Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection Act of 2025

This bill protects large areas of public land in Colorado, mostly around Gunnison County. It creates wildlife conservation areas, special management areas, protection areas, recreation areas, new wilderness, and a Rocky Mountain Scientific Research and Education Area to support wildlife, outdoor recreation, and research. It keeps most motorized and bike use on existing roads and trails, with tighter limits in some places and the option to add a few new trails after review . New roads are generally not allowed; any short‑term road for a restoration project must be removed within three years. Commercial logging is not allowed. Forest work will focus on restoring forests, using prescribed fire, and keeping old‑growth trees. Grazing rules continue as they are, Colorado keeps its role over fish and wildlife, water rights aren’t changed, and these protected areas are closed to new mining and drilling claims. There are no new “buffer zones” around them . The bill also calls for seasonal trail closures and wet‑meadow and stream restoration to help wildlife and habitat, done in partnership with local and state groups.

It adds new wilderness and expands several existing ones, while making a small boundary fix to the West Elk Wilderness and releasing some study lands from temporary status . In the North Fork Valley (Delta County), it blocks new oil and gas leasing and forbids surface drilling, but still allows capturing methane from coal mines. It also lets a long‑standing motorized boat permit in the Gunnison Gorge Wilderness be transferred if the public gets permanent, reasonable access to the boat ramp. Finally, it directs the Interior Department to place about 19,080 acres into trust for the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe (no casinos on that land), complete a boundary survey, and leave County Road 25 rights in place.

Key points

• Who is affected: Residents and visitors in and around Gunnison County and the North Fork Valley; ranchers who graze public land; hikers, hunters, anglers, bikers, and OHV riders; scientists and students; and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe .
• What changes: New protected areas; tighter rules on where bikes and OHVs can go; seasonal closures and habitat restoration; no new roads or commercial logging in protected zones; new and expanded wilderness; oil and gas limits in the North Fork Valley; and Tribal trust land with no gaming .
• When: On enactment, most rules take effect. Within 3 years, winter travel plans must be set for certain areas, and any temporary project roads must be removed within 3 years after the project ends. Within 1 year, the Ute Mountain Ute trust land transfer and a survey must be completed. Maps will be available for the public at BLM or Forest Service offices .