
Our Story
Inspired by the 100th anniversary of the National Park Service in 2016, the national Next 100 Coalition recognized the opportunity to kick off the next century of conservation and stewardship in America — one that protects our public land heritage for all to access and enjoy. On January 12, 2017, President Obama provided guidance to our nation’s public lands agencies on increasing the diversity and inclusion of the histories, cultures, knowledge and people represented in our public lands systems and designated three new national monuments: Freedom Riders National Monument, Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument and Reconstruction Era National Monument.
Next 100 Colorado was formed in 2017 by national members based in Colorado and is the first chapter specifically focused on statewide efforts. Next 100 Colorado focuses on workforce diversity (at land management agencies but also broadly across the conservation and outdoor recreation industries); ensuring equitable outdoor access for all people; and using our outdoor spaces to tell accurate, complex, uplifting, and healing stories about our state lands.