Mountain Communities Vow to Keep Fighting Public Lands Sell-Off

Mountain communities are vowing to continue fighting for public lands after continued efforts to try to force the sale of millions of acres of public lands to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy failed to be included in the House and Senate versions of the budget reconciliation process.

On June 28, Executive Director Anna Peterson said, “As millions of Americans and western communities have reminded people again and again over the past few weeks, public lands are bi-partisan, deeply revered, sustain our communities, power our economies, and serve as the cornerstone of our outdoor way of life. We must remain steadfast in our commitment to defending public lands, and continue to fight to make sure they remain where they belong forever: in public hands."

Senator Lee revised his legislative proposal(s) after the U.S. Senate parliamentarian ruled Lee’s scheme did not meet the criteria necessary to be included in the bill because it violates the Byrd Rule which prevents extraneous matters from being included in a reconciliation bill.

America’s cherished public lands are widely supported and create thousands of good-paying jobs while contributing billions of dollars to local rural economies. Anti-public lands Republicans’ cynical ploy would force the federal government to dispose of public lands by selling them off to wealthy individuals or developers who could lock up the land, depriving our communities of access to our favorite trails and recreation spots, wild places where we camp, hunt, fish, and enjoy nature and outdoors that belong to us all.
In the Spring of 2025, more than 315 current and former Western local elected officials, including mayors, county commissioners, and city council members, sent a letter to the Trump Administration and Congressional offices urgently calling for a more balanced approach to the management of our public lands and called on them to oppose the sale of public lands in the Budget Reconciliation Package.

Polling has consistently shown public lands hold overwhelming support from both the public and local elected officials. According to the 2024 Conservation in the West Poll, 72 percent of Western voters oppose removing protections on existing national public lands, and 85 percent of voters in the West – including 74 percent of Republicans, 87 percent of Independents, and 96 percent of Democrats – say issues involving clean water, clean air, wildlife and public lands are important in deciding whether to support an elected official.

MEDIA COVERAGE, LETTERS, and RESOLUTIONS

In response to the sell-off attempts, in just one week, many local governments across the West stood up for their public lands by passing resolutions or sending letters in support of public lands and against the sell-off language. These communities include Coconino County and the City of Flagstaff, Arizona; Town of Mammoth Lakes, Town of Truckee, and the City of Bishop, California; Boulder County, Routt County, Garfield County, along with the Town of Frisco, City of Aspen, and City of Steamboat Springs, Colorado; Blaine County, Idaho; Missoula County, the City of Missoula, Montana; the City of Bend, Oregon; Summit County, Utah; and Park County, Sublette County, and Teton County, Wyoming; among others.

They joined many communities who had also recently passed pro-public lands resolutions or sent letters to their federal delegation members. These communities include: Pima County, Arizona; the Colorado counties of La Plata, San Miguel, Pueblo, Gunnison, and Chaffee and cities/towns of Mancos, Nederland, Dolores, and Lyons, Colorado; along with other Western communities of Truckee, California and others. At least 15 more counties, towns, and cities are expected to review, and likely adopt, similar resolutions over the next 10 days.

ARIZONA

CALIFORNIA

COLORADO

IDAHO

MONTANA

OREGON

UTAH

QUOTES

ARIZONA

City of Flagstaff, Arizona Mayor Becky Daggett said, ”Public lands are integral to our identity and economy. Selling off these lands would demonstrate a marked lack of vision and a monumental misunderstanding about what the public values.”

Pima County, Arizona Supervisor Rex Scott said, “Public lands are the backbone of Arizona’s outdoor heritage, and the threat of selling these treasures off is simply unacceptable. America’s public lands support our outdoor recreation and tourism economies, and contribute to the health and well-being of our communities. They help shape the places we call home, while also ensuring a healthier, brighter future for generations to come, which is why we can’t afford to sell them off to the highest bidder.”

Coconino County Board of Supervisors Chair, Patrice Horstman said, “I am deeply alarmed and profoundly disappointed by the Senate’s proposal to sell off public lands. The Coconino County Board of Supervisors recently signed a resolution in support of our public lands- These lands are not tradable assets—they are the bedrock of our communities, economy, and heritage. Here in Coconino County, our public lands—spanning nearly five million acres—are essential to our identity and prosperity. From the grandeur of the Grand Canyon to the rich forests surrounding Flagstaff, these landscapes are not only sacred to Indigenous Peoples and wildlife—they are a vital economic engine. Tourism here generates nearly a billion dollars annually. Selling off our public lands would devastate ecosystems, displace wildlife, threaten Indigenous stewardship, and undermine the rural economies that rely on recreation, tourism, grazing, hunting, fishing, and cultural heritage. Those lands belong to all of us—not to be bargained away for short‑term political gain.”

