Bipartisan bill instructs Biden administration to increase parking options, access to public transportation on federal land
WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Steve Daines recently introduced the More Parking, More Hiking Act, a bill designed to improve accessibility to outdoor recreation by increasing parking options and public transportation.
“Colorado’s national parks and monuments are a recreationist’s dream, we just need to make it easier for people to get there,” said Hickenlooper. “Our bill is simple: get people off the road, and into nature.”
“Montanans and visitors alike enjoy exploring hiking trails across our state but too often parking lots are full and trails are overcrowded when they arrive,” said Daines. “As an avid outdoorsman myself, I’m glad to help find a solution that would notify hikers of parking availability at the trailhead and encourage folks to try lesser-visited trails.”
The More Parking, More Hiking Act directs the Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of the Interior to develop partnerships with local and state governments, as well as private-sector companies, to find innovative solutions to increase access to federal lands. Proposed solutions include leasing non-federal lands for parking space and partnering with state and local governments on public transportation options to help people reach recreation areas. The legislation also proposes the use of new technologies, including trailhead cameras and data collection, to inform hikers and recreationists about parking availability at trailheads.
Colorado has been at the forefront of innovative public transportation and parking initiatives near multiple Colorado trailheads including a public shuttle to Quandary Peak Trailhead in Summit County, and trailhead cameras in Jefferson County.
The More Parking, More Hiking Act is supported by the Colorado Department of Natural Resources, The Conservation Alliance, Trust for Public Lands, Sheep Mountain Alliance, Rocky Mountain Wild, and Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors (HECHO).
Full text of the bill is available HERE.
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