Rep. Jeff Crank, a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Colorado, announced on March 26, 2026, via his social media account that the PLARA bill aims to reinstate an “open unless posted closed” policy for public lands managed by the US Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management (BLM), with exceptions for Wilderness and National Park Service lands. In his first post, Crank stated: “PLARA restores the traditional ‘open unless posted closed’ policy on US Forest Service and BLM lands, excluding Wilderness and National Park Service lands.” (March 26, 2026).
In a follow-up message published moments later, Crank emphasized that the legislation is designed to ensure equitable access to public lands: “This bill provides fair, transparent access so Coloradans and all Americans can continue to enjoy their public lands.” (March 26, 2026).
Further elaborating on the bill’s provisions in a third post, Crank explained: “Public land closures must be justified under resource protection or public safety, must be clearly posted, and must be reviewed every 5 years. This is a big win for states like Colorado, where recreational use of our public lands is part of our daily lives.” (March 26, 2026).
The PLARA proposal comes amid ongoing debates over access rights and management policies for federal lands in Colorado and across the United States. Public land use has been a recurring issue as communities balance conservation efforts with recreational activities.
