Recent surveys reveal strong bipartisan backing for national monuments and Tribal stewardship across Utah and the Mountain West
For our second Bears Ears Bulletin blog post, we want to share the findings of two recent polls: a statewide survey commissioned by the Grand Canyon Trust and conducted by New Bridge Strategy, and the 15th annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll from Colorado College. These polls provide a clear picture of strong bipartisan support for land conservation and Tribal leadership in public lands management.
For years, opponents of the Bears Ears National Monument have claimed that Utahns, or “locals,” do not support Bears Ears and other protected landscapes. However, recent polling paints a very different picture. The results are clear: a strong majority of Utah voters – across political, geographic, and demographic lines – support the continued protection of Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monuments and believe that Tribes should have a central role in managing their ancestral lands.
At a time when political divisions often dominate the conversation, this bipartisan consensus is striking. Utahns overwhelmingly value public lands and recognize the importance of Tribal-informed conservation. As reported in the survey, even self-identified MAGA voters support policies that focus on the protection and conservation of public lands and oppose policies that would open public lands up to drilling, mining, or other development. These findings show that support for protecting Bears Ears is strong across partisan lines.
A recent statewide survey conducted by New Bridge Strategy reveals overwhelming support among Utah voters for national monuments, particularly Bears Ears and Grand Staircase-Escalante, and underscores the importance of Tribal involvement in land management. Additionally, Colorado College’s 15th annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll further confirms that Western voters – across eight Mountain West states (Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming) – prioritize conservation and Tribal leadership over extractive development.
Key Findings of the New Bridge Strategy Survey
Presidential Authority: 75% of Utah voters support the president’s ability to designate public lands as national monuments. This support spans various demographics:
- Gender: 71% of men and 79% of women.
- Age Groups: 85% of voters aged 18-34, 73% of those 35-44, 67% of 45-54-year-olds, 69% of 55-64-year-olds, and 74% of voters aged 65 and above.
- Geographical Regions: 83% in the Salt Lake area, 86% in other Wasatch Front areas, 72% in Utah County, and 75% across the rest of the state.
- Political Affiliation: 98% of Democrats, 82% of independents, and 65% of Republicans.
Support for Existing Monuments: Nearly 65% of voters favor maintaining the current number and size of national monuments. This sentiment is shared across party lines:
- 96% of Democrats.
- 72% of independents.
- 54% of Republicans.
Bears Ears National Monument: 71% of voters support preserving Bears Ears as a national monument.
- 94% of Democrats.
- 80% of independents.
- 61% of Republicans.
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument: 74% of voters support its continued designation.
- 96% of Democrats.
- 80% of independents.
- 65% of Republicans.
Tribal Involvement: 89% of Utah voters believe it is very important for Native American Tribes to have a strong role in managing their ancestral lands. The poll, conducted in December 2024, found that 80% of voters believed the incoming administration should uphold the existing agreement with Tribes concerning Bears Ears, referring to the administration now in office.
- 99% of Democrats.
- 84% of independents.
- 74% of Republicans.
Find an overview of the key findings from the New Bridge Strategy poll here.
Key Findings of the 15th Annual State of the Rockies Project Conservation in the West Poll
- 86% of Western voters support ensuring Native American Tribes have greater input in decisions about sacred or culturally significant areas within national public lands.
- 89% support managing public lands to ensure more outdoor areas remain free from light pollution for stargazing.
- 92% believe oil and gas companies, not taxpayers, should pay for all clean-up and land restoration costs after drilling.
- 88% back the continued use of updated equipment and technology to prevent methane leaks on public lands.
- 71% support restricting drilling to areas where oil extraction is highly likely, rather than opening broad swaths of public lands to energy development.
- 84% favor maintaining or increasing the royalty rates that oil companies pay for production on public lands.
- 57% oppose giving the state government control over national public lands, such as national forests, monuments, and wildlife refuges.
- 82% believe that national monuments designated in the last decade should remain in place.
These polls reaffirm what we have long known: land conservation enjoys strong, bipartisan support across party lines, age groups, and regions. Utahns and Westerners alike care deeply about the future of their public lands and overwhelmingly support the protection of Bears Ears and other national monuments. Far from being a partisan issue, preserving these landscapes reflects a shared commitment to cultural heritage, conservation, and responsible stewardship.
At a time when the future of Bears Ears remains uncertain, these findings send a strong message: Utahns want their national monuments protected, and they recognize the essential role of Tribes in stewarding these landscapes.
For anyone claiming public opinion is against Bears Ears, these findings prove otherwise. The people of Utah – and the broader West – have spoken, and they stand with the Tribes, conservationists, and all who are working to ensure these lands remain protected for generations to come.
