Support the Shred Act

For anyone who has ever strapped on a pair of skis, hiked a mountain trail, or spent time enjoying the beautiful landscapes of Eagle County, it’s clear that public lands are the lifeblood of our community. These lands are the foundation for our tourism-based economy, and they’re essential to our quality of life here in the Rockies. So, it’s time we talk about the Shred Act—an important piece of legislation currently making its way through Congress that deserves our attention, and more importantly, our support.

The Ski Hill Resources for Economic Development (Shred) Act is designed to ensure that ski areas operating on U.S. Forest Service lands reinvest a portion of their profits back into the public lands they depend on. Specifically, the Shred Act would require a portion of the fees generated by ski resorts on federal land to be reinvested locally, directly benefitting the Forest Service and the mountain communities that host these resorts. It’s a straightforward concept: reinvest where you recreate.

Right now, ski resorts pay fees to the federal government based on their operations on public land, yet these funds are often absorbed into the general federal budget instead of being allocated to the lands and communities that make skiing possible. The Shred Act changes that by directing these funds back to the U.S. Forest Service in the regions where they were generated, helping address the challenges that come with high visitation and ensuring our public lands are protected for future generations.

The challenges facing our local forests aren’t small, and neither are the stakes. Each year, millions of people visit the White River National Forest, which is one of the busiest in the country. Increased traffic places a strain on resources, contributes to wear and tear on trails and demands more from our local forest service teams, who are often stretched thin. With the Shred Act, we’d see a greater level of maintenance, protection, and improvement in our forests, which in turn keeps visitors coming back and preserves the natural beauty that defines Eagle County.

Beyond environmental protection, this legislation is about creating a more sustainable model for our economy. The Shred Act’s reinvestment could help support infrastructure improvements, trail maintenance, wildfire mitigation efforts, and educational programs on responsible recreation—critical components for a community that relies heavily on tourism and outdoor recreation for jobs and revenue. This isn’t just a win for our environment; it’s a win for our local economy, workforce, and way of life.

The beauty of the Shred Act lies in its simplicity. We’re not looking at raising taxes or asking residents to bear additional financial burdens. Instead, we’re looking at a system where the people and companies who profit from public lands contribute directly to their upkeep and sustainability. It’s an approach that works for everyone: visitors benefit from well-maintained lands, the local economy benefits from sustainable tourism, and the Forest Service gets the resources it needs to support our beloved landscapes.

Given the revenue-generating power of Colorado’s ski industry and the overwhelming draw of our mountain landscapes, it only makes sense to invest a portion of these earnings into the very resources that generate them. This is a rare opportunity for Congress to pass bipartisan legislation that respects both economic realities and environmental needs.

In a time when national politics can feel polarized, the Shred Act is a reminder that there are still issues that unite us. Protecting our public lands and supporting our local economies isn’t a partisan issue; it’s a shared goal for everyone who values these spaces. By passing the Shred Act, Congress can ensure that ski fees make their way back to Eagle County and other mountain communities across the country.

Chris Romer is president & CEO of Vail Valley Partnership, the regional chamber of commerce. Learn more at VailValleyPartnership.com