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

About About Michael Legislation News Press Releases Social Media Newsletter Archive Services Priorities Top Issues Child Tax Credit Investing in Colorado Contact Map Español Acerca de Michael Escribe a Michael Prioridades Servicios Visitando D.C. Bennet, Hickenlooper, Hurd Support GORP Act at Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee Hearing 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 […] 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