proposal from the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative. The bill also reflects the input from surrounding counties and feedback Bennet received during a public comment period held in 2022. Bennet and Senator John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) first introduced the GORP Act in 2024 and reintroduced this legislation in 2025. U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd introduced a companion bill in the House of Representatives in 2025.

During this hearing, Bennet submitted more than 30 letters of support for the GORP Act into the record, including from The Ute Mountain Ute Tribe, 7 counties, 5 cities and towns, over 110 local businesses, and 17 NGOs.

The text of the bill is available HERE. Maps of the areas designated by the bill are HERE. A summary of the bill is HERE. You can find additional information, including support letters and answers to frequently asked questions on the GORP Act website HERE.

Statements of Support:

Colorado's great outdoors are known around the world and this bill marks a valuable step in the protection and management of the incredible Gunnison Basin for future generations of Coloradans and visitors," said Colorado Governor Jared Polis. "I appreciate Senator Bennet's and Congressman Hurd's leadership on this issue and look forward to continuing to engage on this bill with them as it moves forward.

"As a former resident of the Gunnison Valley and Western Colorado University graduate, I am intimately aware of the importance public lands, wildlife and outdoor recreation are to local communities' economy and environment," said Dan Gibbs, Executive Director, Colorado Department of Natural Resources. "Our forests, water, wildlife and open spaces are some of our most precious natural resources and outdoor recreation drives visitors and residents to our state to enjoy our diverse opportunities. I commend Senator Bennet, Representative Hurd and the many diverse stakeholders on developing the locally driven Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act. I look forward to working alongside all interested parties as this legislation makes its way through the U.S. Congress."

"The GORP Act is the product of the way we do business in Gunnison County: We sit down with our friends and neighbors and do the hard work of finding common ground and durable solutions that best serve our communities. Public Lands touch every aspect of our lives and are the backbone of our economy, our values and our way of life. I am proud of the work we have done to bring so many stakeholders- snowmobilers, ranchers, mountain bikers, hunters/anglers and conservationists to name a few- together," said Jonathan Houck, Gunnison County Commissioner. "While GORP started in Gunnison County, I couldn't be happier to stand with five neighboring Western Slope counties in support of this legislation, and I thank Senator Bennet for listening to our communities and to Congressman Hurd for supporting the hard work of his constituents in this part of his district."

Delta County is glad to have worked with Senator Bennet and Representative Hurd on the GORP Act," said the Delta County Commissioners. "Its provisions for Delta County will provide public access to a boat ramp, ensure that the BLM can continue to permit existing motorized boat use, provide for adaptive management of our USFS lands, and bring forward a thoughtful balance of uses on public lands in the North Fork Valley. This legislation shows what's possible when we roll up our sleeves and work together."

"As we traverse from Pitkin to Gunnison over West Maroon Pass, we are enjoying the awe of the Maroon Bells-Snowmass Wilderness. The GORP Act expands our existing wilderness, protecting vistas and valley floors, providing stewardship and lasting protection for generations," said Jeffrey Woodruff, Chair of the Board of Pitkin County Commissioners. "These valuable lands offer wildlife refuge, reserves for clean water, and access to quiet recreation. The GORP Act protects land residents view as sacred and visitors experience the spirit and value of conservation."

"Hinsdale County was proud to have collaborated with Senator Bennet, Gunnison County and Ouray County on the GORP Act," said Kristie Borchers, Chair, Hinsdale County Board of County Commissioners. "We are excited that a key portion of the scenic Cimarron area where Hinsdale, Ouray and Gunnison County come together will be protected by this legislation. This bill will help protect our watersheds and the landscapes that attract the visitors who help drive our mountain town economies in the San Juan Mountains. We look forward to seeing the GORP Act move forward in Congress and we are excited to see Congressman Hurd introduce a companion version of this bill in the US House. The support on the ground for GORP is bipartisan and it's great to see the bill have bipartisan support in Washington DC as well."

"The GORP Act sets the bar for collaborative and beneficial legislation," said Lynn Padgett, Ouray County Commissioner. "I am forever grateful to Senator Bennet and his team and stakeholders like Gunnison, Hinsdale, and Ouray Counties for enthusiastically working together to include the proposed Uncompahgre Wilderness expansion and especially for protecting Turret Ridge. The peaks of the Cimarron Range are unique in their scenery and geology. The GORP Act not only protects important migration areas for elk and key habitats for lynx and moose. The GORP Act protects our precious wildlands, vital to our local economy and quality of life. We deeply appreciate that Representative Hurd has now joined the effort to pass this bill in the US House."

"As a rural mountain community whose economy, culture, and quality of life are deeply connected to public lands, Chaffee County understands the importance of thoughtful, locally informed conservation efforts that balance recreation, wildlife habitat, watershed protection, historic uses, and sustainable economic vitality," said the Chaffee County Commissioners. "The GORP Act reflects this balanced and collaborative approach. The public lands addressed through the GORP Act are an essential part of Colorado's outdoor heritage and regional economy. Protecting these landscapes will help preserve critical wildlife habitat, safeguard watersheds that sustain downstream communities and agricultural operations, and maintain the outstanding recreational opportunities that support local businesses and tourism economies throughout central and western Colorado."

"As Mayor of Crested Butte I am beyond excited to see GORP receive its first hearing," said Ian Billick, Mayor of Crested Butte. "This is a testament to the community conversation shepherded by Senator Bennet, as well as his foresight and hard work. Serious kudos to Representative Jeff Hurd for stepping up to support this bill as well, making it clear that when local communities invest their blood, sweat, and tears in working through hard conversations, in this instance for more than 10 years, bipartisan progress is possible! Working together we can make good things happen."

"We appreciate the Committee taking this important step towards the enactment of the GORP Act and stand ready to continue our support through the remainder of the legislative process" said members of the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative in a joint statement. "With the many significant challenges facing our public lands, waters, and Federal land management agencies, the enactment of the GORP Act has never been more important or urgent."

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