Photo used by permission of Jon Mullen.

Before us is an incredible opportunity. Let’s take advantage of it.

As of this very moment, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) is accepting public comments on an oil and gas management plan that affects roughly two million acres of land in western Colorado. That wasn’t a typo. Two million acres.

The draft management plan will impact the Upper Colorado and Roaring Fork Rivers in Eagle and Pitkin counties and westward through Garfield and Mesa counties to the Utah border. Some of the most iconic landscapes in Colorado will be affected, such as Castle Peak, the Grand Hogback, Lower Dolores River canyon country, and the Book Cliffs. 

Let’s take action today.

The current plan comes as a result of a few lawsuits filed by Wilderness Workshop, Western Colorado Alliance, and partners. The draft management plan offers hope the BLM will meet the moment and do right by our public lands and the climate. But they need to hear from our community. At stake is the future of how two million acres of land will be managed for decades to come, including energy development, critical wildlife habitat, popular recreation zones, community water sources, and wildlands. 

Let’s ensure our public lands serve the public and the species that rely on them. This is an incredible opportunity for the BLM… and for us.