The upcoming federal budget debate in the U.S. Senate could include efforts to remove protections for federal lands, says Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet.
He’s concerned that some lawmakers will try to add provisions to the budget to remove federal protections for public lands in Colorado and around the country. But Bennet said he will oppose any such efforts.
"It’s critical for us to preserve these lands for our kids and grandkids just as our grandparents preserved them for us," said Bennet.
Republicans who propose transferring control of public lands to state governments say it would save the federal government the money it spends to manage them.
Another move in Congress could restrict the use of the Antiquities Act, which President Obama has used to create two National Monuments in Colorado.
"Chimney Rock in southwest Colorado and Brown’s Canyon in the Arkansas River Valley both had strong local support and bipartisan backing, but Congress wasn’t moving," Bennet noted.
