S. 1787 · Where this bill is now
In committee
Introduced in the Senate, May 15, 2025
What this bill does
In plain words · AI-written from the official summaryProtects Dolores River area in Colorado
This bill sets up two protected areas along the Dolores River in Colorado, totaling about 68,000 acres of public land. The areas would be managed to preserve their natural beauty, recreation opportunities, and cultural significance. A management plan would be created for each area, and Native American tribes would be allowed to continue using the land for traditional ceremonies and gathering materials.
How it affects you
This mainly affects people who use the Dolores River area for recreation like hiking and rafting, as well as Native American tribes in the region. Parts of the area called Ponderosa Gorge would be managed to stay wild, meaning no new roads, motor vehicles, or commercial logging there. If you live elsewhere, this doesn't directly change your daily life, though it does affect how these public lands are managed going forward.
Read the official summary (Introduced in Senate, May 15, 2025)
Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
This bill establishes the Dolores River National Conservation Area and the Dolores River Special Management Area in Colorado to protect certain natural, recreational, scenic, cultural, historical, and other values of the areas.
The conservation area must consist of approximately 52,872 acres of Bureau of Land Management land. The special management area must consist of approximately 15,452 acres of federal land in the San Juan National Forest.
A management plan must be developed for each area. The bill directs the Department of the Interior to allow for the continued use of the areas by members of Indian tribes for traditional ceremonies and as a source of traditional plants and other materials.
Additionally, Interior must manage the portions of the areas identified as Ponderosa Gorge in a manner that maintains its wilderness character, including by prohibiting (1) road construction; (2) the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport; and (3) projects undertaken for the purpose of harvesting commercial timber.
Interior must also establish the Dolores River National Conservation Area Advisory Council.
Finally, the bill releases segments of the Dolores River inside the areas from further study for potential addition to the Wild and Scenic Rivers System.
Written by AI (Claude) using only the official summary by the Congressional Research Service, the Library of Congress’s nonpartisan research staff. It can miss nuance, so check the official summary and the bill text for details.
1st SessionS. 1787
A BILL
Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
Sponsor: Sen. Michael F. Bennet (D-CO) · Introduced May 15, 2025 · Public Lands and Natural Resources · 2 versions of the text
Sources: Congress.gov actions and votes · bill text from GovInfo · latest official action Jul 23, 2026: “Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 480.”
Sections
The wording of this bill hasn’t changed across its 2 official versions.