2014
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       
       SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION 14-022
       
       
       BY SENATOR(S) Baumgardner and Heath, Aguilar, Balmer, Brophy,
       Cadman, Crowder, Grantham, Guzman, Harvey, Herpin, Hill, Hodge,
       Jahn, Johnston, Jones, Kefalas, Kerr, King, Lambert, Lundberg, Marble,
       Newell, Nicholson, Renfroe, Rivera, Roberts, Scheffel, Schwartz,
       Steadman, Tochtrop, Todd, Ulibarri, Zenzinger, Carroll;
       also REPRESENTATIVE(S) DelGrosso and Becker, Buck, Buckner,
       Conti, Coram, Court, Dore, Duran, Everett, Exum, Fields, Fischer, Foote,
       Garcia, Gardner, Gerou, Ginal, Hamner, Holbert, Hullinghorst,
       Humphrey, Joshi, Kagan, Kraft-Tharp, Labuda, Landgraf, Lawrence,
       Lebsock, Lee, May, McCann, McLachlan, McNulty, Melton, Mitsch
       Bush, Moreno, Murray, Navarro, Nordberg, Pabon, Peniston, Pettersen,
       Primavera, Priola, Rankin, Rosenthal, Ryden, Saine, Salazar, Schafer,
       Scott, Singer, Stephens, Swalm, Szabo, Tyler, Vigil, Waller, Williams,
       Wilson, Wright, Young, Ferrandino, Sonnenberg.
       
       
          CONCERNING THE RECOGNITION AND COMMENDATION OF
       THE PEOPLE OF COLORADO AND THE UNITED STATES ON THE
       100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE ESTABLISHMENT OF ROCKY
       MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK. 
       
       
          WHEREAS, 100 years ago, groups of citizens and officials in
       Colorado displayed great foresight in recognizing the potential benefits
       of a national park in the southern Rocky Mountains; and
       
          WHEREAS, On January 26, 1915, President Woodrow Wilson signed
       the Rocky Mountain National Park Act, creating Rocky Mountain
       National Park (RMNP) in the state of Colorado; and
       
          WHEREAS, The fragile alpine tundra encompasses one-third of
       RMNP and is one of the largest examples of alpine tundra ecosystems
       preserved in the National Park System in the lower 48 states; and
       
          WHEREAS, RMNP serves as a place for visitors to enjoy 359 miles
       of hiking trails, 150 lakes, scenic drives, and extensive wildlife viewing;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, The National Park Service provides unique outdoor
       education within RMNP that provides visitors with opportunities to learn
       about the diverse park ecosystems, environmental stewardship, wilderness
       areas, and the principles of Leave No Trace; and
       
          WHEREAS, RMNP is an internationally recognized biosphere reserve
       with scientific interest and significance, where biological and cultural
       resources represent a natural laboratory of extraordinary diversity in
       which researchers can explore and make discoveries for the benefit of
       present and future generations; and
       
          WHEREAS, RMNP has a higher average altitude than any other
       national park in the United States, with at least 60 mountains higher than
       12,000 feet, including Longs Peak, which stands at a massive 14,259 feet;
       and
       
          WHEREAS, The Continental Divide runs through RMNP, and the
       park contains the headwaters of several river systems, including the
       Colorado River; and
       
          WHEREAS, Trail Ridge Road, RMNP's highway to the sky, spans 48
       miles, 11 miles of which are above treeline, and peaks at an astounding
       12,183 feet; and
       
          WHEREAS, Trail Ridge Road provides access to breathtaking views,
       an abundance of wildlife, and spectacular alpine wildflower exhibitions;
       is one of 10 America's Byways; and is a designated All American
       Roadway; and
       
          WHEREAS, On March 30, 2009, 95% of RMNP was designated as
       wilderness, thereby conferring the highest level of conservation
       protection for federal lands in order to protect the park's majestic terrain
       from future development; and
       
          WHEREAS, More than 170 million visitors have visited RMNP since
       its establishment in 1915, and the park continues to serve the people of
       Colorado, the United States, and the world with a place of outstanding
       natural beauty and refuge; and
       
          WHEREAS, The National Park Service will continue its long tradition
       of protecting and providing enjoyment to citizens with the wilderness,
       wildlife, and wonder found within RMNP, inspiring stewardship in future
       generations for the next hundred years and beyond; and
       
          WHEREAS, In 1909, reflecting on the beauty of RMNP, Enos Mills
       wrote, "In years to come when I am asleep beneath the pines, thousands
       of families will find rest and hope in this park"; and
       
          WHEREAS, More than one century later, RMNP is the most popular
       attraction in Colorado, drawing 3 million annual visitors to its 416 square
       miles of mountain beauty; and
       
          WHEREAS, This anniversary marks the celebration of more than 100
       years of work by many committed stakeholders, from the local
       communities to the federal government; now, therefore,
       
          Be It Resolved by the Senate of the Sixty-ninth General Assembly of
       the State of Colorado, the House of Representatives concurring herein:
       
          (1)  That the Colorado General Assembly:
       
          (a)  Honors the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Rocky
       Mountain National Park Act;
       
          (b)  Recognizes more than 100 years of work by many committed
       stakeholders, from local communities to the federal government; and
       
          (c)  Commends the National Park Service and so many Coloradans for
       their dedication to preserving this region of the southern Rocky
       Mountains for future generations.
       
                    Be it further resolved that copies of this Joint Resolution be sent to the
       National Park Service; the Board of Trustees of Grand Lake, Colorado;
       the Board of Trustees of Granby, Colorado; and the Board of Trustees of
       Estes Park, Colorado. 
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Morgan Carroll                       Mark Ferrandino
       PRESIDENT OF                    SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES
       
       
       
       
       
       
       ____________________________  ____________________________
       Cindi Markwell                        Marilyn Eddins
       SECRETARY OF                CHIEF CLERK OF THE HOUSE
       THE SENATE                        OF REPRESENTATIVES