Hats off to Sen. Michael Bennet for pushing the Senate to take up the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy Act.

Bennet and Rep. Joe Neguse introduced the bill in January, and it has seen quick action in the U.S. House, having passed the Natural Resources Committee in June. It’s now time for the Senate to consider it.

The CORE Act is the result of many years of local community discussions in the San Juan Mountain and Continental Divide regions, as well as the Thompson Divide and Curecanti National Recreation Area.

Each section was crafted through dialogue and collaboration with all interested stakeholders in the areas.

A model of ground-up cooperation, it includes something for everyone, from wilderness areas to protection for historic Camp Hale – and has incredible support from citizens, interest groups and local governments.

With the bill moving through the House, the Senate must take it up soon. Hopefully, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will grant Bennet a hearing on the bill, then pass it on to the floor.

This well-crafted and popular legislation should be enacted into law this year.

Sen. Bennet is a great champion for public lands protection, and I thank him for pushing hard on the CORE Act.

Greg Sevick

Durango