WASHINGTON - Nothing is more important to skiers and riders in Colorado than to have excellent access to resorts during winter time months. However, Coloradans know well what happens in the summer months. Powder skiing as well as mountain biking, hiking and other summer fun at mountian resorts is a large part of why Coloradans recreate year round. Yet the current Forest Service regulations permit limited usage of public lands on ski areas to skiing either the nordic or alpine variety during winter months soley. A bill sponsored by Senator Mark Udall (D) Colo., titled "Ski Area Recreational Opportunity Enhancement Act" is going to change this old practice.
"I've been fighting for years to change the law to clarify that appropriate activities can take place on public lands, enhancing our enjoyment of them and boosting the mountain communities that depend on them for both livelihood and fun," Udall said.
Sen. Udall said there is uncertainity between how the Forest Service and ski areas communicate on the issue of whether or not ski areas can use the land they are permitted to during the summer months. This restriction he said is hindering the opening of new businesses, which could operate year round near ski areas if the Forest Service would allow usage during summer months. The land in turn could be used for creating new jobs with the expansion of new industries such as mountain bike terrain parks.
"The bill is narrowly tailored, pragmatic, it's bipartisan, it doesn't cost one dime to the American tax payers and reduces government regulation while allowing businesses to create more jobs, " Udall said. However, "this expanded authority is limited. It does not give ski areas carte blanche use of public lands. The primary activity in the permit area must remain skiing or other snow sports," Udall also said.
So what does this mean for the summer time use of public lands on ski areas?
"Mountain bike terrain parks, zip lines, frisbee golf courses, ropes courses and activities that are similar," Udall said, would be included on your local ski resort land waiting for usage during the summer months. Udall did smurk for a second while speaking, noting amusement and water parks were not included.
Udall stated that Coloradans would love to work year round in and around our mountain communities but are forced to take other jobs that insure them year round employment. He also noted that visa holders from foreign countries cover the winter months running the lifts and resort jobs depriving wanting-Americans to work year round instead of sesonal/temporary jobs. He said this bill will help create demand year round in the mountain towns.
"The ski areas tell me that it will actually help them recruit more Americans for jobs that currently go to foreign visa holders," Udall said. "Tourism and outdoor recreation is the number one economic driver for our state," Udall also said.
After passage of this bill in the Senate on October 18, Udall announced ski areas using public lands could in effect start planning for year-round activities during the shoulder seasons, mud-season as Coloradans would put it.
"Making it easier for our mountain resorts to attract tourists during the summer months will created jobs and add to the amazing quality of life Coloradans already enjoy," Sen. Bennet (D) speaking about the passage of the Enhancement Act said. "Senator Udall ought to be commended for his hard work to get this bill passed," Bennet also said.
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