Category: Blog

The debate surrounding Proposition 127, which seeks to ban the hunting of mountain lions and bobcats in Colorado, has brought wildlife management into the spotlight. The Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF) stands firmly against this proposal, emphasizing the importance of regulated hunting as part of responsible wildlife management. Our opposition is rooted in science-based conservation principles and the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which has been successful in maintaining healthy wildlife populations across the continent.

Misconceptions About Hunting

A common misconception that Prop 127 portrays is that hunting these animals is primarily for trophy purposes. In reality, the state has strict regulations that ensure hunting serves legitimate purposes like population control and sourcing meat for consumption. Trophy hunting is illegal in Colorado. Hunters are required by law to prepare all edible portions of a harvested mountain lion for human consumption, ensuring that no part of the animal goes to waste. This aligns with CWF’s commitment to ethical, regulated harvests, a core component of the North American conservation model.

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW): At the Helm of Science-Driven Management

Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) plays a crucial role in regulating and managing wildlife populations in the state. The department employs hundreds of biologists and scientists who develop and implement research-based strategies for preserving the delicate balance of Colorado’s ecosystems. They oversee stringent regulations, including harvest limits (quotas) for hunters and mandatory education courses on mountain lion management. Hunters are also required to report their harvests and submit to inspection, which ensures that populations are monitored closely.

This comprehensive approach has successfully sustained mountain lion and bobcat populations in the state. For example, mountain lions, once threatened, have flourished since they were classified as big game in 1965. Similarly, bobcats, the most common wild cat in the state, have robust populations thanks to these carefully regulated practices.

Proposition 127: A Challenge to Wildlife Management

Proposition 127 threatens to undo decades of successful wildlife management by banning the regulated harvest of mountain lions and bobcats. Such a move would remove decision-making from wildlife experts and turn it over to legislation, where science-based principles may take a backseat to political agendas. This could lead to unintended ecological consequences.

Wildlife management is a complex science, and disrupting the balance in one species can have ripple effects across the entire ecosystem. For instance, without regulated hunting, mountain lion populations could grow unchecked, leading to increased competition for resources, more human-wildlife conflicts, and potential harm to other wildlife species. CWF stresses that these decisions should remain in the hands of trained professionals who understand the broader implications of altering management strategies.

Ethical Conservation Through Regulated Harvest

CWF stands by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation, which advocates for ethical, regulated hunting as the most effective way to manage wildlife populations. This model ensures that wildlife is managed for the benefit of both ecosystems and human populations, using the best available science. Regulated hunting, according to CWF, is a vital tool for CPW in managing the state’s wildlife, ensuring that populations remain healthy and in balance with their habitats.

On June 13, in advance of the Colorado oil and gas lease sale, which was rescheduled for June 30, 2022, CWF, NWF and TRCP sent this letter to the BLM to make several points. The letter is linked below. We expressed general support for BLM’s revised approach to oil and gas leasing in Colorado, as it proposes to exclude parcels located in areas with low or no known oil and gas development potential. Our organizations applauded the agency’s proposal to raise the royalty rate on leases to 18.75 percent, as this increase will make the federal government’s royalty rate for these parcels consistent with those imposed by states and private landowners and provide a fair return to taxpayers. We also support BLM’s effort to avoid priority habitat management areas for greater sage-grouse. Consistent with earlier comments, we remain concerned with BLM’s intent to lease parcels in very important elk, mule deer and pronghorn habitats…before embarking on its process to develop a Colorado amendment to its resource management plans. Leasing these parcels should be deferred pending this process. We note that the BLM has just posted its deferral of three parcels with which we have been very concerned and two of those we highlighted in the letter. Excellent!

CWF, NWF, TRCP letter to BLM re CO June oil and gas lease sale

 

Noncompetitive Oil and Gas Leasing on Public Lands Must End

On March 29, 2022 the National Wildlife Federation issued an important report that documents wasted taxpayer dollars from a federal practice known as noncompetitive oil and gas leasing of federally managed public lands. (see link at end of blog.) A second important consequence of noncompetitive leasing is that such parcels become unavailable for other uses including habitat management and restoration or recreation. Ending this practice will allow expanded opportunities for wildlife conservation, water quality management and outdoor recreation.

