BLM Colorado classifies more than 29,000 acres for state indemnity
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LAKEWOOD, Colorado – The Bureau of Land Management is classifying 23,077 acres of BLM-administered public lands and about 6,350 acres of federal mineral estate for state indemnity to repay the state for 9,000 acres the state did not receive under its statehood act of 1875.
The BLM worked with the state of Colorado in identifying the 29,427 acres to match the approximate value of what the 9,000 acres would be worth now. The state never received title for these acres because they were encumbered by other rights or reservations before a survey was accepted and the state’s title could attach.
The 23,077 surface acres are nearby or intermingled with state-owned areas. The federal mineral estate underlies state of Colorado surface estate. These areas are small in size and often lack legal public access. Many of the lands are in existing grazing and oil and gas leases. If the title is transferred to the state, lessees will have the opportunity to continue grazing and oil and gas activities under state authorization and will continue to be subject to rights-of-ways for roads, pipelines, power lines, communication sites and similar uses authorized by the United States.
This classification does not convey the lands and minerals to the state. Before officially conveying these lands and minerals to the state of Colorado, the BLM will conduct an environmental assessment as well as environmental site assessment, cultural resource inventory, and threatened and endangered species examinations.
The BLM is accepting comments on its initial classification of these lands and minerals until Nov. 16, 2015. Please submit written comments to the BLM Colorado State Office, 2850 Youngfield St., Lakewood, CO 80215.
Before including your address, phone number, email address or any other personal identifying information in your comment, be aware that your entire comment, including personal identifying information, may be made publicly available at any time. While individuals may request the BLM to withhold personal identifying information from public view, the BLM cannot guarantee it will be able to do so.
The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.