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Colorado pushes to block fast-track sale of public lands
ColoradoBiz Staff //May 1, 2026//
In Brief:
- Sen. Michael Bennet introduces Public Lands Integrity Act
- Bill requires standard legislative process for public land sales
- Legislation blocks land sales via budget reconciliation process
- Co-sponsored by senators from Oregon and New Mexico
WASHINGTON — U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado introduced legislation aimed at preventing the sale of federal public lands through the Senate‘s budget reconciliation process.
The Public Lands Integrity Act would require any proposal to sell or transfer public lands to go through standard legislative procedures, rather than a simple majority vote under reconciliation rules.
The move follows a 2025 budget proposal that included a provision to sell between 1 million and 3 million acres of public land to generate federal revenue. That proposal was later dropped.
“Public lands make Colorado, Colorado,” Bennet said. “Congress must never use fast-tracked Senate procedure to sell Americans’ public lands to fund short-term spending.”
Under current rules, lawmakers can include land sale provisions in reconciliation bills, which are limited to budget-related measures and require only a simple majority to pass. Bennet’s bill would classify such provisions as “extraneous” under the Byrd Rule, allowing them to be removed unless they receive broader support.
Supporters said the change would make it harder to sell public lands without full debate, preserving them for long-term economic and environmental use.
Local officials across Colorado said public lands are central to rural economies, tourism and outdoor recreation. In some mountain counties, more than 80% of land is federally owned and supports industries such as recreation, agriculture and wildlife management.
The legislation is co-sponsored by senators from Oregon and New Mexico.
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