How Colorado Cowboys and Conservationists United to Halt Drilling in the Thompson Divide

In the sprawling expanse of the Thompson Divide, a quarter-million acres of Colorado’s public land, an unlikely alliance formed to halt a proposed oil and gas drilling project. This grassroots movement, consisting of ranchers, environmentalists, snowmobilers, and cyclists, may not have had much in common initially, but they shared one unifying goal: protecting the pristine wilderness of the Thompson Divide.

Despite their differences, this coalition’s innovative legal strategy secured a 20-year pause on new oil and gas development in the region, marking a significant win for conservation. Their success could serve as a model for future efforts to preserve public lands from industrial exploitation.

The History of Oil and Gas Leases in Thompson Divide

The Thompson Divide, located in west-central Colorado, overlaps with the White River National Forest, one of the most visited national forests in the United States. Home to endangered species like lynxes and housing the state’s largest Aspen stand—a sprawling colony of trees connected by a lateral root system—the Thompson Divide is a unique ecological treasure.

However, in the early 2000s, the Bush administration issued around 80 oil and gas leases in the area, aiming to boost energy production on public lands. Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, had made drilling cheaper and more feasible in remote areas, including those within the Thompson Divide. This technological advancement led to a drilling boom in Colorado, sparking widespread concern among local communities, ranchers, and environmentalists who saw the potential for environmental degradation and loss of grazing land.

The Unlikely Alliance: Cowboys and Environmentalists

What makes this story stand out is not just the environmental victory but the unlikely coalition that emerged to achieve it. The Thompson Divide Coalition, as it came to be called, comprised ranchers who wanted to preserve grazing land, snowmobilers and cyclists who wanted to protect their recreational spaces, and conservationists focused on safeguarding the ecosystem.

The group’s diversity was its strength. According to Zane Kessler, the founding executive director of the coalition, “It’s an incredible story of how it all came together.” The group’s shared passion for preserving the natural beauty of the Thompson Divide brought together a wide range of interest groups, united against a common threat.

A New Legal Strategy: Turning the Tables on Oil and Gas Leases

Initially, the Thompson Divide Coalition and its legal team, led by Peter Hart from the Wilderness Workshop, tried to buy back the leases from the oil and gas companies. However, most leaseholders declined their offers, confident that they were sitting on lucrative oil and gas reserves worth billions. But in reviewing the leases, Mr. Hart and his team discovered several legal deficiencies that would become pivotal in their strategy to halt the drilling.

One significant oversight was the inadequate public comment period during the lease approval process, a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). Additionally, the rapid expansion of hydraulic fracturing had outpaced environmental regulations. The government had not properly accounted for the environmental impacts of fracking when issuing the leases, further weakening their legal standing.

These legal flaws gave the Thompson Divide Coalition a foothold in their fight. Rather than suing the government directly, as initially planned, the coalition turned the tables. The companies holding the leases, aware of the potential legal complications, began to reconsider the profitability of drilling in the area. The coalition’s thorough legal groundwork had made the leases far less attractive than they first appeared.

The Legal Battle and Public Support

The coalition’s legal efforts culminated in administrative challenges to the leases, leading one leaseholder to take the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to federal court. Public sentiment also turned against the leases, with widespread opposition to oil and gas drilling in the Thompson Divide.

In early 2023, when the BLM opened the public comment period on the leasing program, more than 65,000 people submitted statements in favor of stronger environmental protections. This overwhelming response demonstrated broad support for the coalition’s cause and highlighted the public’s commitment to preserving the area.

A 20-Year Pause: Victory for the Coalition

The relentless efforts of the Thompson Divide Coalition paid off in April 2023, when the Biden administration announced a 20-year pause on new oil and gas development in the Thompson Divide. This decision was not just a victory for the coalition but for all groups dedicated to preserving public lands for future generations. The administration hopes that Congress will pass legislation during this period to provide permanent protection for the area.

Mr. Hart believes the coalition’s work had a significant influence on government policy. “I don’t think those changes would have happened had it not been for the work of local communities and concerned citizens in places like the Thompson Divide,” he said.

Lessons for Future Conservation Efforts

The Thompson Divide Coalition’s success offers valuable lessons for future environmental efforts. By bringing together a broad coalition of stakeholders, they were able to present a unified front against powerful oil and gas interests. Their innovative legal strategy, focusing on the deficiencies in the leasing process, provided a strong basis for their campaign.

This case also underscores the importance of public engagement in conservation efforts. The 65,000 public comments submitted to the BLM were a key factor in halting the drilling leases, showing that grassroots support can sway government policy.

A Model for Future Conservation Battles

The story of how Colorado’s cowboys and conservationists joined forces to stop drilling in the Thompson Divide is an inspiring example of how diverse groups can come together to protect the environment. Their success offers a model for future conservation efforts, demonstrating the power of grassroots organizing, public engagement, and legal innovation in the fight to preserve public lands from industrial development.

As pressures to expand oil and gas production continue, the Thompson Divide Coalition’s strategy serves as a blueprint for other communities facing similar challenges. With continued collaboration and legal creativity, more public lands across the United States could be preserved for future generations.