CALIFORNIA

Town of Truckee, California Council Member Courtney Henderson said, “Protecting our public lands is critical to our way of life in the Sierra Nevada. Our local economies rely on our public lands to generate outdoor recreation and tourism opportunities and our communities rely on them for a multitude of uses - hiking, biking, hunting, fishing, connecting with nature, family, friends, and so much more. As taxpayers, we are the ones who have funded the preservation of these lands for decades. They are not for sale."

Nevada County Commissioner Hardy Bullock said, “Communities like ours depend on easily accessible public lands as a major pillar of our economy, and are a reason so many of us call this place home. Selling them off to the highest bidder would see significant long-term negative consequences for conservation, diminished Native American rights and cultural heritage sites, and reduced or eliminated public access to our treasured outdoor resources.”

COLORADO

Chaffee County, Colorado Commissioner, Gina Lucrezi said, “In Chaffee County, we will do everything possible to keep public lands in public hands. We will utilize a variety of policy power and creative levers to discourage or prevent any land sales. Public lands make up 80% of Chaffee County and are absolutely essential to our community's livelihood, way of life, and overall well-being. They drive our outdoor recreation economy, support local agriculture through grazing and water access, and provide opportunities for the community to connect with the land. Our public lands define our way of life, and we will not allow short-sighted Senators with absolutely atrocious ideas, take it away.”

Boulder County, Colorado Commissioner Ashley Stolzmann said, “From the tremendous environmental benefits to the economic and recreational opportunities, every person in the country benefits directly or indirectly from our collective public lands. Protecting natural resources and promoting healthy biodiversity is critical to intergenerational stewardship of our country and our individual communities. By protecting our public lands, we build a stronger America.”

Routt County, Colorado Chair, Board of County Commissioners Sonja Macys said, “We are proud to re-affirm Routt County’s longstanding commitment to keeping public lands in public hands. These lands support our agricultural producers and provide critical ecosystems services while simultaneously allowing for the numerous and varied recreational opportunities that our constituents value and that are integral to the quality of life we enjoy in Routt County.”

Chair of the Gunnison, Colorado County Board of County Commissioners Laura Puckett Daniels said, “Public Lands are critical for Gunnison’s economy, environment, and culture. From grazing, to recreation, to hunting and fishing, they are the backbone of what makes Gunnison and Colorado special. People flock here from all over the world for the beauty and opportunities afforded by public lands. In Gunnison, we’ve found a balance for timber production and energy development that keeps the lands in the public trust and continues to allow multiple uses to coexist. Public lands enjoy widespread, bipartisan support. They are one of our country’s greatest treasure and should be stewarded for future generations, not sold off for private profit.”

Town of Frisco, Colorado Mayor Rick Ihnken said, “No action is Approval.”

Superior, Colorado Councilmember Jenn Kaaoush said, “Our public lands are not for sale to the highest bidder. They are a legacy we hold in trust for future generations. You can’t put a price tag on clean air, wild spaces, and the soul of Colorado—this land belongs to the people, not profiteers.”

La Plata County, Colorado County Commissioner Marsha Porter-Norton said, "La Plata thrives on its public lands for everything — iconic views, water, recreation, economic opportunities for all, wildlife habitats, and so much more. The fact the current administration desires to put over 14M acres of these lands in Colorado on the chopping block is horrible. It's just plain wrong. Elected officials across the West are speaking out about this self-interested idea that is in direct contrast to sustaining healthy landscapes and economies that serve everyone, not just those who can afford to do real estate developments."

IDAHO

Blaine County, Idaho County Commissioner Angenie McCleary said, "Protected public lands and national monuments support our local economies, tourism, and outdoor recreation while providing certainty for our rural and gateway communities. Idahoans cherish and depend on our public lands but recent proposals in Congress threaten to sell off these irreplaceable treasures to the highest bidder. Blaine County strongly opposes any attempt to curtail protecting our nation’s most treasured landscapes which is why we recently passed a resolution supporting the protection of our public lands. We hope our leaders in Congress will vote to keep these lands where they belong: in public hands.”

City of Ketchum, Idaho Council Member Tripp Hutchinson said, “In other countries, hunting is an activity reserved for only the rich on privately-owned land - but here in America, we’re lucky that public lands belong to all of us, and are available for everyone to use and enjoy. But it takes care and resources to keep our public lands safe and accessible. I am urging Senators Crapo and Risch to treat America’s public lands as the important assets they are and to keep our Western hunting heritage alive and well by opposing any bill that would sell off our nation’s most precious resources.”

MONTANA

City of Missoula, Montana City Council Member Eric Melson said, "Missoula’s transformation from an industry town with smoke-choked skies to a thriving outdoor recreation hub is a testament to our community's commitment to conservation and smart growth. Today, our economy is driven by outdoor recreation; healthy rivers, clean air, and accessible public lands that define our identity and quality of life - but a few Republicans’ proposal to sell off those lands to pay for tax cuts for the rich puts all of that in danger. That's why the City of Missoula recently signed a resolution in support of our public lands. Protecting these assets isn’t just an environmental obligation—it’s an investment in our resident's future, and I urge Senators Daines and Sheehy to stand up and ensure public lands remain well-funded, well-managed, and open to all.”

