Michael Bennet (D-CO)
Dolores River National Conservation Area and Special Management Area Act
A Democratic bill with 1 Democratic cosponsor · See the cosponsor
Last activity — Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 480.
Cleared committee, waiting for its first floor vote
A committee approved it and it is on the calendar of the chamber it started in.
This is further than most bills get, and still no promise of a vote: the calendar is a queue, and the majority leadership decides what is called. A bill can sit here until the Congress ends.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- On Calendar
What this bill would do
This bill establishes the Dolores River National Conservation Area and the Dolores River Special Management Area in Colorado. The legislation aims to conserve and protect various natural, cultural, and recreational resources within these designated areas. It includes provisions for creating an advisory council to assist in management planning. Additionally, the bill addresses technical modifications to the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System. It also includes specific protections for existing private water rights and other interests. Finally, the act outlines management rules for land use, including restrictions on motorized vehicles and road construction.
Yes· 3 of 7
- Scored +8
Does this better protect air, water and wildlife?
The bill establishes conservation areas to protect natural, cultural, and ecological resources.
- Scored +7
Would Native Americans be better off under this?
The bill protects treaty rights and allows for traditional ceremonial and plant use by Indian Tribes.
- Scored +7
Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests?
The bill establishes formal management plans and an advisory council for the Dolores River areas.
The opposite
- Scored -5
Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced?
The bill withdraws land from mineral and geothermal leasing.
- Scored -3
Does this repair or build roads and bridges?
The bill restricts new road construction within the designated conservation areas.
- Scored -2
Would business owners be better off under this?
The bill restricts mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing activities.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Resource Conservation: The bill aims to protect native fish, whitewater boating, recreation, hunting, fishing, and various other natural and cultural resources (Section 101(b) and Section 201(b)).
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Collaborative Management: The creation of the Dolores River National Conservation Area Advisory Council allows diverse stakeholders—including agricultural, conservation, and recreation interests—to advise on management plans (Section 103(a)).
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Tribal Access: The Secretary is directed to allow members of Indian Tribes to continue using the covered land for traditional ceremonies and as a source of traditional plants and materials (Section 404(b)).
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Private Property Access: The bill ensures that the Secretary will grant reasonable and feasible access through covered land to any private property if existing routes are blocked by physical barriers (Section 401(e)).
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Water Right Protections: The act explicitly states that it does not affect any existing water rights decreed under State law or the use and control of water rights in existence on the date of enactment (Section 402(d)).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Motorized Use: The use of motorized vehicles will be restricted to designated routes, except for administrative or emergency purposes (Section 401(a)).
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Road Construction Limitations: The Secretary is prohibited from constructing any new permanent or temporary roads within the covered land, except for specific administrative, public health, or private property access needs (Section 401(a)).
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Mining and Mineral Restrictions: The bill withdraws the land from entry, appropriation, or disposal under public land laws, as well as from the operation of mineral leasing and geothermal leasing laws (Section 401(b)).
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Strict Land Use in Ponderosa Gorge: In certain areas identified as Ponderosa Gorge, the use of motor vehicles, motorized equipment, or mechanical transport is prohibited, except for specific administrative or ecological restoration needs (Section 401(h)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Native Americans be better off under this? — The bill protects treaty rights and allows for traditional ceremonial and plant use by Indian Tribes. Would farmers be better off under this? — The bill protects existing water rights and includes agricultural water user interests in the advisory council. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill provides for recreational and agricultural interests essential to the local region. Would business owners be better off under this? — The bill restricts mining, mineral, and geothermal leasing activities.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this give the federal government more power? — The bill designates federal conservation and management areas. Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires public meetings and makes maps and legal descriptions available for inspection.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this better protect air, water and wildlife? — The bill establishes conservation areas to protect natural, cultural, and ecological resources. Does this better protect public land such as parks and forests? — The bill establishes formal management plans and an advisory council for the Dolores River areas. Does this reduce how much oil, gas and coal is produced? — The bill withdraws land from mineral and geothermal leasing. Does this repair or build roads and bridges? — The bill restricts new road construction within the designated conservation areas.
- 7/23/2026
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Reported by Senator Lee without amendment. Without written report.
- Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 480.
- 12/17/2025
- Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.
- 5/15/2025
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in Senate
John HickenlooperDemocrat · Colorado