The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) just announced yet another oil and gas lease sale in Colorado that will significantly lock up more of Western Colorado’s public lands, impact vulnerable communities, and reduce outdoor recreation spaces so the oil and gas industry can fatten its bottom line.
Several parcels of public land in Western Colorado, including land in the Little Bookcliffs Wilderness Study Area, will be up for sale this coming March during the first quarter of 2026.
Even worse, Colorado taxpayers have already been robbed of millions of dollars in additional royalty revenue from a sale in September. Thanks to “the Big Ugly Bill” passed this summer, the federal oil and gas royalty rate has been cut to a ridiculously outdated level, taking money from taxpayers and local governments and handing it right back to the industry.
The people of Western Colorado want balanced use of our public lands and a fair return for our public minerals. We deserve a say in how they are managed.
That’s why our Alliance has joined with Conservation Colorado to offer a free comment-writing workshop on December 4 at 5:30 pm at Copeka Coffee in Grand Junction. Join us to learn more about the proposed areas for oil and gas development on the Western Slope, the threats to public comment periods, and how to be effective at pushing back on continuous federal attacks on our public lands. Drinks will be available for purchase, and you’ll be in the company of other folks dedicated to protecting our public lands.
Public Comments are due to the BLM by December 12!
I hope to see you there! And if you can’t make it — reach out to me and I’ll be happy to help you craft your comment to the BLM!
