- An Alliance For Community Action
- (970) 256-7650
- info@WesternColoradoAlliance.org
Tell the BLM to protect our public lands!
After President Biden’s historic pause on leasing public lands came under attack in U.S. district court, the judge’s decision to resume federal leasing to oil & gas operators was a setback. The scoping information for Colorado Bureau of Land Management’s next Oil & Gas Lease Sale is now available. According to the press release and documents, the Bureau of Land Management Colorado is proposing to offer 119 parcels, totaling 141,675.22 acres in Kremmling, Little Snake, Royal Gorge, and White River Field Offices. Comments are due by 4 pm [MDT] on October 1.
Now, this opportunity to comment on the parcels being sold is our chance to ensure the best possible outcomes to follow, including demanding protection of vital ecosystems, safety for impacted communities, and robust standards for deciding who is granted the privilege of operating on our public lands. Tell BLM that we want protective leasing decisions, including:
- Requiring the full cost of plugging and reclaiming a well up front in a bond before drilling can begin.
- Increasing the royalty rate to properly compensate taxpayers.
- Providing as much time for public engagement with decisions as possible.
- Limiting the number of leases, and the lands available to be leased.
- Reserving the right to change the terms of the lease between the BLM and operators.
- Minimizing speculation by ensuring bidders are qualified to operate in good faith, and restricting both non-competitive leasing and bidding on low and non-producing parcels of land.
By working together, we can help protect our federal lands for future generations of Coloradans — but only if concerned residents like you make your voices heard and let our public officials know that you care. The deadline for public comment is October 1, so there’s no time to waste. Click the link below and make your comment today!
Brian joined Western Colorado Alliance as a community organizer in April 2020. With a professional background in elections and the court system, Brian specializes in working with our partners to shape oil and gas policy. Having grown up on the Western Slope, he is committed to working toward a strong, sustainable future for our community. Brian also volunteers with Mesa County Library’s literacy and pathway to citizenship programs. As an avid board game enthusiast, he enjoys opportunities to strategize and build winning coalitions. Brian received his bachelor's degree in political science from Colorado Mesa University, and his master’s degree in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver’s School of Public Affairs.