The CORE Act passed the House of Representatives with bipartisan support and a resounding 227-182 voting margin. Now on its way to the Senate, the CORE Act will be the largest public lands bill in Colorado since 1993, protecting over 400,000 acres in total and 73,000 acres of new wilderness.

The bill hits close to home; many of the protections are additions to San Juan National Forest, in our own backyard.

The CORE Act is important to me, not only as an advocate for public lands and wild spaces, but as a small business owner in Cortez. My shop, High Desert Life Outdoors, is a local institution that thrives off an expanding outdoor recreation industry. We all love going outside and experiencing the wonder and beauty that is so defining of the Colorado landscape. From the desert to the alpine and the rivers in between, public lands are a second home and place of refuge for me and my family.

Simply put, the CORE Act will improve our lives on the West Slope and help create opportunities for economic growth through businesses like mine.

A big thank-you to Rep. Joe Neguse, Sen. Michael Bennett an all the legislative co-sponsors for introducing the bill and carrying it through the first chamber!

As we look ahead to the Senate vote, I sincerely hope Sen. Cory Gardner will rise to the occasion and heed his constituents; the CORE Act is the public lands legislation Coloradans need – and we want it now.

Jeff MobleyCortez