Context of noncompetitive lease sales in Colorado: The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) conducts quarterly oil and gas leasing auctions of certain parcels for oil and gas exploration and development. CWF submits comments during each of these processes to urge deferral of parcels that are in mule deer and elk and other big game migration corridors, winter concentration areas and severe winter range, and in priority greater sage grouse management areas.  Where noncompetitive leasing comes in is that parcels that are offered at the auction but are unsold may be sold afterwards for as little as $1.50 per acre. Forty percent of all oil and gas leases are sold noncompetitively at rock bottom prices. The Report reveals that in Colorado, 96 noncompetitive leases have been issued on 59,201 acres over several years. Of these leases, 11 overlap greater sage-grouse habitat including 1,467 acres of priority greater sage grouse management habitat.

This Report references the GAO report, November 2020, showing that almost all of these noncompetitively leased lands remain tied up under lease without any oil and gas development. They are almost always located in areas with low or no oil and gas development potential. Areas with low or no potential that have been offered in  past lease sales in Colorado include important bighorn sheep habitat and habitats for species of greatest conservation need designated in the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan. See, for example the Pawnee National Grasslands case study in the NWF Report. Of the 96 noncompetitive leases in Colorado, 53 are on lands that have been identified as low potential for oil and gas development. Fortunately, in the upcoming June 2022 Colorado oil and gas lease sale, BLM proposes to remove all parcels with low or no oil and gas development potential. We applaud this proposed change.

Ending the practice of noncompetitive leasing will require federal legislation. Senator John Hickenlooper introduced the COMPETES Act last year to end these public lands giveaways. COMPETES ACT bill   This bill must move forward! Stay tuned.

Here is the link to the NWF Report

2022 – A Year of Opportunity for Coloradans and Wildlife

As we enter the 2022 Spring and Summer seasons here in Colorado, the promise of warmer weather and the greening of the vegetation whets our appetite for all things outdoors. Our resilience, fortitude and patience have withstood the Covid pandemic, and fishing, boating, hiking, bird-watching, and gardening are waiting for our participation.  The late winter and spring moisture, at least along the Front Range, is beneficial for the quality of wildlife habitat and water flows. The Colorado Wildlife Federation hopes that you are currently healthy and getting outdoors as much as possible during the warm Spring days.

The Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF) has been active this Spring fulfilling our mission œto advocate and educate for the conservation of Colorado’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats for all.  Our advocacy work for the year began in January with the start of the Colorado State General Assembly bills and consideration of potential actions that could affect Colorado’s wildlife and wildlife habitat. 

CWF has participated with other organizations in either supporting or opposing bills at the State Capitol.  In January, the CWF participated in sportsmen and sportswomen day at the legislature to oppose a bill that would have outlawed hunting for mountain lions and bobcats.  CWF opposed the bill as it is our firm belief, expressed consistently over the years, that all wildlife management policies must remain within the purview of Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) and Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission.  It is important that CPW retain the authority to responsibly manage these species using its science-based principles that factor in habitat, populations, and maintaining sustainable ecological balance, mitigation of conflicts and other components. The healthy populations of bobcat and mountain lion are due to CPW’s careful management of these species within the larger ecological structure, guided by science, retain its jurisdiction over these species populations and habitats. The bill was voted down in the committee hearing.  Our Executive Director has testified in person, or written letters to various committees and legislators on the following bills. Each is updated on our homepage under News.

• Supporting HB 22-1072 Habitat Partnership Program bill which is now on the Governor’s desk This is very effective program. The purpose of the HPP is to reduce wildlife conflicts, particularly those associated with forage and fences through problem solving, and to assist ColoradoParks and Wildlife in meeting game management objectives. HPP works through local committees comprised of landowners, land management agencies and sportspersons. The program is funded from five percent of the net annual sales of big game licenses used in the geographic areas represented by the local habitat partnership committees. The bill will expand the program to encourage maintaining big game critical access to their migration corridors. 
• HB 22-1104 powertrails bill, as amended, was signed into law by Governor Polis on April 13.  
• HB 22-1168 hunter education bill was passed by the House and Senate would allow local schools to provide a hunter education course to all seventh graders. It requires an agreement with an individual or entity that offer the courses that are certified by CPW. 
• S 22-151 Safe Crossings for Colorado Wildlife and Motorists was introduced on March 8. CWF enthusiastically supports this bill. Sponsors are Sen. Danielson and Story and Representatives McCluskie and Will and Roberts. The Senate Transportation & Energy Committee voted in favor of the bill unanimously on March 29. It now moves on to Senate Appropriations Committee.  CWF testified in strong support of the bill.
• S 22-158 Species Conservation Trust Fund passed the Senate, and House Agriculture, Water & Natural Resources Committee, unamended, and is before the House Appropriations Committee. CWF supports.
• S 22-168 Backcountry Search and Rescue was passed by the Senate Agricultural and Natural Resources Committee and is before Senate Appropriations. CWF supports.

