Neguse, Bennet, Hickenlooper Raise Concerns Over Forest Service Proposal to Lease Nearly 14,000 Acres for Potential Oil and Gas Development

July 28, 2026 Press Release Lafayette, CO — Yesterday, Colorado Congressman Joe Neguse and Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper penned a letter opposing the proposed lease of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) lands in Routt and Moffat Counties to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). In doing so they joined a number of local leaders who have similarly raised concerns about the Forest Service’s plans to lease nearly 14,000 acres of USFS lands to the BLM, a decision that would open the door to future oil and gas development in the area and could jeopardize critical wildlife habitats, sensitive watersheds, and outdoor recreational opportunities. The Colorado lawmakers have been steadfast in their efforts to protect Colorado's public lands, teaming up to stop President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ plan to mandate the sale of millions of acres of public land across the American West through the budget reconciliation process, while also introducing landmark legislation like the CORE Act to establish new wilderness areas and safeguard outdoor recreation in these treasured landscapes. Neguse, who has represented Routt County since 2023 and currently serves as the Ranking Member of the Federal Lands Subcommittee, also recently introduced a bill to protect the right of local communities to provide input into proposed oil and gas lease sales on national public lands. The Local Input Act restores the Department of the Interior’s discretion to incorporate public comments and defer nominated parcels that conflict with the public interest. Changes enacted under the Trump administration last year effectively stripped local communities, landowners, and state and local officials of a meaningful voice in leasing decisions on public lands by eliminating BLM’s authority to defer lease parcels even if legitimate conflicts are identified. The proposed federal oil and gas lease sale underwent a 30-day public comment period that began June 18 and ran through July 17. As the Colorado lawmakers have made clear, it’s imperative the administration considers local feedback. Read their full letter HERE and below: July 27, 2026 Forest Supervisor Dawn Laybolt Medicine Bow-Routt National Forests and Thunder Basin National Grassland 3838 Cherrywood East Loop Laramie, WY 82070 Dear Forest Supervisor Laybolt, We write to express our concern with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS)’s Routt National Forest Draft Environmental Assessment (EA), proposing to lease 10 parcels in northwest Routt and Moffat Counties in Colorado, to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The USFS has received Expressions of Interest to lease these 13,850 acres to the BLM for potential future oil and gas lease, exploration, and development, and initiated a public comment period last month. Local leaders, including Routt County, members of the Steamboat Springs City Council, and the Western Resilience Center, have expressed concerns with this proposed lease. Six of the 10 parcels currently under consideration within the EA contain sensitive watersheds, and two contain cutthroat trout habitat. These proposed parcels also overlap significantly with habitat and migration corridors for elk, mule deer, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, golden eagles, and more. The proposed lease of these areas for future oil and gas development threatens to disrupt critical wildlife habitats and wildlife migrating and living throughout the region, in addition to degrading important watersheds. These parcels overlap with the California Park Special Interest Area, an area of critical ecological significance for Northwest Colorado and where there is active watershed restoration work underway in collaboration with the USFS. These areas are also important for recreation, and the outdoor recreation economy is a significant economic driver for Routt County and the surrounding communities. Several existing multi-use trails overlap with the proposed parcels, in addition to areas that are valuable for hunting and fishing. Prior oil and gas development efforts within Routt County have historically not been economically viable or demonstrated commercial viability in the areas proposed for lease. We are concerned that this proposed action would significantly jeopardize the existing economic drivers for the region, including outdoor recreation. We are also concerned that Routt County was not notified of this proposed action prior to the agency’s announcement. Any proposed leasing actions should be accompanied by significant and meaningful public and community engagement, including with the local jurisdictions that would be impacted. As you consider the proposed lease of these lands to the BLM, we request you take full and fair consideration of the concerns raised by the impacted community and the highest and best use of these public lands. Sincerely, ###