The following article in today's Denver Post sums up the status of protecting one of Western Colorado's most threatened areas. Oil & Gas interests are pushing hard to open up the 50K + acres on the top of the Roan Plateau to drilling before the Bush administration is out of office next year. The likely time-line for this is that despite a 120 day reprieve and a recommendation to limit drilling on the plateau by Ritter, all signs point to the likelyhood that the Bush administration will ignore any recommendations. So it's up to our Congressional delegation to get legislation protecting the top of the plateau through Congress this fall. They're going to need are help. - you can check out the article below

Ritter seeks "balance" on Roan drilling Although the governor opposes more gas wells on the plateau, he said the state should focus on mitigating any impact.

By Jennifer Brown Denver Post Staff Writer Article Last Updated: 09/19/2007 12:36:00 AM MDT

The economic benefits of more gas drilling on the Roan Plateau aren't worth disturbing a "largely untouched" wilderness, Gov. Bill Ritter told a group of environmentalists Tuesday. But the governor made no promise that he could prevent the federal government's drilling plans and focused more on how to mitigate the environmental impact. "We are looking for the balance," Ritter told Colorado Conservation Voters, a political arm for environmental groups. "We are absolutely paying attention to impact." As he spoke, Colorado Department of Natural Resources director Harris Sherman was preparing for a trip to Rifle today to walk on the Roan Plateau, a 3,500-foot mesa that is a haven for hunters and anglers. "It's sort of a reconnaissance," said department spokeswoman Deb Frazier. The state is in the middle of a 120-day review of the Roan Plateau drilling plan, granted by the federal Bureau of Land Management at Ritter's request.

In December, the state is expected to tell the bureau why it opposes expanded drilling for natural gas on the Roan. But the governor's office acknowledged that the federal government doesn't have to listen, Ritter spokesman Evan Dreyer said. And the state's top environmentalists say they are relying on Colorado's congressional delegation to block expanded drilling. The U.S. House passed an energy bill with an amendment sponsored by Colorado Democratic Reps. Mark Udall and John Salazar that would bar drilling on top of the Roan. The House and Senate have to reconcile their versions of the bill. "At the end of the day, we have to count on our congressional delegation," said Elise Jones, executive director of the Colorado Environmental Coalition. Jones said she is frustrated with the "rush to lease" in western Colorado, particularly in one of the "last few special places." But those who support the Bureau of Land Management's plan say it's restrictive enough to protect the environment. The plan would limit drilling to 1 percent of the plateau's surface at a given time, argue Sen. Josh Penry, R-Grand Junction, and Rep. Al White, R-Winter Park. They propose putting drilling revenue in a trust fund for colleges and universities. Meg Collins, president of the Colorado Oil & Gas Association, said companies have the technology to safely explore the Roan.

"The industry believes it can explore and develop for energy resources in an environmentally sensitive and an environmentally responsible manner," she said. Ritter signed new laws this year designed to protect the environment and wildlife habitat from the drilling boom. The laws added more environmentalists to the Oil and Gas Conservation Commission and directed the commission to include the Division of Wildlife in creating drilling practices. Ritter said he was concerned about mule deer and elk herds on the Roan Plateau but encouraged by an increase in directional drilling in Colorado, which allows companies to drill more wells from one pad. "We are going to be stubborn about measuring impact," he said.