I
107TH CONGRESS
1ST SESSION
H. R. 1379
To provide for a study of options for protecting the open space characteristics
of certain lands in and adjacent to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National
Forests in Colorado, and for other purposes.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
APRIL 3, 2001
Mr. UDALL of Colorado introduced the following bill; which was referred to
the Committee on Resources
A BILL
To provide for a study of options for protecting the open
space characteristics of certain lands in and adjacent
to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests in Colo-
rado, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION. 1. SHORT TITLE; FINDINGS; PURPOSE.
(a) SHORT TITLE.—This Act may be cited as the
‘‘Colorado Northern Front Range Mountain Backdrop
Protection Study Act’’.
(b) FINDINGS.—Congress finds the following:
(1) Rising dramatically from the Great Plains,
the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains provides
a scenic mountain backdrop to many communities in
the Denver metropolitan area and elsewhere in Colo-
rado. The portion of the range within and adjacent
to the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests also
includes a diverse array of wildlife habitats and pro-
vides many opportunities for outdoor recreation.
(2) The open space character of this mountain
backdrop is an important esthetic and economic
asset for adjoining communities, making them at-
tractive locations for homes and businesses.
(3) Rapid population growth in the northern
Front Range area of Colorado is increasing rec-
reational use of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National
Forests and is also placing increased pressure for
development of other lands within and adjacent to
that national forest.
(4) Efforts by local governments and other enti-
ties have provided important protection for portions
of this mountain backdrop, especially in the northern
Denver metropolitan area. However, some portions
of the mountain backdrop in this part of Colorado
remain unprotected and are at risk of losing their
open space qualities.
(5) It is in the national interest for the Federal
Government, in collaboration with local communities,
to assist in identifying options for increasing the
protection of the mountain backdrop in the northern
Front Range area of Colorado.
(c) PURPOSE.—The purpose of this Act is to identify
options that may be available to assist in maintaining the
open space characteristics of lands that are part of the
mountain backdrop of communities in the northern section
of the Front Range area of Colorado.
SEC. 2. COLORADO NORTHERN FRONT RANGE MOUNTAIN
BACKDROP STUDY.
(a) STUDY AND REPORT.—The Secretary of Agri-
culture, acting through the Chief of the Forest Service and
in consultation with appropriate State and local agencies,
shall review the lands within the study area and not later
than one year after the date of the enactment of this Act
shall report to Congress regarding the following:
(1) The present ownership of such lands.
(2) Which undeveloped land may be at risk of
development.
(3) Identification of and recommendations con-
cerning actions that could be taken by the United
States, the State of Colorado, or any other parties
to preserve the open and undeveloped character of
such lands.
(b) DEFINITIONS.—For the purposes of this Act, the
following definitions apply:
(1) STUDY
AREA.—The term ‘‘study area’’
means all lands in southern Boulder, northern Jef-
ferson, and northern Gilpin Counties, Colorado, that
are situated west of Colorado State Highway 93,
south and east of Colorado State Highway 119, and
north of Colorado State Highway 46, excluding
lands within the city limits of the cities of Boulder
or Golden, Colorado.
(2) UNDEVELOPED LAND.—The term ‘‘undevel-
oped land’’ means land that—
(A) is located within the study area;
(B) is free or primarily free of structures;
and
(C) the development of which is likely to
adversely affect the scenic, wildlife, or rec-
reational value of the study area.
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