Coloradans Push for No Roadless Area Development

August 1, 2008 By: Marshall Cutchin

In Colorado, it seems the momentum is in favor of squashing the Bush administration’s reversal of a roadless-area development ban. Even some who supported Governor Bill Ritter’s compromise position to allow temporary roads to reach grazing areas, existing coal mines and oil and gas leases are backing away, according to Sramana Mitra’s piece on Forbes.com. “A report released last week by the Pew Environmental Group says at least 97 natural gas leases approved in roadless areas while the Bush rule was in effect could go forward if Colorado adopts its own plan rather than apply the Clinton-era roadbuilding ban already in place.”