Public Lands
Advocating to Missouri Heights’ public lands intact, while
protecting open space and connected wildlife corridors.
Embedded Files
KMOHR's PRESIDENT INTERVIEWED ABOUT NEW ZONING REGS
READ ABOUT THE GAME ACT
The legislation proposes exchanging 2,158 acres of public BLM land in Game Management Unit (GMU) 444 for 2,103 acres of private land in GMU 22 (Out of Bounds Ranch / Cow Creek drainage).
Subject: CPW Comments on the Out of Bounds Ranch & BLM Land Exchange Proposal — GAME Act
Overview
Overview
In an official response to U.S. Representative Jeff Hurd, CPW Director Laura Clellan details the agency’s technical assessment of the proposed Greater Access for Multiple-Use Experiences (GAME) Act. The legislation proposes exchanging 2,158 acres of public BLM land in Game Management Unit (GMU) 444 for 2,103 acres of private land in GMU 22 (Out of Bounds Ranch / Cow Creek drainage).
The letter directly addresses public misinformation regarding CPW’s position, outlines serious wildlife and public access tradeoffs, and details critical concerns regarding loss of winter range and access in GMU 444.
Key Takeaways from CPW's Analysis
Key Takeaways from CPW's Analysis
Explicit Refutation of Endorsement: CPW directly clarifies that it does not endorse or support the GAME Act. The letter corrects recent public claims implying CPW support, emphasizing that prior 2025 agency input was strictly technical and informational. CPW maintains a neutral position with "no formal stance or opinion."
Critical Habitat Loss in GMU 444: The 2,158 public acres proposed for transfer to private hands contain mapped elk production (calving) areas and severe winter range supporting over 300 elk annually from August through December.
Impact on Outdoor Access & Crowding: Losing the public parcel in GMU 444 will severely restrict public entry to adjacent U.S. Forest Service lands, exacerbate existing hunter crowding in a unit already limited in public access, and potentially increase game damage conflicts on surrounding agricultural lands.
Limited Benefits of the GMU 22 Parcel: While the private land offered in exchange (Cow Creek drainage on the Roan Plateau) has hunting value, CPW notes that steep terrain limits public usability and the acquisition does not unlock any landlocked public land that wasn't already accessible elsewhere.
Protection Recommendation: If Congress passes the exchange, CPW urges adoption of Garfield County’s recommendation to place the privatized GMU 444 acreage under a permanent conservation easement to prevent residential subdivision and commercial development.
LINKS TO MORE INFORMATION
Wilderness Workshop This page features an official statement from Wilderness Workshop opposing the GAME Act. It highlights concerns that the proposed land exchange lacks transparency, faces broad community opposition, and ultimately hands public land over to ultra-wealthy private interests. It also notes that Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) determined the swap would not provide new access to previously landlocked public lands as proponents have claimed.
Colorado Wild Public Lands An informative overview page by Colorado Wild Public Lands (CWPL) that breaks down the specifics of the GAME Act. It details the acreage, locations (transferring BLM land near Glenwood Springs for private land near Rifle), and the current timeline of the proposed bill. The page also serves as a resource hub, providing links to maps, related documents, and direct contact information for Colorado's federal representatives.
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers (BHA) The Colorado chapter of BHA shares its official stance against the proposed GAME Act, heavily focusing on the impact to wildlife and outdoor access. BHA argues that the public land slated for trade is vital elk calving and winter range, and losing it would cut off access to adjacent Forest Service land. They also strongly criticize using an act of Congress to bypass the standard BLM review process, which typically requires robust public engagement.
Public Lands Defense An independent, grassroots campaign website dedicated to stopping the GAME Act before it reaches Congress. The site outlines why they view the deal as a lopsided trade—swapping fertile, water-rich public land and migration corridors for drier, less valuable private parcels. It also offers a petition, talking points, and actionable steps for citizens who want to contact their representatives and oppose the swap.
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse