Hermosa Creek

Between Durango, the Dolores River, and Purgatory Ski Area lies the largest Roadless Area in Colorado. The Hermosa Creek watershed is an incredible wild backcountry that holds Outstanding Waters (the highest standard for surface water quality that the state anoints), native cutthroat trout, some of the largest conifers in Colorado, valuable big game habitat, and a diversity of trails for all user types.

SUCCESS!

In 2008 the regional community group, the River Protection Workgroup, was organized to address local watershed protection and water resource issues. The Hermosa Creek Workgroup was formed specifically to consider protections for the Hermosa Creek watershed. After six years of meetings, collaboration, and compromise among dozens of stakeholder groups, the Workgroup submitted the Hermosa Creek Watershed Protection Act to Congress. President Obama signed the Act into law in December 2014 following supportive votes in the Senate and House. The substance of the bill was built from the ground up and fully embodies a true collaborative process. Compromises were made and everyone walked away confident that Hermosa Creek and its uses and wonders will be preserved for lifetimes to come. 

Thank You

This legislation passing is a HUGE accomplishment for hundreds of local citizens who participated in the process, from the Hermosa Workgroup, to designing the legislation, to endorsing the Act, to lobbying for support, and even traveling to Washington to promote the Act.

Moving Forward

With the legislation complete, the San Juan National Forest is now drafting a management plan to implement the Act. Thanks to all who submitted comments on the Initial Draft of the plan! We’ll let you know when the next round of public input is requested.