About

Wolf Creek Pass needs your help to remain the beautiful area that you and thousands of others know and love. Out-of-state developers continue to pursue plans for a "Village" at Wolf Creek, a city of 8,000-10,000 people at the top of the Pass.

Current Status

We've been working for over 20 years to keep Wolf Creek Pass wild. Check out the current status.

Stay Up To Date

Sign up to receive emails to stay up to date on all things Wolf Creek Pass (choose Friends of Wolf Creek News).

Speak Out

Help us tell the developers and decision-makers why building a "village" for 10,000 people at Wolf Creek Pass is a bad idea.

Image is an abbreviated timeline of the HIstory of Wolf Creek. starting with the Land Exchange #1 and the USFS denying the exchange due to a "decrease in public value" in 1986. Then two weeks later, changing their decision without sufficient reasoning. Years later, in a legal settlement with Colorado Wild (now Rocky Mountain Wild), courts concluded that any highway access must have a USFS Environmental Impact Statement. Leavell-McCombs Joint Venture (LMJV) works with lobbyists to circumvent highway access to EIS requirements, but don't succeed. In 2004, Mineral County approves a proposed 8,000 person city for the land despite community concerns. The Courts deny approval due to the parcel's lack of highway access. The USFS finally drafts an EIS for LMJV to obtain highway access. Documents show collusion between developers and the USFS. Despite this, USFS approves and grants access. In 2006, Rocky Mountain Wild wins lawsuit #1 for the bogus EIS. The lawsuit requires a new EIS. Instead, LMJV proposes another land exchange that would give the developer a parcel of public land next to the highway, resolving the access problems. From 2009-2012, the USFS drafts another EIS for LMJV's new land exchange. The Draft and final EIS are inappropriately narrow, assessing the impacts of only the highway access and not the entire development. In 2014, the USFS fails to complete two Freedom of Information Act requests and Rocky Mountain Wild suses to obtain the desired public documents. Despite extensive flaws, the USFS approves the second EIS, giving LMJV the desired highway access. In 2015, Friends of Wolf Creek sues the USFS claiming that the land exchange approval was illegal because the EIS was illegal and failed to comply with independent review requirements. At the same time, Rocky Mountain Wild wins both FOIA lawsuits. In 2017, Friends of Wolf Creek wins the fourth lawsuit. A federal court invalidates the land exchange and describes the EIS as an "artful dodge." In 2019, without any public comment, the USFS approves an access alternative based on an Alaska land statute based entirely on the same EIS deemed legally insufficient. Rocky Mountain Wild files a FOIA lawsuit to get withheld documents behind the new access decision and wins the case. Friends of Wolf Creek sues the USFS over the latest access decision. In 2022, they win the access lawsuit. A federal judge in Colorado invalidates the Forest Service's 2019 access decision after finding the environmental review "flawed" and "legally deficient." In 2023, the Forest Service appeals the 2022 access decision to the 10th Circuit on behalf of the developers. In 2024, the 10th Circuit Court of Appeals overturns the lower courts' holdings, requiring the Forest Service to provide a right of way from Highway 160 to the private inholding for the Village's construction.

The Latest News

In April 2024, the 10th U.S. Circuit of Appeals reversed everything the district court took issue with and approved the Forest Service’s decision to provide road access using the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) law.

We are considering our next legal options, but we also wanted to share that there will be ample opportunities for us to participate in throughout the approval and permitting processes.

This is not the end of the road (no pun intended).

To help us prepare for the next steps, we’re asking you to help us ramp up outreach and organizing efforts!

Our first ask is that you share your statement of opposition for the development. We are collecting statements to share with decision-makers at all levels, to post on our website, and to share on social media to increase support for the protection of Wolf Creek Pass. Your statement can help us stop the destruction of this incredible natural resource and important wildlife corridor!

Submit your statement here! And be sure to share this action with your friends.

Please continue to follow this activity on our website or sign up for our action alerts to be notified when actions are available. 

Our Coalition

Meet the Friends of Wolf Creek Team
Rocky Mountain Wild

Rocky Mountain Wild

Rocky Mountain Wild is a 501(c)3 that works to protect, connect, and restore wildlife and wild lands in the Southern Rocky Mountain region.

San Juan Citizens Alliance

San Juan Citizens Alliance

The San Juan Citizens Alliance advocates for clean air, pure water, and healthy lands – the foundations of resilient communities, ecosystems and economies in the San Juan Basin.

San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council

San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council

San Luis Valley Ecosystem Council is a 501(c)3 that works to protect and restore the biological diversity, ecosystems, and natural resources of the Upper Rio Grande region, balancing ecological values with human needs.

Supporting Organizations

Supporting Organizations

Colorado Mountain Club, Defenders of Wildlife, EcoFlight, Great Old Broads for Wilderness, Rocky Mountain Recreation Initiative, Wildlands Network, Wilderness Workshop

Stay in Touch

Sign up for our newsletter, donate, or contact us.

Sign up to Receive Emails

Sign up to receive emails and we will periodically update you when there is news.

Like Us on Facebook

Like us on Facebook and keep up-to-date with all the latest news.

Donate to the Cause

Donate to the cause on GivingFuel. 

Contact Us