Bill would protect 68,000 acres along Colorado's Dolores River
Placed on the calendarS. 1787Latest action
Sponsor: Michael F. Bennet · Senator · CO
AIDecoded by AI · checked against the recordRead the official text
Official title: Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
119th Congress
Topics: Environment & energy
Introduced:
Read the official bill on Congress.govIn plain words
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The bill creates two protected areas along Colorado's Dolores River while safeguarding water rights, grazing, and tribal uses.
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What does this do?
The bill would create the Dolores River National Conservation Area (about 52,872 acres of BLM land) and the Dolores River Special Management Area (about 15,452 acres in San Juan National Forest). Both would protect scenic, recreational, wildlife, and cultural resources while limiting new roads and restricting motorized vehicles to designated routes. A 14-member citizen advisory council would help guide management plans.
Who does it affect?
The bill affects residents of Dolores, San Miguel, and Montezuma counties, including ranchers, farmers, landowners, rafters, hunters, and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. It also affects the Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, water districts, and energy companies holding uranium leases.
Why does it matter?
The designation would set new rules on road-building, motorized access, and land use, affecting how federal land managers, energy companies, and water districts operate going forward.
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Where does it stand?
- IntroducedMay 15, 2025
- Senate committee
- Senate voteYou are here · Jul 23, 2026
- House
- The president's desk
Right now: it was placed on the , and the official record shows no floor action on it since. If the House changes it, it goes back to the Senate before reaching the president.
Latest action: — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 480.