From Gold King Basin

Aaron Johnson - Oct 11, 2006 11:54 pm - Hasn't voted

Colorado is notorious for "inholdings" in which private property owners have land within or bordering National Forest Boundaries. The land (or "mining claim") is often owned long before the National Forest or wilderness area has been established, or it is acquired in some inequitable trade (in which we the taxpayers get screwed) for other land deep within a wilderness area. It happens fairly often in Colorado. Often their ownership dates back through generations of their family line, and as the wealth is transmitted down through the lineage, folks are able to do this. Such a controversial sitiuation is currently playing out with the Silver Pick Basin approach to Wilson Peak, going on two years, now. See the Wilson Peak page under RED TAPE for details. A number of Colorado's popular 14er peaks are embroiled in similar controversies.

Colorado has always been big on private property and any kind of wilderness designation is very controversial and generally resisted. Money talks in this state. Big time.

Utah and Montana are substantially different in their approach and I find them refreshing to visit. Meanwhile, Colorado is destined to see more contentious situations concerning private property v.s. public lands because it is very unlikely the attitude in this state will change. I've always maintained if you want to learn how NOT to manage your public lands well, look no further than Colorado. There is no better example.