Senator Udall Shows Colorado’s Parks Some Valentine’s Day Love

Environment Colorado

Denver, CO – Today, on the 50th anniversary of its original introduction, U.S. Senator Mark Udall joined a bipartisan group of Senators to introduce S.338, a bill to fully fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund, a public land acquisition program that has helped protect places like Mesa Verde National Park and White River National Forest in Colorado.  

“Today, Colorado’s parks felt some Valentine’s Day love,” said Margaret McCall, field associate, Environment Colorado. “I applaud Senator Mark Udall for committing his support to such an important program for our parks, forest, waterways and special places. I urge Sen. Bennet to join him in cosponsoring this bill.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund was first proposed by President John F. Kennedy on Feb. 14, 1963. The program sets aside a small portion of revenues the federal government receives from offshore oil drilling royalties, and makes these funds available to protect and expand parks, wildlife refuges, forests and recreation areas. This conservation program has only been fully funded once during its tenure. This bill would provide consistent and reliable authority from Congress to fund the program.  

“Colorado’s parks, from Rocky Mountain National Park to Chatfield State Park, are where some of our most unforgettable memories are formed – our first childhood hikes, our first time sleeping under the stars, our first encounters with wildlife,” said McCall. “The Land and Water Conservation Fund is one of the best tools we have to protect our parks from the increased threat of overdevelopment and pollution from mining, drilling, and logging.”  

Environment Colorado is a statewide, citizen-based, environmental advocacy organization working toward a cleaner, greener, healthier future.