CWF is a participant in the Colorado Wildlife Conservation Project (CWCP). 

The executive director has represented the CWF positions on other state, local, and federal land management issues:  Here are a few of the matters: 

• Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rulemaking re Colorado Parks and Wildlife map updates for High Priority Habitats concluded on April 6 with the hearing in which Commission adoption of the updated maps. CWF was a party and testified in favor of the updated maps.  
• We await BLM’s final Resource Management Plan for Eastern Colorado — South Park area portion. CWF has worked with Park County and many others for several years to urge specific recommendations that will provide a good outcome for the largely unfragmented wildlife habitats and iconic streams.
• Outside 285 master plan to balance wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation (trails).  Outside 285 will submit an application to CPW for support funding as a regional partnership. Our executive director serves as a member of steering committee of Outside 285. 
• Colorado Wildlife Commission meetings and suggested policy and management approaches dealing with regulations; our executive director serves on a CPW work group to address recreational uses of state wildlife areas.
• Protection and development of wildlife migratory corridor considerations for other state and federal agencies.
• Commenting on the Rio Grande, Gunnison, Grand Mesa and Uncomphagre National Forest Master Plan planning efforts.
• Participation on the South Platte Basin Roundtable to comment on and request projects through the South Platte Basin Implementation Plan.
• Participation in the Colorado Outdoor Partnership 
• Contributed to the National Wildlife Federation-Colorado Wildlife Federation report on planning for wolf reintroduction in Colorado pursuant to Proposition 114- scheduled for publication release soon

Colorado Wildlife Federation, in 2022 is bringing back to life our œBecoming an Outdoors Woman program and is making a strong effort to reach out to underserved women from minority communities in the state. The initial day program isa fishing clinic on May 28 at Lake Lehow.  To register, go to our Becoming an Outdoors Woman webpage.  Sales continue for the Governor’s elk raffle license tickets. The drawing is on June 18 and proceeds benefit big game habitats. CWF also will begin planning for our second fundraising sweepstakes.

All in all, this is a tremendous workload for a small organization.

Colorado continues to be a crossroads in the protection of wildlife and their habitats. There is an urgent need to use every means necessary to protect the resiliency of our forests and their ability to continue to provide the habitats and water quality that wildlife and people depend upon.

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, we are extremely reliant on our citizen-based monetary donations and a few grants. As an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation, the CWF executive director, the CWF Board of Directors, and our Issues Committee, work hard on your behalf to conserve habitats so that you can continue to fish, hunt and watch wildlife in our great Colorado outdoors.

We need your continued support now more than ever.  The Colorado Wildlife Federation would like to thank all of our past, current, and future supporters who are passionate about Colorado’s wildlife and their habitats. 

Please visit the CWF website to get details on all these activities.

In addition to your donation, please invite friends and colleagues to make a contribution to support CWF!  

You can schedule donations now at our website, or donate throughout the year any time you wish by going to: 

                                                    www.coloradowildlife.org

The Colorado Wildlife Federation wishes you and yours’ a happy, safe and enjoyable 2022 outdoor adventures

