Colorado’s world-class elk herd is in trouble. The BLM is proposing oil and gas leases on the Roan Plateau of 126,744 acres – in the heart of the finest and most critical elk habitat in Colorado. The Western Slope elk herd is over 250,000 animals and this is its major range. Many sportsmen understand that the Western Slope is the Serengeti of the West. We have more elk in CD-3 than most elk states combined. Up until the oil and gas drilling explosion of 2003-2010, we also had the largest mule deer population in the nation. The towns of Meeker, Maybell and Craig depend on fall hunting for important economic activity and recreation.
A separate 156,000-acre lease sale near Dinosaur National Monument encompasses elk, pronghorn and mule deer migration corridors extending into southern Wyoming. Much of it sits in Moffat County, which bills itself as the Elk Hunting Capital of the World and relies on hunting for its economic stability.
The BLM comment period closes July 8. Search “Roan Plateau lease” at eplanning.blm.gov to submit your comments. No drilling on the Roan.
Jerry Mallett
Salida
