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(Colorado News Connection) Conservation groups are asking federal agencies to give newly naturalized U.S. citizens a free America the Beautiful National Parks pass.

Javier Pineda, founder of Oso Outdoors in Summit County, said each year thousands of immigrants work hard and spend a lot of time and money to take the oath of allegiance. He believes the pass, which gets you into more than 2,000 federal recreation sites, will instill pride in public lands.

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"If people are naturalized and they have an America the Beautiful pass included in that packet, not only they are going to feel more welcomed to be adopted to this new homeland," Pineda contended. "They are going to be encouraged naturally to access some of these national parks."

Pineda pointed out the move would also help remove at least one barrier -- cost -- which immigrants, communities of color and low-income people disproportionately face accessing public lands. He urged people to sign an online petition.

Communities of color in the U.S. are three times more likely to live without access to natural areas compared to white communities. Latinos make up 44 percent of Summit County's population but Pineda noted it is not what you typically see in the mountains. In an effort to get more Latinos out on the area's spectacular trails, Pineda's group is offering a summer mountain biking program.

"In a place like Summit County, you know, biking is another great activity that we all enjoy," Pineda explained. "And a great, great way to explore our national parks and public lands."

Oso Outdoors' winter program helps introduce newcomers to Summit County's biggest outdoor draws, skiing and snowboarding. And the group is working with the National Forest Service to add more bilingual signage to make it easier for Spanish-speaking people to navigate trail maps.

"I always tell people you don't have to hike a mountain to be considered outdoorsy," Pineda emphasized. "Just spending time outside of our homes, in parks and public lands, it's a great way just to connect with people. We all need opportunities to access these places and we also need to conserve them together."