National Public Lands Day was a huge success in Colorado. This year for the first time, BLM Colorado had a Public Lands Festival in Bangs Canyon. The festival was targeted primarily toward middle and high school students, the purpose was to help them explore resources and opportunities available on public lands so they can develop an appreciation of the importance of public lands stewardship. Youth were given a “public lands passport” and given the opportunity to participate in a variety of hands on activities, such as throwing an atlatl, an ancient Native American hunting weapon, learning how to use a GPS device, rappelling, finding a telemetry collar used to track wildlife, and going on hikes exploring the area’s geology, biology, history, and more. Kids that got at least 6 stamps on their passports received a prize. Approximately 100 people attended and over a dozen community partners participated in the event by providing demonstrations and activities.
Colorado's 8.3 million acres of BLM public lands, along with 27 million acres of mineral estate, are concentrated primarily in the western portion of the State. The lands range from alpine tundra, colorful canyons, and mesas in the southwest, to rolling sage-covered hills in the northwest. These public lands play a vital role in providing open space and contribute to Colorado's quality of life.