S. 1271 – Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act

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Updated April 15, 2026 at 3:56 PM UTC

The Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act would rename two unnamed 13,000‑foot mountains in Colorado’s Uncompahgre National Forest as “Fowler Peak” and “Boskoff Peak.” The change honors climbers Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff, who lived in the area and died in an avalanche in 2006. All federal references to these mountains—on maps, in regulations, and other official documents—would use the new names.

Key Provisions

Designates the 13,498‑foot peak at 37.8569 N, –108.0117 W as “Fowler Peak.”
Designates the 13,123‑foot peak at 37.85549 N, –108.03112 W as “Boskoff Peak.”
States that any federal law, map, regulation, or document that mentions these peaks must refer to them by the new names.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

SenateCommittee Latest Action

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-482.

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee

July 26, 2017

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SenateIntro Referral

Introduced in Senate

May 25, 2017

SenateIntro Referral

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Energy and Natural Resources Committee

May 25, 2017

SenateCommittee

Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Public Lands, Forests, and Mining. Hearings held. With printed Hearing: S.Hrg. 115-482.

Public Lands, Forests, and Mining Subcommittee

July 26, 2017

Bill Text

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Introduced in SenateIssued May 25, 2017

II

115th CONGRESS

1st Session

S. 1271

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

May 25, 2017

Mr. Bennet (for himself and Mr. Gardner) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources

A BILL

To designate certain mountain peaks in the State of Colorado as Fowler Peak and Boskoff Peak.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Fowler and Boskoff Peaks Designation Act.

2.

Findings

Congress finds that—

(1)

Charlie Fowler was—

(A)

one of the most experienced mountain climbers in North America, having successfully climbed many of the highest peaks in the world;

(B)

an author, guide, filmmaker, photographer, and wilderness advocate;

(C)

the recipient of the 2004 Robert and Miriam Underhill Award from the American Alpine Club, an award that—

(i)

honors outstanding mountaineering achievement; and

(ii)

is awarded annually to climbers who have demonstrated the highest level of skill in mountaineering and who, through the application of this skill, courage, and perseverance, have achieved outstanding success in the various fields of mountaineering; and

(D)

a summiter of several 8,000-meter peaks, specifically—

(i)

Everest;

(ii)

Cho Oyu; and

(iii)

Shishapangma;

(2)

Christine Boskoff—

(A)

was one of the leading female alpinists in the United States, having climbed 6 of the 14 mountain peaks in the world that are higher than 8,000 meters, specifically—

(i)

Everest;

(ii)

Cho Oyu;

(iii)

Gasherbrum II;

(iv)

Lhotse;

(v)

Shishapangma; and

(vi)

Broad Peak;

(B)

gave countless hours to nonprofit organizations that supported—

(i)

the rights of porters and Sherpas;

(ii)

the education of women; and

(iii)

global literacy and gender equality; and

(C)

was recognized by the education communities in the United States and Nepal as a role model for students;

(3)

Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff were long-time residents of San Miguel County, Colorado, and champions for the pristine backcountry of Colorado;

(4)

Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff died in an avalanche in November 2006 while attempting to summit Genyen Peak in Tibet;

(5)

2 unnamed 13,000-foot peaks located west of Wilson Peak on the boundary of San Miguel and Dolores Counties, Colorado, offer spectacular recreational climbing and hiking opportunities; and

(6)

the local community in the vicinity of the peaks described in paragraph (5) and fellow climbers propose to honor and commemorate Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff by naming the peaks after Charlie Fowler and Christine Boskoff.

3.

Designation of Fowler Peak and Boskoff Peak, Colorado

(a)

Designation of fowler peak

(1)

In general

The 13,498-foot mountain peak, located at 37.8569° N, by −108.0117° W, in the Uncompahgre National Forest in the State of Colorado, shall be known and designated as Fowler Peak.

(2)

References

Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the peak described in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to Fowler Peak.

(b)

Designation of boskoff peak

(1)

In general

The 13,123-foot mountain peak, located at 37.85549° N, by −108.03112° W, in the Uncompahgre National Forest in the State of Colorado, shall be known and designated as Boskoff Peak.

(2)

References

Any reference in a law, map, regulation, document, paper, or other record of the United States to the peak described in paragraph (1) shall be deemed to be a reference to Boskoff Peak.