Roan Plateau Drilling Proposal Revisited

The Roan Plateau, Colorado’s beloved wildlife haven and pristine trout stream sanctuary, is once again under threat from oil and gas drilling. After years of fierce resistance and legal battles that once secured its protection, the Bureau of Land Management is now proposing to lease thousands of acres — reversing a 2016 agreement. This isn’t new: a 2008 auction, despite public outcry, sold over 55,000 acres for record revenue — a move then-governor called “a sad day.” The plateau’s ecological value is irreplaceable — it’s a critical summer refuge for mule deer, elk, and bears, and its streams host a pure strain of cutthroat trout. A 2012 court order and 2014 settlement canceled most leases and refunded millions, but now, under new federal leasing rules, drilling is back on the table. The BLM is accepting public comments for 30 days on this proposal — part of a broader push across nine western states — as communities brace to defend one of Colorado’s last wild frontiers. Support the show:Get a discount at https://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/b9f7248d0b9aef4b