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0023B6 ST, LOUIS/VASQUEZ PE1\KS Statistics Jurisdiction: Arapaho National Forest (administered by Routt National Forest), US Forest Service RARE II Invent~ied Roadless Area: 37,230 acres Wilderness St~ Area/Further Planning Area: 25,600 acres RARE II Recommendation: 16,430 acres plus FPA acreage 12,800 acres 24,160 acres 24,160 acres Reagan Administration Recommendation: State of Colorado Recommendation: Conservationists' Recommendation: Location The St. Lo~/Vasquez Peaks proposed wilderness area lies approximately EO miles west of Denver, and nine miles south of Fraser in Gran! County. The area consists of the Vasquez Peak WSA and the St. Louis Peak FPA. ~ilderness ~ties The St. Louis ~d Vasquez Peaks straddle the Continental Divide within the spectacular Vasquez Mountains. The area generally consists of h~, rugged peaks above timberline, with forests of spruce and s~lpine fir in the lower drainages. Both the WSA and FPA are an extremely important recreational resource to tlre rapidly expanding Front Range communities of Colorado. The demand for non-motorized recreation has increased dramatically aser the past decade and areas such as the Indian Peaks WilderMSs near Denver are greatly overcrowded. The St. Louis/Vasquez leaks Wilderness could relieve the pressure on Front Range recreation where the demand for primitive wilderness recreation.exoeeds the available supply. The scenic and recreational values of this area are essential assets to thelocal economy. The beauty and naturalness of the land have attacted both visitors and investors to this part of Grand County. Wildlife specDs which abound in the proposed wilderness include big game an~ such as elk, mule deer, black bear, and the newly introduced ~tain goat. In addition, the St. Louis/Vasquez Peaks area lies in the heart of the range for lynx; the animals have been knOWE to frequent the Empire area. Resource Info~tion Little commercial timber exists in the area, as much of the WSA and FPA lie wtthin the alpine zone. More accessible locations for 26