Proposed bill seeks to sell 94,000 federal acres of land in Colorado; 3.3 million nationwide

WASHINGTON — A bill proposed by a Utah Congressman could see millions of acres of federal land to private owners if passed into law.

House Resolution 621 would see 3,368,278 acres of federal land in 10 states sold off to the public. Roughly 94,000 of those acres exist in Colorado.

According to the language of the bill, the highlighted land was studied in 1997 as part of the Agricultural Reform Act. The goal of which was identifying unreserved and unappropriated federal lands available for disposal or exchange to aid in the restoration of the Florida Everglades. 

The only thing that could prevent the sale of the land is defined as lack of legal access, mineral leases or mining claims on the property, habitat for threatened or endangered species, lands located in floodplains, lands associated with historical or cultural value, hazardous material or other contamination that exists on the property or whether survey/title problems are known. 

Each Colorado county listed in the proposed sale does check off one of the items in the list above. Included in the proposed sale are parcels in Yuma, Washington, Summit, San Miguel, Routt, Rio Blanco, Pueblo, Prowers, Park, Ouray, Otero, Morgan, Montrose, Montezuma, Moffat, Lincoln, Larimer, La Plata, Kiowa, Jackson, Huerfano, Gunnison, Grand, Garfield, Delta, Crowley, Bent, Baca and Archuleta Counties. 

Denver7 will continue to follow this bill as it makes its way through Washington. Denver7 has reached out to state representatives for their take on the bill and will post their as they respond.