Western voters across party lines are concerned about rollbacks of protections for land, water, and wildlife, as well as cuts to funding for public land management, according to Colorado College’s 16th annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll. The poll found that 84 percent of Western voters say the rollbacks are a serious problem, a sharp increase from prior years.

The poll surveyed voters in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming, finding that respondents are prioritizing conservation, recreation, and renewables over fossil fuel development heading into this year's midterm elections. For example, 85 percent of the poll’s respondents say issues involving public lands, waters, and wildlife are important in deciding whether to support a public official. Rural voters and sportsmen were especially likely to say that conservation issues are “very important” in how they view elected officials.

Seventy percent of respondents oppose fast-tracking oil, gas and mining projects on national public lands by reducing environmental reviews and local public input. Additionally, 72 percent of Westerners prefer expanding renewable energy over drilling and mining for more fossil fuels. When asked to prioritize energy sources, voters across party lines selected solar as their top choice, while coal was the least desired, with only 7 percent of respondents listing coal as a first or second priority.

The poll also found that 89 percent of Democrats and 62 percent of Republicans want their Member of Congress to prioritize conservation over energy on public lands. This is a significant increase for Republicans, as just seven years ago only 48 percent of respondents indicated the same.

Recent funding cuts also have voters across the board worried. The cuts have reduced the number of firefighters, park rangers, scientists, and other employees working to protect public lands, water, and wildlife over the last year. Eighty-six percent of voters are concerned about the cuts, including 75 percent of MAGA supporters.

“At a time of growing pressure on land and water in the West, the call to action from voters is clear and bipartisan: Westerners want funding and stewardship for public lands and natural resources,” said Ian Johnson, director of strategic initiatives & sustainability at Colorado College.