Robin Knox

CWF Board President

KnoxR@coloradowildlife.org

A Letter from Colorado Wildlife Federation’s President and Board Chair, Robin Knox   2021 – A Look to the Future As we enter the second month of 2021- hopefully a year of recovery – Coloradans have experienced a wide gamut of emotions and experiences the past 11 months that were, and still are, extremely challenging. Our resilience, fortitude and patience have been sorely tested. Our hearts go out to those of you who have experienced loss as a result of the pandemic or wildfires that have ravaged Colorado. We hope that you are currently healthy and staying safe at home. The Colorado Wildlife Federation (CWF) is grateful for the efforts of all the first responders, firefighters and Parks and Wildlife staff that have worked so hard to protect homes and, critical CPW structures and wildlife habitats. We are also grateful that the beautiful Colorado out-of-doors offers a continuing relief from the pandemic movement restrictions. Despite the disruption of life as usual, CWF has been, and will remain, actively involved in 2021, fulfilling our mission “to advocate and educate for the conservation of Colorado’s fish, wildlife, and their habitats for all. Our advocacy work began in January with first Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meeting that discussed the potential actions related to the development of a wolf reintroduction plan, as mandated by the voters through passage of Prop. 114. The General Assembly’s 2021 session will resume beginning in mid-February. However the pandemic and COVID-19 vaccine distribution continue to affect how Coloradans interact and meet with one another, CWF will continue to be actively engaged in the pressing wildlife management issues occurring across the state: ·       Making public comment in Colorado Parks and Wildlife Commission meetings on policy and management approaches for state wildlife area access, and management; development of the wolf reintroduction plan; involvement on a sportspersons’ access workgroup, and other issues as they arise ·       Continuing to oppose any development project on an East Vail parcel that would destroy vital bighorn sheep habitat in its severe winter range ·       Participating on the steering committee for Outside 285 corridor master planning to safeguard essential wildlife habitats and direct trails to areas without sensitive wildlife habitats ·       Working on an amicus brief in a lawsuit through the University of Michigan student law clinic in conjunction with NWF to safeguard specific sensitive wildlife areas that were not protected in the Rio Grande National Forest plan ·       Addressing problems with Bureau of Land Management’s proposed quarterly oil and gas leases during the pause ordered by the Biden administration and recommending improvements to the 2019 draft BLM Resource Management Plan for Eastern Colorado with emphasis on protecting South Park wildlife and habitat to safeguard specific sensitive wildlife areas ·       Participating in Colorado Outdoor Partners and its role in the coming regional partnerships which will focus on balancing wildlife conservation and outdoor recreation on public lands ·       Supporting the development of outside funding for the development of the wolf management plan to lessen the impact of potential expenditures from the Colorado Parks and Wildlife license fee cash funds. Colorado is at a crossroads in the protection of wildlife and their habitats. The tremendous increase in outdoor recreational activity brought about by Colorado’s rapid increase in population and the need to get outdoors during the COVID-19 pandemic have created even greater needs for protection and conservation of our wildlife resources here in Colorado through the work that is supported by CWF. As a 501(c)(3) tax exempt non-profit organization, we are extremely reliant on our citizen-based donations and grants we are able to garner. As an affiliate of the National Wildlife Federation our Executive Director, our Issues Committee, and our Board Members work hard on your behalf so that you can continue to hunt, fish, wildlife watch, and garden with wildlife in mind in our great Colorado outdoors. CWF’s annual raffle for the special Colorado Governor’s elk-hunting license is underway, culminating in the drawing on June 19. It is authorized by Colorado Parks and Wildlife and proceeds benefit big game habitats in Colorado. This is one of the CWF’s fundraisers and we hope you will participate by purchasing an on-line entry. We need your continued financial support now more than ever. The Colorado Wildlife Federation thanks all of our past, current, and future supporters who are passionate about Colorado’s wildlife and their habitats. As a supporter, you can purchase elk license raffle tickets, or make a donation throughout the year anytime you wish by going to: www.coloradowildlife.org   The Colorado Wildlife Federation wishes you a safe, healthy and outdoors 2021! Robin Knox, Board Chair KnoxR@coloradowildlife.org

 

 

CWF continued to be very busy during January.  Here are some highlights below. If there are fish and wildlife issues you would like to discuss, please let me know!

— Suzanne O’Neill   cwfed@coloradowildlife.org

President Biden places much needed pause on Bureau of Land Management oil and gas lease sales and finalizing Resource Management Plans

The Biden Administration’s pause January 27 on oil and gas leasing on federally-managed public lands provides a necessary opportunity to scrutinize the leasing program. CWF welcomes this pause. Many parcels that the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) has leased during the past several years have encompassed or overlapped severe winter range, production areas and migration corridors relied upon by big game for their survival. Colorado Parks and Wildlife defines severe winter range as œthat part of the overall range where 90% of the individuals are located when the annual snowpack is at its maximum and/or temperatures are at a minimum in the two worst winters out of 10. In addition, parcels in priority greater sage grouse habitat have been leased or offered for lease after the former administration tried to set aside the 2015 grouse conservation plans. Further, in some areas of Colorado, BLM has leased or offered parcels that have low oil and gas development potential but feature important wildlife values such as bighorn sheep severe winter range and production (birthing areas).

