Press Releases

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman and Mr. David Nickum discussing the Land and Water Conservation Fund.

Aurora, CO– Today, U.S. Representative Mike Coffman (R-Aurora) was recognized by the Colorado chapter of the National Wildlife Federation for his strong support for the reauthorization of the soon-to-expire Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF).  Grants from the LWCF have been an important part of Colorado's conservation and outdoor recreation efforts for several decades. Coffman is a co-sponsor of HR. 502,“To Permanently Reauthorize the Land and Water Conservation Fund”. The LWCF is from revenue from a small fraction of the royalty payments to the federal government from offshore oil and gas development.

“I am proud to support the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. The funding will help states protect their natural treasures and wildlife for generations to come. This bill not only has an important environmental impact, but it is also important to Colorado’s economy in promoting outdoor recreation,” said Coffman.

Leaders from the Colorado Wildlife Federation and Colorado Trout Unlimited joined Coffman at the trailhead of the West Toll Gate Creek Trail in Aurora, a key segment in its trail system that has received substantial support from a federal grant from the LWCF.

“The Land and Water Conservation Fund has been vitally important to the people and wildlife of Colorado, and will continue to be key as Colorado's outdoor recreational demands likely keep pace with our population's projected growth from 5.6 million to 8.8 million by 2050," said Suzanne O’Neill, executive director of Colorado Wildlife Federation. She added, “We applaud Representative Mike Coffman for his active support for this important and successful program.”

The Land and Water Conservation Fund has provided nearly $270 million to help develop Colorado's open spaces and community parks.  It has also improved access to non-motorized trails from locations in the Rocky Mountain National Park to the White River National Forest. This Fund will also help to ensure that outdoor recreational access expands as the state's population continues to increase.

"From trails and parks along the Front Range, to expanding angling and hunting access on the west slope, the Land and Water Conservation Fund has invested millions of dollars into Colorado's great outdoors," said Colorado Trout Unlimited Executive Director David Nickum. "We thank Representative Mike Coffman for supporting reauthorization of LWCF, and urge the rest of our Congressional delegation to join him to ensure that this successful program doesn't expire after September." 

Background on the LCWF spending in Colorado: Colorado has received approximately $268 million in LWCF funds investment since the program was established by Congress in 1964. There is no cost to the US taxpayer as the revenues come from a small portion of the royalties on offshore oil and gas development. According to the Outdoor Industry Association, outdoor recreation generates $28 billion in consumer spending per year in Colorado and supports 229,000 jobs, which generate $9.7 billion in wages and salaries, and produces $2 billion annually in state and local tax revenue.  More than 70 percent of Coloradans engage in outdoor recreation. If LWCF is not reauthorized by September 30 it will expire. The impact to Colorado's robust outdoor recreation economy will be significant and state and community projects will be affected.

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