James Peak Bill Protects Land and Allows Bicycling
IMBA Special Report - Mountain Biking & Conservation
When the U.S. House of Representatives passed the James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area bill in December, IMBA's efforts to preserve the environment while allowing bicycle access took a step forward. The bill, which is still awaiting U.S. Senate approval, would protect about 34,000 acres spanning the Continental Divide northwest of Denver as a Wilderness and a Protection Area.
The Protection Area designation would preserve 18,000 acres of the Arapahoe-Roosevelt National Forest on the west side of the Continental Divide above Winter Park, Colorado. It specifically allows travel by bicycles and snowmobiles, which are prohibited in federal Wilderness areas. The Protection Area designation also prohibits mining, commercial logging, and the construction of new roads.
The new James Peak Wilderness would protect 14,000 acres on the east side of the range. The designation would close one expert, rarely used trail to bicyclists.
The final version of the James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area bill was a result of negotiation and compromise. Initial opinions on what to do with the James Peak area were divided - fittingly enough - by the Continental Divide. Conservation groups located on the eastern side of the Continental Divide were in favor of making the entire area Wilderness. However, residents in Grand County on the western side of the Divide were concerned that closing the area to mountain bikes and snowmobiles would harm the local economy, which depends heavily on these recreational activities.
Cyclists in Grand County wanted to maintain access to the Rogers Pass Trail, which climbs through dramatic alpine tundra to the Continental Divide at a 12,000-foot elevation. Rogers Pass is the only trail above timberline in the county that is open to bicycling.
This division extended all the way to Congress. Representative Mark Udall (Democrat of Colorado) introduced the original bill that would have created a Wilderness Study Area in Grand County. However, Representative Scott McInnis (Republican of Colorado) opposed the Grand County WSA component, noting that many local residents disliked the idea. As Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Forests and Forest Health, McInnis has the power to block the entire bill.
Then, the Grand County Commissioners proposed a compromise: the James Peak Protection Area. The proposal provided an alternative that both Congressman and their constituents could support.
The James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area bill shows the potential for strong environmental protection and mountain biking to co-exist. If the Senate approves the bill, the pristine natural beauty and wildlife habitat of James Peak will be preserved and outdoors enthusiasts - including mountain bikers - will be able to enjoy the land for generations to come.
