Hickenlooper, Bennet Push Back on BLM’s Oil, Gas Lease Sales within the Southern Ute Reservation

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senators John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet called on the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) to work directly with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe to respond to their opposition to the roughly 2,500 acres of land the BLM opened for oil and natural gas extraction within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

"The Tribe has formally expressed its opposition to leasing these parcels, explaining that they are located within an environmentally and culturally significant portion of the Reservation where it has long sought to minimize surface disturbance," wrote the senators. "We urge BLM to give careful consideration to the Tribe's concerns and to continue robust consultation throughout this process. As a sovereign Tribal Nation with deep cultural, environmental, and economic interests in these lands, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's perspective should play a central role in BLM's decision-making."

The Tribe had previously submitted public comments formally opposing the sale of the nine parcels - totaling roughly 2,500 acres of land - within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation in BLM's upcoming December 2026 Oil and Gas lease sale. The senators also urged BLM to consult with the Tribe ahead of any leasing decisions being made.

Full text of the letter available HERE and below.

Dear Acting State Director Heinlein and Acting Deputy State Director Anderson:

We write regarding the Bureau of Land Management's (BLM's) proposed December 2026 Competitive Oil and Gas Lease Sale and the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's concerns about the nine proposed lease parcels located within the Southern Ute Indian Reservation.

The Tribe has formally expressed its opposition to leasing these parcels, explaining that they are located within an environmentally and culturally significant portion of the Reservation where it has long sought to minimize surface disturbance. The Tribe has also requested meaningful government-to-government consultation before any leasing decisions affecting these lands move forward.

We urge BLM to give careful consideration to the Tribe's concerns and to continue robust consultation throughout this process. As a sovereign Tribal Nation with deep cultural, environmental, and economic interests in these lands, the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's perspective should play a central role in BLM's decision-making.

The Tribe has raised practical questions regarding access to several proposed parcels, including that development may require rights-of-way across Tribal lands that are subject to the Tribe's approval. We encourage BLM to work closely with the Tribe to fully understand and address these issues before making any final leasing decisions.

Government-to-government consultation must be given the full time necessary to address the Southern Ute Indian Tribe's concerns, and the BLM should take all measures to ensure robust consultation, including withdrawal or deferral of the lease sale if needed. We urge the BLM to ensure its final decisions fully reflect the federal government's trust responsibility and commitment to meaningful government-to-government consultation with the Southern Ute Indian Tribe.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

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