Our public lands are not a rich man’s GAME. Stop the GAME Act. 

For decades, my family, friends, and countless community members have accessed a small yet cherished strip of public land in Colorado, fostering a deep bond with nature and each other. This land has provided a safe haven for outdoor activities and quiet contemplation. However, this treasured piece of our heritage is under threat by the GAME Act, a proposal that could drastically alter our landscape.

The GAME Act seeks to facilitate a land swap that would give a wealthy, covetous, private landowner control over this public asset, stripping the community of access and undermining the intent of public lands as a collective resource. This land, currently accessible to anyone, stands as a symbol of what public land truly should be: open, shared, and untampered by private interests.

This land swap, if approved, would restrict access to tens of thousands of acres of BLM and Forest Service. Myself and many others use this parcel to access that additional land. The land proposed to be swapped does not have the same resources as the current public property. That land is steep, barren, and does not provide meaningful access to additional public land. Proponents of this bill advocate for this swap opening access to an expansive area of BLM. This is false, that land already has access. This swap would be accepting land valued millions below the current public land.  Not to mention, the owner of Out of Bounds Ranch who is proposing this swap has not even acquired the land being proposed for exchange. 

It’s crucial for the spirit of Colorado and the rights of its citizens to retain free access to beautiful, natural settings which belong to everyone, not just those with financial power. Public lands contribute significantly to our quality of life, providing clean air, recreation, and mental health benefits. Data from the Outdoor Industry Association shows that outdoor recreation generates $28 billion annually for Colorado's economy and supports over 229,000 jobs. Restricting access will not only destroy local communities' traditions but also establish a dangerous precedent that could impact any public lands we currently enjoy.

Moreover, swapping this land doesn’t even align with our environmental and communal values. Public land advocates have raised alarms over the environmental consequences of the GAME Act, citing potential harms to local ecosystems and endangered species habitats. Advocates for the GAME Act cite this will provide access to other areas that has been under private control. These areas do not harbor the same intrinsic, wildlife, and public value that the current public lands do. It's imperative to act now and stop this bill from proceeding further in the legislative process.

We propose keeping the existing public land rights intact and exploring alternative measures to appease landowners without dispossessing the public of cherished spaces. Engaging in discussions with community stakeholders and evaluating existing land use effectively will prevent hasty decisions that cannot be reversed. This Act is not for the public’s benefit. It is for an individual who already owns hundreds of acres of land to build control of additional land adjacent to his main residence. 

Public records indicate this bill has not been proposed to congress yet. However the bill has approval from the Garfield County Commissioners. Public records also indicate the owners of the Out of Bounds ranch, Scott Smith, and his wife, Tiffany Smith, both made a maximum personal contribution to Jeff Hurd’s reelection campaign. Is Congressman Hurd proposing this for public benefit or the benefit of a campaign donor?  

Join us to voice our concerns and take a stand against this unfair land swap. Sign this petition now to urge legislators to reject the GAME Act and preserve our shared natural heritage for current and future generations.

The land is ours; let's keep it that way.