Westerners are self-sufficient people. We do things our own way, and we solve our own problems. So it’s no surprise that Colorado ranchers and sportsmen are banding together to buy back 220,000 acres of land that was leased a decade ago to oil and gas companies. Those companies rejected the first bid, but this group of Coloradoans is determined to see to it that the space is used their way, for grazing, hunting and fishing, rather than drilled for oil and gas.
The land is located in the Thompson Divide region of western Colorado, touching Pitkin, Gunnison, Garfield, Mesa and Delta counties. The Thompson Divide Coalition has already offered $2.5 million to the leaseholders—Houston-based SG Interests and Canadian oil and gas company Encana—but that offer was rejected. The Coalition won’t be so easily turned away though, saying it is prepared to raise the money as is necessary to conserve the area for existing uses.
The effort to buy back the land is supported by county commissioners from Garfield, Pitkin and Gunnison counties, all championing the agricultural, recreational and environmental benefits of the land. Sen. Michael Bennet has drafted legislation to enable the buyback. In addition to Sen. Bennet’s leadership role, the community is also working with Sen. Mark Udall, and Rep. Scott Tipton to pass the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act to preserve the land and remove it from future leasing.
“This area supports a diverse range of economic activities from ranching to hunting to world-class skiing and more. I look forward to seeing community members’ comments and to continuing to work closely with them.” —Senator Bennet
The lands of the Thompson Divide offer economic benefits to the region, and the state, beyond oil and gas development. The Divide has been home to a ranching and farming culture for over a century. If the oil and gas companies ever actually drilled there, the grazing livestock and rich game populations could be destroyed, along with the scenery and open spaces that support the region’s tourism industry.
The members of the Thompson Divide Coalition understand how much the land is worth, in dollars and cents. They’re ready and willing to solve this problem on their own, so that they can determine how their land will be used. They simply want to keep their community’s land intact, so ranchers, sportsmen and tourists can continue to use it on their terms.