From staff reports The federal government has approved a 224-well oil and gas drilling project in western Colorado and at the same time opened a public comment period for more proposed drilling in the region.
The Bureau of Land Management issued an announcement after a court ordered the agency to rework its environmental analysis.
The BLM issued a decision approving a final supplemental environmental assessment that provides enhanced air quality analysis and affirms previous decisions approving the Bull Mountain Unit Master Development Plan and the Dual Operator 5-Pad Proposal.
The projects are for development of 55 private and 171 federal oil and gas wells on 38 new and existing well pads within the BLM Uncompahgre Field Office in western Gunnison County, which manages nearly 680,000 acres of public land in BLM Colorado’s Southwest District.
“Bull Mountain is expected to generate 11,500 jobs and nearly $2.2 billion in economic output over the life of the project,” said BLM Colorado Southwest District Deputy Manager Robert Potts. “The BLM, through its multiple use mission and management of the public’s oil and natural gas resources, helps meet the energy needs of the nation in an environmentally responsible way.”
The agency also said it is seeking public input on 61 proposed oil and gas leases on nearly 51,000 acres in the western part of the state.
The Bureau of Land Management Colorado State Office opened a 30-day public comment period to receive public input on plans to include 61 oil and gas parcels, totaling 51,068 acres, in a December 2025 sale. The comment period ends July 18.
The BLM completed scoping on these parcels in March 2025 and is now seeking public comment on the parcels, potential deferrals, and related environmental analysis. The BLM will use input from the public to help complete its review of each parcel, Potts said.
Leasing is the first step in the process to develop federal oil and gas resources. Before development operations can begin, an operator must submit an application for permit to drill detailing development plans. The BLM reviews applications for permits to drill, posts them for public review, conducts an environmental analysis and coordinates with state partners and stakeholders.