Colorado Public Lands Council

Since 1968, the Public Lands Council (PLC) has actively represented the cattle and sheep producers who hold public lands grazing permits. PLC advocates for these western ranchers who preserve our nation’s natural resources, while providing vital food and fiber to the nation and the world. PLC seeks to educate and inform policy decision-makers about public lands ranching to ensure the success and longevity of the industry in the United States. 

Colorado Public Lands Council works on behalf of federal lands grazers in Colorado and our bordering states. Thank you to those who continue to support PLC through your voluntary annual assessment! This assessment is based on the animal unit month (AUM) numbers provided by the BLM and USFS. The assessments collected annually by Colorado PLC are used in Washington, D.C. and Colorado to ensure public lands grazing continues for generations to come.

**2023 annual assessments were sent in the fall of 2023, as well as a fall 2023 newsletter. A spring 2024 newsletter was sent along with an updated summer 2024 newsletter (click here to read the newsletter). 2024 assessments will not be sent this fall, but rather expect a spring 2025 assessment. Thank you for your participation and support of Colorado PLC **

BLM and Forest Service Collaboration
CO PLC has earned a trust-based relationship with agencies that allows us to address annual and ongoing improvements that benefit permittees and administration of grazing allotments. Meetings are held with regional, state, and local agency staff multiple times per year. In addition, CO PLC is the ONLY organization in Colorado, and one of a handful nationally, that hold MOUs that empower the organization to represent permittees on monitoring, dispute resolutions, and cost-share programming. 

Planning Processes

There are multiple comment periods recently closed, currently open or highly anticipated in the next few months. See below for links to agency resources to stay updated on ongoing planning processes. 

Recent Actions

• Study Shows Excess Wild Horse Impacts: Click here to read the summary flyer of the 6-year intense monitoring study in the Piceance East-Douglas Herd Management Area. The research shows the removal of 771 horses in 2022 allowed for a significant increase in forage availability and doubled the deer and elk in that area!
• On July 15th, 2024, the U.S. Forest Service finalized its amendments to another portion of the Forest Service Handbook (FHS), this time addressing grazing permit administration. The final version of FSH 2209.13, Chapter 90, can be accessed on the National Directives Website at 2209.13 - 90 - Rangeland Management Decision Making. This is the latest in a series of revisions the Service has been making to its guiding manual and handbook. The changes took effect on July 15th.
• PLC Files Suit over BLM Public Lands Rule - In mid-July, national PLC and a coalition of ag and natural resource groups filed its case in the U.S. District Court for Wyoming challenging the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health rule.
• Colorado Public Lands Council and CCA submitted the following comments regarding Greater Sage-Grouse Rangewide Planning. Click here to read the submitted comments. 
• Colorado Public Lands Council recently commented on the Colorado Dolores Monument Designation. Click here to read more.

Bureau of Land Management 

• Greater Sage-grouse ePlanning site
• Big Game ePlanning site
• Uncompahgre RMPA ePlanning site
• Gunnison Sage-grouse ePlanning site
• Colorado River Valley Field Office and Grand Junction Field Office Supplemental EIS
  
• Solar Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement
  
• Wolf Creek Reservoir

• Public Lands Rule | Bureau of Land Management (blm.gov)

• PLC Files Suit over BLM Public Lands Rule - In mid-July, national PLC and a coalition of ag and natural resource groups filed its case in the U.S. District Court for Wyoming challenging the Biden Administration’s Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Conservation and Landscape Health rule. The final rule has caused significant concern for grazers and other partner groups, because the rule upends multiple-use management, circumvents public processes, and could facilitate the reduction of grazing. PLC has led industry engagement in each step of the process and upon review of the final rule, core concerns remained which led to this filing. The suit challenges the rule on three fronts:
  1. The rule exceeds BLM’s statutory authority in creating uses, leasing systems, and multiple-use prioritizations, and the authority to withdraw lands without public input or Congressional approval.
  2. The rule is arbitrary and capricious.
  3. The rule violates the National Environmental Policy Act.

U.S. Forest Service

• Old Growth Forests Proposal
  
  

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

• National Wildlife Refuge System - Biological Integrity, Diversity, and Environmental Health
• Endangered Species Act - Silverspot Butterfly Protections

National Public Lands Council Update - Anticipated Regulatory Action

• USFWS Section 10 Take Permits - Final rule expected soon.
• USFWS Wildlife Refuge System BIDEH Rule - Comments on proposed rule closed.
• BLM Conservation and Landscape Health Rule - PLC/NCBA filed a lawsuit to overturn the rule. Pending action. 
• BLM Revised Sage Grouse Plans - Comments closed. Click here for more information. 
• BLM Westwide Solar Plan - Comments closed. 
• USFWS Migratory Bird Treaty Act Take Permits - Final rule expected April.
• USFWS ESA Critical Habitat - Click here for the final rule.
• USFWS ESA Section 7 Consultation - Click here for the final rule. 
• USFWS ESA Blanket 4(d) Rule - Click here for the final rule.

Stay tuned to check this page for updated resources and information related to the Colorado Public Lands Council.