CWF also is pleased that the Administration paused finalizing BLM resource management plans. CWF has worked with others  for several years toward achieving a good plan for iconic South Park. The draft plan issued in June 2019 was fairly good but numerous improvements should be made. Now we have a great opportunity to move these recommended improvements forward for serious consideration.

Update re bighorn sheep severe winter range parcel in East Vail

On February 2 the Vail Town Council decided not to condemn the parcel in East Vail owned by Vail Resorts that is integral to the bighorn sheep herd’s very small severe winter range on a 5-2 vote. Vail Resorts has declined to sell the parcel to the Town of Vail and, therefore, can decide to develop this Booth Heights parcel in the future. This is unfortunate to say the least. A shame! The Town had worked diligently to locate an alternative site for housing so that the Booth Heights parcel would not be developed. Now the developer will build housing on the new alternative site but as stated above Vail Resorts retains its full ownership and development rights to the Booth Heights parcel. This means the “alternative site”  has become simply an additional site. CWF submitted a written comment letter on February 1  that focused on the science, as we had done previously at each stage of the developer’s quest during 2019 for approval of a housing project on the Booth Heights parcel.

30 x 30

The Biden Administration issued pledged to protect 30 percent of the lands and waters of the United States by 2030.  Here in Colorado, CWF  and several others are working toward what we think would be viable goals. In our view, goals should not be confined to protection but include conservation and restoration. This does not mean that anyone thinks we would start from scratch but instead would value areas that already are a good start toward reaching 30 x 30. We appreciate NWF ‘s visioning and thoughtful work to identify various conservation mechanisms on a national level. Stay tuned.

Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission adopts rules on wildlife protection effective January 15, 2021

During 2020 CWF and others worked diligently to craft our recommendations for wildlife protections.

Now that the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission’s wildlife rulemaking is final, effective January 15 – with quite a good outcome after all the hard work,the next Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission rulemaking is land reclamation after development of a site. We shall participate in this rulemaking as well because elk, bighorn sheep and pronghorn rely upon good quality “green wave” of vegetation in spring for nutrition, and face challenges through drought, climate change, and development. And COGCC will convene a work group to tackle aspects of aquatic buffers that were left hanging.

Recovering America’s Wildlife Act

Early in this session of Congress, CWF will work hard to gain passage of the Recovering America’s Wildlife Act. In the last session we all gained 185 bi-partisan House co-sponsors. This time around, we are optimistic. This very important Act would address species of greatest conservation need in each state. For Colorado, they are enumerated in the Colorado State Wildlife Action Plan.

The work to balance wildlife conservation and trails on our public lands in Colorado 

CWF began its work to advocate balance between conservation of sensitive wildlife habitats and the planning and construction of new trails several years ago. We developed the first session on this topic at a Colorado partners in the outdoors conference in 2018. the following year CWF spearheaded drafting a resolution on this topic for the National Wildlife Federation’s annual meeting. Currently, I serve on a master planning steering committee to balance mountain biking trails with wildlife habitat needs in the Highway 285 corridor spanning four counties. Our first stage was habitat assessment and now we approach the next stage of trail proposals in an already fairly dense recreation area. I believe we can gain a satisfactory master plan IF all agree to steer clear of migratory corridors, birthing areas, riparian areas as well as areas inhabited by species of greatest conservation needs under the State Wildlife Action Plan. I shall be watchful and vocal as we consider requested locations for some of the proposed new trails.

If you desire additional information about any of these issues or want to know more about CWF, please email or call me.

 

 

Last week, Colorado Parks and Wildlife’s Land Use Specialist, Elissa Slezak, presented an excellent webinar on July 1 in which she explains what types of fences pose barriers to deer, elk and pronghorn and types of wildlife-friendly fencing.  Some fences that continue to be barriers are old grazing fences that are not longer used, and with appropriate permission, are ripe for removal.  Some fencing is essential for wildlife, such as to funnel wildlife away from dangerous highway crossings.   During her presentation Elissa noted that a good way to gain more wildlife friendly fencing is to ask towns and counties to insert it into their codes and regulations.

