On the Thompson Divide, aspen, sage, lupine and mule-ear daisies create a tapestry of texture and color backdropped by the West Elk Mountains.

The product of over a decade of collaboration among local communities, conservationists, ranchers, recreation groups, and elected officials, the Colorado Outdoor Recreation and Economy (CORE) Act is a comprehensive bill aimed at protecting over 400,000 acres of public land in Colorado.

The CORE Act passed the House of Representatives three times but has been stalled in the Senate amid broader debate regarding the purpose and future of America’s public lands. In 2022, areas within the CORE Act were included in the newly designated Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument, but the work to protect vulnerable wilderness, wildlife habitat, and recreation opportunities along Colorado’s Continental Divide, San Juan Mountains, and Thompson Divide remain.