Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006

The Pitkin County Land Exchange Act of 2006 authorized a land swap between the federal government and Pitkin County, Colorado, to streamline land management and preserve open space. Under this law, the federal government transferred several parcels of National Forest and Bureau of Land Management land to the county in exchange for privately held land on Smuggler Mountain and other environmentally sensitive areas.

For local citizens, this exchange ensures that popular areas like the Crystal River parcel remain open for public recreation, wildlife conservation, and permanent open space. The law also secured a permanent easement for the "East of Aspen Trail," guaranteeing public access for hikers and cyclists while consolidating federal holdings into the White River National Forest to prevent future private development on those lands.