If you would like to see this powerpoint, let me know at info@coloradowildlife.org,

Also, Colorado Parks and Wildlife published the attached very good report several years ago, “Fencing with Wildlife in Mind.”     FencingWithWildlifeInMind

As the nation grapples with the many impacts of the corona virus (COVID-19) on our health and its substantial disruptions to us personally, the economy and our society, the Administration continues to move ahead with proposed regulations that will have adverse impacts to wildlife. As the national and global economy take a deep dive, and people’s focus has shifted to protecting and preserving health, safety and worrying about their livelihoods, the Secretary of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) continue prioritize oil and gas and energy dominance use of public lands it manages. This energy dominance agenda disregards the needs of wildlife, and as Coloradans are distracted right now, it leaves most without an ability to weigh in on proposed decisions that will shape how our public lands are used and managed for years to come.

In late March, BLM held its quarterly oil and gas lease sale, spanning nearly 19,000 acres, many of which are located in northwest Colorado’s North Park. Nearly all of those parcels in North Park are located on lands with priority greater sage grouse habitat and big game winter range that, according to BLM, have low oil and gas potential. BLM had already leased plenty of public lands in North Park, including many that have low potential for oil and gas development but are important big game habitat. Unsurprisingly, just under half of the parcels offered for lease were actually sold.

BLM also is continuing with business as usual for two more lease sales in Colorado, scheduled for June and September. Public comments on the proposed September sale were due April 14 and the protest period for the June sale will begin very soon. Of course, CWF and NWF submitted comments by the April 14 deadline, pointing out again that the sale should be cancelled and then proceeded to list harm to wildlife if several of the nominated parcels are offered for sale.

And numerous parcels are in areas with low oil and gas potential as is apparent from BLM’s own analysis. The agency just doesn’t seem to take this reality into account. For the agency to continue on this track in the midst of the pandemic is irresponsible. These sales continue the disturbing trend of leasing millions of acres on Federal land with very low potential for development. Not surprisingly, lease sales in low potential areas lead to no bids, allowing the BLM to subsequently lease the vast majority of the acreage through a non-competitive process. This outcome is even more likely given the current state of the oil and gas market. This practice is not only unfair to taxpayers, but in locking up these acres for oil and gas interests, BLM fails to manage these lands for other uses and is thereby violating its multiple use mandate under the Federal Lands Policy Management Act (FLPMA). Moreover, this practice creates additional paperwork burden for little to no benefit to the State or to taxpayers. Given the national crisis, BLM should be working on lightening the paperwork burden and focusing on tasks that are truly essential. Leasing lands that are highly unlikely to ever be developed should not be considered essential.

BLM’s public comment periods for the final version of the Browns Canyon National Monument Resource Management Plan and also for the proposed motorized e-bike regulations for non-motorized trails are in process and these periods close, respectively, May 18 and June 9. (As to the motorized e-bike issue, there are an abundance of miles and trails open to motorized e-bike use. Our concern is allowing motorized e-bikes in the public lands back country within sensitive wildlife habitat. The proposed rule would direct its officers to allow that use through land-use planning processes.)

With all of these conflicts and risks to wildlife on our public lands, Coloradans deserve ample opportunities to weigh in on the plans and to speak out when necessary. But with the state’s COVID-19 orders and people’s attention rightfully focused elsewhere, this public input simply is unattainable, especially for many who have very slow internet service. Department of Interior Secretary often has stated that the Administration’s goal is to hear from local people. Therefore, it is mystifying why the Department is not doing everything possible to ensure public access. Holding public comment periods as though there are no barriers to participation seems to render this proclaimed intent meaningless.

BLM has a mandate to manage our public lands in a responsible manner that allow for multiple uses: outdoor recreation, conservation of wildlife habitat, and some resource development. But when the public is cut out of the process, everyday people are unable to respond in the way that industry can. In the context of oil and gas, by not acknowledging the current crisis, and acting accordingly, the Administration is giving industry the upper hand instead of ensuring that public lands here in Colorado are managed for the public’s benefit.

Simply put, the Department of Interior and its BLM immediately should delay all oil and gas lease sales and public comment periods on other planning processes until the pandemic subsides and at least “phase 2” has been in place for a period of time and is working.

— Suzanne O’Neill, Executive Director, Colorado Wildlife Federation