Colorado’s land, water, and wildlife are the foundation of our economy, identity, and way of life. To live in Colorado is to embrace the responsibility of stewarding our natural resources, ensuring future generations can work on the land, start new businesses, and enjoy the incredible places Colorado has to offer.
For the last two decades, Michael stood with local communities to safeguard Colorado’s way of life, protecting over 700,000 acres of Colorado’s public lands. He worked with the Obama and Biden Administrations to establish three Colorado national monuments, including iconic landscapes like Camp Hale, Chimney Rock, and Browns Canyon. And he partnered with local leaders across Colorado to protect the Hermosa Creek watershed, prevent new oil and gas development in the Thompson Divide and near the City of Durango, resolve one of the longest-running mine conflicts in Colorado, expand Yucca House National Monument, and add Camp Amache to the National Park System.
The work must continue. President Trump is cutting staff, slashing resources, and trying to ditch protections we worked together to put in place. At the same time, rising costs and overcrowding mean too many Coloradans are being priced out of their own backyard.
Michael believes that Colorado can be the gold standard for protecting our public lands, growing our outdoor economy, stewarding our natural resources, and ensuring everyone has access to the outdoors.
As Governor, he will:
- protect Colorado’s natural heritage;
- make our outdoors more accessible and affordable for all; and
- collaborate for better management of our land, water, and wildlife.
Protect Colorado’s Natural Heritage. Public lands – our forests, canyons, parks, and high country watersheds – define Colorado. Michael has long believed that some places are just too special to develop. He will continue to fight to protect these treasured places so that future generations can enjoy them. In partnership with Colorado leaders, he will develop the vision and champion the investments needed to grow our outdoor economy by expanding open space, conserving fish and wildlife habitat, and protecting our water supply. He will:
- Protect Our Public Lands: Coloradans know that our public lands are our legacy and we should manage them well for the next generation. Michael led the fight against the Trump Administration’s radical attempt to sell off public lands and he continues to oppose projects that don’t serve the public interest. As Governor, Michael will keep Colorado’s public lands in public hands. He will ask for feedback, early and often, to make sure that federal land management respects local values and meets Colorado’s needs. And he’ll continue to support permanent protections for remarkable places, from Gunnison County to the Dolores River Basin.
- Expand State Parks and Wildlife Areas: Colorado’s state parks and wildlife areas provide countless conservation, recreation, and habitat benefits. In partnership with local communities, Michael will expand existing state parks and wildlife areas, and create new ones. With outdoor recreation contributing over $18 billion to Colorado’s economy and supporting 137,000 jobs, he will work with Colorado communities to create new recreation-focused designations that improve access, advance responsible recreation, and benefit local communities.
- Invest in Colorado’s Working Lands: Colorado’s conservation easement tax credit is the most successful private lands conservation program in the nation. It has helped farmers, ranchers, and landowners voluntarily conserve more than 3.5 million acres of working land and wildlife habitat. Not surprisingly, the tax credit is popular and oversubscribed – a testament to Colorado’s stewardship ethic. Michael will lead the charge to extend the program and secure sustainable and predictable future funding.
- Conserve Fish and Wildlife Habitat: Colorado’s fish and wildlife draws millions of people every year to birdwatch, hunt and fish, and recreate in our state — contributing over $3 billion to our economy. Michael will prioritize research and updated mapping for the over 1,400 wildlife species the state manages, to avoid, minimize, and mitigate impacts on vital fish and wildlife habitat. With Colorado reporting over 4,000 wildlife-vehicle collisions each year, Michael will also expand Colorado’s wildlife crossing infrastructure to protect habitat corridors, save lives, and cut costs.
A More Accessible and Affordable Outdoors. Michael believes that every kid in Colorado, regardless of where they grow up or how much money they have, should be able to access and enjoy Colorado’s great outdoors. Pricey gear, lodging costs, and limited transportation options keep too many Coloradans from experiencing everything our state has to offer. In partnership with community leaders, Michael will undertake a comprehensive effort to build an outdoors accessible to all. He will:
- Break Down Barriers: Across the state, community leaders are finding creative solutions to get more people into the outdoors. Michael will partner with these communities and build on the success of effective but oversubscribed state initiatives, like the Outdoor Equity Grant Program and GOCO’s Generation Wild. He will expand resources for grassroots and community-based organizations serving underrepresented and under resourced communities. And he will elevate diverse voices, ensuring they are not just consulted but positioned to influence and lead decisions that affect their communities. As part of this work, Michael will strengthen state initiatives that support close to home places to play, with the goal of giving every kid in Colorado green space within a 10 minute walk.
- Support Outdoor Learning & Careers: Schools provide an avenue to expose kids and families to the outdoors and outdoor jobs. Michael will support school districts and local programs that integrate outdoor skills and experiences, especially in early childhood education and high school. He’ll expand opportunities for kids and young adults to pursue natural resource management and outdoor-based apprenticeships, service opportunities, and work experiences, including through partnerships with businesses and higher education institutions.
- Partner with Communities and Industry to Cut Costs: Skiing, mountain biking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits can be prohibitively expensive for families. Michael will tackle the affordability challenges head on. He will expand fee-free days for families at our state parks. And he will continue to convene the outdoor industry, showing that Colorado is the best place to start a business, while encouraging the industry to forge new partnerships and pitch in, from affordable ski passes for families and schools to donations to local gear libraries and investments in local green space.
Collaboration for Better Management. Climate change, population growth, tourism, and new energy and infrastructure development will bring new challenges to Colorado communities. Michael has spent the last two decades bringing people out of their corners, bridging divides, and having the hard conversations required to find the durable solutions. He’ll follow that same model as Governor, working with and across Colorado to improve our quality of life. He will:
- Invest in Local Recreation Infrastructure: Colorado’s popularity as a recreation destination requires communities to get creative to manage the influx of people and competing public land priorities. Michael will build on Colorado’s Outdoor Strategy by investing in locally-led, collaborative planning. He’ll support counties and municipalities pursuing new revenue sources for recreation related infrastructure, such as bathrooms, parking lots, roads, trailheads, and emergency services. And he will demand that the federal land management agencies uphold their end of the bargain by dedicating staff to our most popular public lands, and keeping revenues generated in Colorado’s National Forests here in Colorado.
- Improve State Trust Land Management: Colorado’s State Trust Lands are a unique asset, providing a source of revenue for our schools while supporting agricultural families and wildlife habitat, and offering recreation opportunities. Michael will pursue new ideas to improve state trust land management and diversify revenue. He will steward the state’s assets, explore innovative uses like appropriately-sited housing on state lands located near communities, provide durable protections for lands with exceptional ecological values, while continuing to support heritage industries.
- Rebuild Trust: Michael believes that proactive conversations with local communities – informed by quality data and the best available science – can help Colorado prepare for future threats and mitigate conflict. Michael will continuously seek feedback from local governments, agriculture, recreation, sportsmen, energy, and conservation interests to work on shared solutions. And he will appoint leaders who listen to the entire state and bring people together to solve problems.
