GRAND JUNCTION – A federal land agency has proposed transferring federal lands to the state of Colorado to pay off a government debt dating back more than a century and is now seeking comment on the proposal.

The Daily Sentinel reports that the Bureau of Land Management has proposed giving 28 square miles of federal lands and minerals and another 9 square miles of federal mineral estate to the state.

Officials from the state Board of Land Commissioners say a petition was filed for land and mineral estate in lieu of land never previously received.

Officials say the land proposed for exchange wouldn’t impact access to public lands used for recreation purposes.

Officials say existing oil and gas leases would also remain in effect under the proposal.

Federal officials say the transfer would satisfy the debt it owed the state in 1876 after it joined the union following the Revolutionary War.

Officials say the state never got those lands because they were included in an Indian reservation or forest reserve or national forest.

Federal officials are accepting comments on the proposal by Dec. 23.