Biden admin blocks drilling in central Colorado's Thompson Divide

Interior Secretary Deb Haaland on Wednesday signed an order blocking mineral development in hundreds of thousands of acres of land in central Colorado.

Public Land Order 7939 removes roughly 221,898 acres from myriad forms of mineral development leasing, saving for existing rights, the DOI confirmed in a press release. Existing leases in the Thompson Divide area amount to less than 1% of the more than 3,000 federal leases in the state.

"The Thompson Divide area is a treasured landscape, valued for its wildlife habitat, clean air and water, and abundant recreation, ecological and scenic values. The Biden-Harris administration is committed to ensuring that special places like these are protected for future generations," Haaland said.

"Today's action has been the goal of a decades-long grassroots effort from a diverse stakeholder group, including hunters, anglers, ranchers, conservation groups, and local governments – and reflects this Administration’s ongoing commitment to honoring and lifting up locally led conservation efforts," she continued.

The order will keep the land unavailable for oil, gas, and other leases for 20 years.

Colorado Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet on Wednesday celebrated the announcement, saying "I’ve fought for over a decade alongside Coloradans to protect the Thompson Divide & Mt. Emmons. I’m pleased by [DOI]'s decision to protect this treasured landscape."

Ben Whedon is an editor and reporter for Just the News. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter.