Protecting the Thompson Divide in central Colorado

When oil and gas drilling disrupts wildlife migration and threatens clean water, the community stands up for the environment. If you haven’t heard of the Thompson Divide, it’s time to start paying attention. Its old forests and roadless hills span 221,000 acres across Pitkin, Garfield, and Mesa Counties in western Colorado.

In October 2022, the Biden administration proposed protecting 225,000 of public lands from oil, gas, and mining development for the next 20 years. Thousands of people from Colorado and across the nation showed their support for the protection that fall. 

Supporting the  protection of Thompson Divide is an easy decision when you know about all of the ecological and recreational benefits the area holds. The roadless area in the forest provides a safe place for many animals such as black bears, mule deer, elk and endangered species like the Canadian lynx. Unfragmented space is critical for animals. Oil and gas leasing operations in the Thompson Divide would break up habitat with roads and pipelines. 

Development  would disrupt recreational activities as well. The Divide hosts hunting grounds, fishing, hiking, biking, camping, as well as skiing and ice climbing in the winter. 

The Thompson Divide Administrative Withdrawal is expected to be finalized in October of 2024 and if finalized, the area will be protected for 20 years. Only Congress can permanently protect this valuable public land which they can do by passing Senator Bennet and Senator Hickenlooper’s CORE Act.