← Back to Bills
HR 1576107th CongressSigned into LawHouse

James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area Act

Policy Area: Public Lands and Natural Resources
View on Congress.gov
Origin Chamber
House
Last Updated
Mar 24, 2026
Latest Action Date
Aug 21, 2002

Latest Action

Became Public Law No: 107-216.

Official Summary

James Peak Wilderness, Wilderness Study, and Protection Area Act - Amends the Colorado Wilderness Act of 1993 to designate specified lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as the James Peak Wilderness.Amends the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area and Arapaho National Recreation Area and the Oregon Islands Wilderness Area Act to add specified Federal lands in the Arapaho National Forest to the Indian Peaks Wilderness Area.Designates specified lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as the James Peak Protection Area. Directs the Secretary of Agriculture to: (1) maintain such Area's existing wilderness character and potential for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System; and (2) report to Congress on the suitability of such lands for inclusion in the System.Sets forth provisions regarding the acquisition of lands within: (1) the Protection Area owned by the Colorado State Land Board; and (2) the portion of the Jim Creek drainage within such Area.Directs the Forest Supervisor of the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests to establish a trailhead and corresponding facilities and services to regulate use of National Forest System lands in the vicinity of the Fall River basin south of the communities of Alice Township and St. Mary's Glacier in Colorado.Directs the Secretary, if requested, to provide technical assistance (and to otherwise cooperate) in the repair of Rollins Pass road in Grand, Gilpin, and Boulder, Colorado Counties.

GovScope Watchdog™

AI Government Intelligence™
Executive Summary

This bill amends existing wilderness legislation to designate specific lands in Colorado's Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as the James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain the wilderness character of these lands and report on their suitability for inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System. The bill also includes provisions for land acquisition, trailhead establishment, and technical assistance for road repair in the region.

Bottom Line

The bill designates new wilderness and protection areas in Colorado and sets management and reporting requirements to preserve their natural character.

Policy Risk Level
🟡 Medium
Neutral Risk Assessment
Key Points
  • Designates specified lands in the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests as the James Peak Wilderness and Protection Area.
  • Requires the Secretary of Agriculture to maintain wilderness character and report to Congress on potential inclusion in the National Wilderness Preservation System.
  • Directs establishment of trailhead facilities and provides for technical assistance in road repair within specified Colorado counties.
Who Benefits?

Federal land management agencies, local communities near the designated wilderness areas, outdoor recreation users, and conservation interests may benefit from the protections and infrastructure improvements outlined in the bill.

Potential Concerns

Implementation may involve costs related to land acquisition, trailhead development, and road repair assistance. The bill does not specify funding sources or detailed timelines. Balancing public access with wilderness preservation could present management challenges.

Political Context

The bill falls under the Public Lands and Natural Resources policy area, originated in the House during the 107th Congress, and has been enacted into law as of August 21, 2002.

Hidden Impact Review

No hidden impact flags detected

GovScope reviewed 11 policy-risk categories. Hover for a quick definition. Click detected flags for bill-specific details.

Clear Review
Categories Reviewed — Not Detected
Broad agency authority
New regulatory authority
Privacy concerns
Spending increases
Criminal penalties
Civil liability
Unfunded mandates
Executive discretion
Missing sunset provisions
Cross references
Hidden implementation costs
Indirect Effects

The designation of wilderness and protection areas may influence local land use, recreation patterns, and conservation efforts. Infrastructure improvements like trailheads and road repairs could affect access and environmental impact in the region.

GovScope Watchdog Notes

The full bill text is not provided, limiting detailed analysis of specific provisions. Citizens may want to review how land acquisitions and technical assistance are funded and managed. Monitoring the Secretary of Agriculture's reports to Congress could provide insight into the effectiveness of wilderness preservation efforts.

Passage Likelihood: HighConfidence: 75%Model: gpt-4.1-mini

GovScope Intelligence Roadmap

Future bill intelligence will connect sponsors, committee referrals, related votes, campaign finance, disclosures, and stock trades into one legislative intelligence view.

Enterprise Ready