Massive Colorado lease sale advances drilling across wildlife habitat and recreation lands

DENVER, Colo. — This week, the Bureau of Land Management leased approximately 134,173 across 147 parcels in one of the largest oil and gas lease sales in recent Colorado history, advancing oil and gas development on public lands that include important wildlife habitat, migration corridors, recreation areas, and public lands valued by communities across the state.

The sale comes amid a broader expansion of oil and gas leasing across the West and reflects increasing pressure on Colorado's public lands, many of which provide critical habitat for elk, mule deer, pronghorn, greater sage-grouse, and other wildlife while supporting outdoor recreation like hunting, fishing, hiking, and camping.

Many of the parcels offered in today's sale overlap with important conservation values, including migration corridors, winter range, Areas of Critical Environmental Concern, Lands with Wilderness Characteristics, and landscapes identified by state wildlife experts as priorities for conservation. Some parcels are also located near towns and drinking water resources, including lands near the Aurora Reservoir, a primary drinking water source for approximately 400,000 people, that had strong industry interest despite potential impacts to the local community.

• Sheer size – this sale is one of the largest in recent Colorado history – impacting public lands and wildlife habitat. 
• Seven parcels were sold where Colorado Parks and Wildlife has conservation easements to protect wildlife and recreation access, including hunting and angling access.
• Nearly 1/3 of the 147 parcels sold went at the minimum bid of $10/acre, ripping off the American public and the true value of these lands.

"Today's sale marks a troubling step toward industrializing our shared public lands," said Jim Ramey, Colorado state director for The Wilderness Society. "Many of the acres leased today overlap with wildlife habitat, recreation areas, and landscapes that Coloradans value for hunting, fishing, hiking, and exploring the outdoors. Public lands belong to all of us, but every acre leased today moves these places one step closer to being dominated by roads, drill pads, and oil and gas infrastructure."

Colorado Parks and Wildlife and the Colorado Department of Natural Resources previously raised concerns in a protest letter about several proposed parcels because of conflicts with wildlife habitat and conservation values. State wildlife officials requested deferrals for some parcels due to concerns about impacts to wildlife habitat and recreation access.

Colorado already has millions of acres of public lands leased or available for oil and gas development. Increasingly large lease sales are placing greater pressure on wildlife, recreation opportunities, water resources, and local communities.

"This sale isn't just about energy production today," Ramey said. "It's about whether future generations will inherit healthy wildlife habitat, clean water, and the freedom to enjoy these places the same way we do now."

For media inquiries, contact Jen Dickson, jdickson@tws.org