National Park Trust Honors Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2nd District) With 26th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2026

Washington, D.C. (June 5, 2026) – On June 3rd, National Park Trust honored Congressman Joe Neguse (CO-2) with the 26th Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award in Washington, DC. This prestigious national award recognizes an elected official for their exemplary service, skill, and innovation in protecting and preserving our country’s public lands and waters.

National Park Trust celebrated Congressman Neguse’s dedication to conservation and his championing of public lands both nationwide and in his home state of Colorado. As the Ranking Member of the Federal Land Subcommittee, his dedicated leadership has resulted in the creation of the Amache National Historic Site, three bills to expand or improve Rocky Mountain National Park, the Platte River Recovery Extension Act to protect important Colorado wildlife, sponsorship of the CORE Act to expand National Forest wilderness in Colorado, the establishment of a boundary for the National Park Service’s Curecanti National Recreation Area, and sponsorship of multiple acts to protect the National Park Service and public land management agency staffing.

Congressman Neguse has also sponsored and supported multiple bills to expand and enhance public lands and recreation and engage young people with our parks, including the EXPLORE Act, Outdoor Legacy Recreation Program, 21st Century Conservation Corps Act, and Every Kids Outdoors Program.

“Colorado’s public lands are part of the spirit of our great state, and I believe there has never been a more important time to stand up for protecting and preserving these treasured spaces for future generations. As a kid growing up in the West, spending time outdoors was an integral part of my life—and my appreciation for our public lands is something I’ve proudly carried with me during my time in Congress, fighting to advance legislation that safeguards our nation’s lands, waters, and natural resources. I’m honored to receive this year’s Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award for this work and will continue advancing proposals that act in the best interest of all of our hunters, ranchers, fishermen, recreationists, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts.”

Congressman joe neguse (CO-2), ranking member of federal land subcommittee

“National Park Trust is proud to recognize Congressman Joe Neguse with the bipartisan Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award. He joins a distinguished group of leaders from both parties whose commitment to conservation has strengthened our nation’s parks and public lands. His dedication to protecting these treasured places makes him a deserving recipient of this honor.”

Scott stone, board chair of the national park trust

“U.S. Representative Joe Neguse is a tireless advocate for our public lands, national parks, and water resources. His wisdom and passion plus his fierce determination to protect our most treasured assets merit great and celebrated recognition.” 

Sue Vento, National Park Trust Advisory Board Member

National Park Trust established the Bruce F. Vento Public Service Award in 2001 to honor the memory and legacy of Bruce F. Vento, a twelve-term Minnesota congressman and former chair of the National Resources Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests, and Public Lands. As a dedicated environmentalist, Vento championed more than 300 bills protecting our nation’s public lands and water. 

Past recipients include:

All proceeds from the Vento Award event benefit the Park Trust’s mission and programs.

ABOUT NATIONAL PARK TRUST

National Park Trust’s mission is to preserve parks today and create park stewards for tomorrow. Since 1983, the Park Trust has acquired many of the missing pieces of our national parks, benefiting 58 national park sites across the country. Our national youth education and family initiatives, including our Buddy Bison, College Ambassador, and Military Family Programs, as well as National Kids to Parks Day, serve tens of thousands of children annually and cultivate future park stewards. We believe our public parks, lands, and waters should be cared for, enjoyed, and preserved by all for current and future generations. Find out more at parktrust.org.

Media Contact: Emma Hartlaub at [email protected]