Judge orders US to revive public role in energy leases on sage-grouse lands
BILLINGS, Mont. – A federal judge has ordered the reinstatement of public participation opportunities in oil and gas lease sales in Western states that were largely eliminated by the Trump administration to speed up sales.
U.S. Magistrate Judge Ronald Bush in a Friday ruling sided with environmentalists who sued in April out of concerns that upcoming sales could harm the greater sage-grouse, a struggling bird species.
> RELATED: Hickenlooper, other governors: Ban on land deals could hurt beleaguered sage-grouse
The ruling covers sales beginning this December involving hundreds of thousands acres in Colorado, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada and Utah. The states are home to the ground-dwelling bird that’s seen its numbers plummet due to development, disease and other factors.
The U.S. Bureau of Land Management in January made it optional to take public comment on sales and shortened the time in which formal protests could be filed.
> RELATED: COVER STORY: Battle brews across the West over sage-grouse protections
Polis-backed HOME Act aims to increase Colorado housing near transit, businesses
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 10 hours ago
Gov. Jared Polis and Democratic House Speaker Pro Tempore Andrew Boesenecker on Tuesday unveiled proposed legislation aimed at reducing barriers to building “affordable” housing. The bill, known as the HOME Act, will enable the construction of more new homes near...
Man accused of assaulting, attempting to kidnap Colorado Springs woman sentenced to probation
Mackenzie Bodell
mackenzie-bodell@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 15 hours ago
The man arrested after reportedly threatening to stab and kidnap a woman at a spa in Colorado Springs earlier this year avoided any jail time during his sentencing on Monday. Thomas McCarley, 54, was arrested on Jan. 28 after Colorado...
Gov. Jared Polis forms task force to combat pine beetle outbreak threatening Colorado forests
Marissa Ventrelli
marissa.ventrelli@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 14 hours ago
Gov. Jared Polis has issued an executive order establishing a task force to help protect Colorado forests and communities from the impact of pine beetle outbreaks, he announced on Monday. According to the governor’s office, the task force will also...
Polis names JB Holston as next head of Colorado Department of Higher Education
Marianne Goodland
marianne.goodland@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 15 hours ago
Gov. Jared Polis on Monday named JB Holston, former dean of the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science at the University of Denver, as the next executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education. He will succeed Angie...
Xcel Energy prepares for power shutoffs to help prevent a repeat of the Marshall fire
Scott Weiser
scott.weiser@gazette.com
Updated 18 hours ago
Forecast high winds along the Front Range on Wednesday revive memories of the devastating 2021 Marshall fire that destroyed more than 1,000 homes when gusts downed energized power lines. Xcel Energy now weighs proactive power cuts to avoid similar ignitions...
DeSantis’s Florida moves lay groundwork for possible 2028 presidential return
NAOMI LIM Washington Examiner
naomi-lim-washington-examiner@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 days ago
As 2025 comes to an end, political eyes are not only turning toward next year’s midterm elections, but also toward the 2028 Republican presidential primary, as possible candidates start posturing, including Gov. Ron DeSantis (R-FL). DeSantis, 47, who, along with...
Here’s why House Republicans are increasingly bucking leadership by forcing votes on unapproved bills
Rachel Schilke, Washington Examiner
rachel.schilke.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 2 days ago
Legislative tools once thought to be assets of the House minority party only are now being wielded by members of the majority Republican conference. Members and strategists say it’s less a reflection of weak leadership and more due to their...
Grand jury to investigate deadly July shooting involving El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies
O'Dell Isaac
odell.isaac@gazette.com
Updated 16 hours ago
The Grand Jury for the 4th Judicial District will review a deadly shooting to determine if criminal charges should be filed against the El Paso County Sheriff’s deputies involved, according to a Monday news release. The incident, which occurred July...
Wright seeks ‘broad-based’ reform of 55-year-old environmental law to speed permitting
Callie Patteson, Washington Examiner
callie.patteson.washington.examiner@gazetteedit.wpenginepowered.com
Updated 2 days ago
Energy Secretary Chris Wright joined the call for Congress to pass meaningful reforms to the federal environmental approval process required to build energy and infrastructure projects, specifically encouraging reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act. Better known as NEPA, the...
Q&A with the Colorado Springs Chamber & Economic Development Corporation | FISCAL ROCKIES
Thelma Grimes
thelma.grimes@coloradopolitics.com
Updated 2 days ago
Editor’s Note: Once among the nation’s fastest-growing economies, Colorado today confronts mounting challenges that threaten its momentum. This series reveals how a state once defined by prosperity is navigating economic cliffs and ridges. We explore the impact that increased regulations, tariffs,...
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