The Bureau of Land Management, having already made the unpopular decision to drill for oil and gas on Colorado’s Roan Plateau, has politely declined Gov. Bill Ritter’s suggestion that it at least explore in phases or avoid certain environmentally sensitive areas. “There are some areas where we cannot meet the desires of the state of Colorado, specifically with regard to leasing,” says the BLM’s Stephen Allred. Colorado politicians vowed a fight. “I will not let them turn Colorado’s West Slope into a sacrificial zone for unimpeded oil and gas development,” said Representative John Salazar. Unless he’s successful, the plateau will come under drills as early as this summer.
