Hermosa Creek Takes Important Step Toward Protection in U.S. House Natural Resources Committee

The Hermosa Creek watershed is one of the most popular destinations in southwestern Colorado. Located in the San Juan National Forest just 10 miles outside of Durango, the area features the native Colorado River cutthroat trout, deer, elk, and Canada lynx. Hiking, mountain biking, hunting, and fishing are among the many recreational activities enjoyed here.

Today, this old-growth ponderosa pine forest is one step closer to protection as the House Natural Resources Committee's Subcommittee on Public Lands and Environmental Regulation holds a hearing on Representative Scott Tipton's (R-CO) Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act (H.R. 1839).

Rep. Tipton's legislation would designate 38,000 acres as wilderness and create 70,000 acres of a special management area that consists of roughly 17 separate ecosystems.

After nearly three years of dialogue, a diverse local coalition of outdoor recreationists, water officials, small business owners, and sportsmen have come together to safeguard Hermosa Creek.

The Hermosa Creek River Protection Workgroup collaborated with Rep. Tipton and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) to ensure that the proposed legislation made environmental and economic sense for southwestern Colorado.

Meet the people who worked so hard to get the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act this far—and will continue their efforts until it is law—in this episode of “This American Land,” produced in partnership with The Pew Charitable Trusts.