City of Helena, Montana City Commissioner Andy Shirtliff said, “In Helena, our trails, rivers, and open spaces are part of what makes this community so special. They draw visitors from around the world and enrich the lives of everyone who calls Helena home. I am urging Senator Daines and Senator Sheehy to continue to oppose any proposal that would sell off public lands, and instead protect them through balanced, thoughtful solutions that keep public lands public not only today but for the generations to come.”

NEVADA

City of Reno, Nevada Council Member Devon Reese said, "Protected public lands, like national monuments, are hugely important to Nevadans and Renoites. Places like Avi Kwa Ame, Tule Springs Fossil Beds, Gold Butte, and Basin & Range national monuments bring us peace of mind, protect important cultural resources, and generate economic revenue. Protected places like these help sustain our state’s vital outdoor recreation economy, which is why and how so many of our small towns and businesses thrive. The vitality of our communities is linked to the health of our public lands, which is why I am so concerned about Congressional Republicans’ plans to sell off millions of acres of our public land to the highest bidder. We need our leaders to oppose this harebrained scheme and instead work to ensure more lands can be protected and more communities can benefit from the places they call home.”

Washoe County, Nevada Commissioner Alexis Hill said, “In Washoe County public lands are a key driver of our economy, and the backbone of our outdoor way of life. They provide our communities with clean air and water, create and support good-paying jobs, and give people space to be with nature. We should be doing more to protect and support our public lands, instead of selling them off to pay for tax cuts for the wealthy.”

OREGON

City of Bend, Oregon Mayor Mayor Melanie Kebler said, “While the proposal is framed as a housing initiative, it’s clear the primary goal is revenue generation—not solving our housing crisis. Selling off acres of public land, including areas near Bend, threatens the natural spaces that define our community and support our local economy through recreation and tourism. Our residents are not interested in sprawling into our beautiful surrounding area —they want affordable housing in places where jobs, schools, and amenities already exist. What cities like Bend need is not the loss of public lands, but direct federal support—funding for infrastructure and affordable housing programs that help us prioritize smart growth over land consumption.”

UTAH

Grand County Utah Commissioner Trish Hedin said, “Grand County is home to such national treasures as Arches and Canyonlands National Parks which are crucial to our economy, our recreational opportunities, and our physical and psychological well-being. I am deeply concerned that Republicans’ attempts to sell off protected public lands puts these irreplaceable places, and countless others like it across the West, at risk. We must ensure public lands remain open and accessible to the public, so these critical landscapes can continue benefiting communities like ours for years to come. "I am deeply discouraged as a citizen and representative of Utah that our own Mike Lee is at the root of these amendments."

Summit County, Utah County Councilor Megan McKenna said, “As Utahns, we love our public lands and in Summit County, we showed our support for keeping public lands in public hands by unanimously passing a public lands resolution. In the aftermath of political gun violence in Minnesota, Mike Lee demonstrated, once again, the kind of man he is. On the issue of public lands, he too fails to represent Utah values. Most Utahns want to see our public lands protected for future generations to enjoy. Our five national parks anchor our state’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy and bring millions of visitors each year to our state. Our public lands connect us with one another and with nature and provide critical water resources while supporting small businesses and creating good-paying jobs. It is not a partisan issue and is time we put people over party politics. We need to take the care and protection of our public lands seriously, which is why I am calling on Senator Lee and his supporters to abandon their scheme to sell of millions of acres of public land to pay for tax cuts for the rich, and instead give these critical landscapes the support they need to remain healthy and accessible for all Utahns to enjoy.”

WYOMING

Teton County, Wyoming, County Commissioner Len Carlman said, “The element of this scandal that would give local governments a right of first refusal to match a private party’s high bid to purchase public land that we already own is outrageous. In my county, which includes Jackson Hole, our local government would never have enough money to buy back the tracts of Snake River riparian land in the heart of our valley that are currently owned and managed by the BLM. Those lovely cottonwood gallery forest areas would make very attractive pretend cowboy properties for the billionaire class. Imagine how many pretty feathers they could stuff in their new cowboy hats. Senator Lee’s attack on our national heritage of public lands is disgraceful. It would be correct for the two US Senators from Wyoming and the US Representative to do what they have been saying for years and show respect for local communities and their elected officials. If we’ve been too subtle in our communication with them on this to date, (don’t worry, we haven’t been), here’s my version of our message: ‘We oppose this brainless sledgehammer approach to the sale of public lands in Teton County, Wyoming.’”