This week we sent out a letter asking Progress Now members to urge Governor Ritter to support protection of the Roan Plateau as he plans to release his 120 day review to the Bureau of Land Management.  Over 500 members responded by signing the open letter.  You can read the letter here

We also have a sampling of just some of the comments that members left.

Douglas Schnitzspahn -

Please consider the long-term effects of short-term thinking. The amount of natural gas that can be recovered form the Roan Plateau can never make up for the fragile, wild character of the place I want to be able to tell my children that you helped save this place for them and their children.

I've seen photos of the drilling platforms already in the Roan Plateau area and know that many, many more are planned.  This would be an irreplaceable long-term loss for our state, and I don't believe the short term energy gain warrants it, especially since conservation measures are still not a priority. In addition to the wildlife, there are many native plant species that will suffer if drilling goes ahead as planned. It is extremely difficult if not impossible to restore native plant species once their habitat is disturbed and it is these species that the wildlife depends on.

Nancy Zeilig -

I'm so glad you're Colorado's governor. It's great to have a governor we can trust to act out of integrity.

Les Gray -

The Roan Plateau is a jewel.  Only a small percentage of existing leased land has been developed.  We don't need the Roan now and future drilling techniques may do less damage.  Mr. Bush has already handsomely rewarded his patrons; don't let them get the Roan, too.