3 Reasons We’re Proud to Operate on Public Lands in Colorado

Welcome to the Wilderness. This is all part of your vast western estate.

Here at Budge’s Wilderness Lodge, we are proud to operate on public lands that belong to all Americans. Here are just three of the many reasons why:

1. Wild Places

Did you know, Colorado alone is home to about 24 million acres of federally managed public lands? Most of this is managed by the U.S. Forest Service and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). From grasslands and riparian areas on our the eastern prairies, to the highest peaks of the central Rockies, to the sagebrush flats and desert canyons on Colorado’s western slope, public lands contain, and provide access to, a wide range of landscapes.

These wild and scenic places belong to all of us. They are yours - to hunt, fish, hike, camp and enjoy. They're managed for multiple uses, providing everything from recreation to energy development.⁠

2. Wildlife Habitat

These landscapes provide immense value as fish and wildlife habitat. We enjoy robust wildlife populations today, thanks in large part to our country's unique public lands system, and thanks to funding generated by hunters and anglers, which provides the science, land acquisitions, protections, and public access.

Nowhere outside of North America, can you freely walk out onto millions of acres of your public lands, and enjoy such a rich and diverse array of native wildlife.

3. Community Impact

The outdoor recreation industry is responsible for $1.2 trillion in economic output nationwide. In Colorado alone, that number is $65.8 billion, generating more than 400,000 jobs in the state. Public lands are the backbone of our recreation economy. This includes hunting, fishing, skiing, biking, rafting, climbing, hiking and so many more that rely on public lands.

At Budge's Wilderness Lodge, we operate under special use permits on the White River National Forest, where we have the privilege of guiding guests on memorable wilderness adventures.⁠ There’s no greater joy in our job, than seeing the look of awe on a guest’s face as we ride horseback into the Flat Tops Wilderness, or take a moment to appreciate the intricate designs on a cutthroat trout.

We work extremely hard to help preserve the wild places, waters and wildlife that we may all enjoy. Every spring at our own expense, we plow the road allowing public access, and our crew clears the trails of a winter's worth of fallen trees.⁠ We report illegal use and poaching. Our neighboring outfitters do the same. In addition to the agencies that manage them, local small businesses, many in the outdoor recreation industry, are critical to the value of public lands.

Enjoying Your Public Lands

These resources aren’t here by accident. It takes dedicated funding and management. For that reason, we strongly support organizations like Backcountry Hunters and Anglers, Trout Unlimited, and the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation. Additionally, we work in close cooperation with Federal and State agencies like the U.S. Forest Service and Colorado Parks and Wildlife. If you are not already familiar with these organizations, we would strongly recommend getting to know them and giving them your support.

When it comes to your public lands and your wildlife, consider that decisions and impacts are made by those who show up. Whether it’s attending your state’s natural resources commission meeting to stand up on behalf of sound wildlife management, or calling your senator in Washington DC to stand up for public lands, remember that as hunters, anglers, and those who are passionate about wildlife and wild places, we’re in the best position to speak up on their behalf.