Washington, D.C. – Colorado U.S. Senator Michael Bennet issued the following statement today regarding the release of the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) final Record of Decision for Thompson Divide:
“We introduced the Thompson Divide Withdrawal and Protection Act in 2013 in response to bipartisan requests from Colorado communities and local governments. The ranchers, sportsmen, outdoor enthusiasts, and elected officials who live in those communities feel that speculative leases in the Divide jeopardize their local economies. Today’s announcement is a significant step towards addressing those concerns,” Bennet said. “In the upcoming weeks and months, we will continue to work with community members and industry to determine whether a legislative compromise can permanently protect the Thompson Divide and provide market-based compensation for those who have just had their leases canceled.”