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Hickenlooper in Glenwood Springs for RFTA natural gas buses

Governor Hickenlooper made a visit to Glenwood Springs today to commemorate the Roaring Fork Transportation Authority's new natural gas bus system. KDNK's Ed Williams was there and filed this report.

Last-minute lease deferrals in the North Fork Valley

The Bureau of Land Management is auctioning off close to 100 leases for natural gas drilling in Colorado today but 20 parcels in and around Paonia, Crawford, and Hotchkiss won't be among them. Citizens who have taken a stand against gas drilling in the North Fork Valley are happy but the specter of natural gas exploration in the area still looms. KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh has this report.

And click through to hear the full interview with author Eugenia Bone, who went to Washington DC in January to talk with legislators and BLM officials about gas drilling in the North Fork Valley.

GarCo Air Quality Monitoring Criticized by Residents

Several Carbondale residents were among a small crowd that gathered in Rifle Thursday night for Garfield County's Energy Advisory Board meeting. KDNK's Marilyn Gleason was there and has this report.

Fate of the Sunset Roadless Area Uncertain

In December, the Bureau of Land Management approved an expansion of the West Elk Coal Mine, southeast of Somerset, Colorado, which could impact a nearby roadless area. Environmentalists may take action against the decision, but government agencies say the expansion is not yet set in stone. KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh has more about the complicated, multi-level approval process.

A Thompson Divide Expert on Gas Drilling in the Divide

Gary Osier was Assistant District Ranger and Forest Minerals Specialist at the Rifle Ranger District of the White River National Forest for 20 of his 32-year U.S. Forest Service career. He retired in 2003 but still knows the Thompson Divide almost by heart. He recently spoke with KDNK's Amy Hadden Marsh about two natural gas wells proposed by Houston-based SG Interests near 4 Mile Park. Their conversation begins with the exact location of the proposed wells.

Setbacks and Water Quality at GarCo's November EAB Meeting

The agency that regulates oil and gas drilling in Colorado is considering new rules that could mandate water quality testing by drilling companies, and increase the required distance between gas wells and existing buildings. Kirby Wynn, Garfield County's Oil and Gas Liaison, briefed the county's Energy Advisory Board Thursday night on the draft regulations written by the Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission. KDNK's Nelson Harvey was there and has this report.

County commissioners insist Four Mile Road not an option for haul route

At the Garfield County board of commissioners meeting Monday morning, locals responded to news of a new drilling application in the Thompson Divide. KDNK's Eric Skalac was there and has this report.

Environmental Assessment Before Four Mile Drilling

Texas-based SG Interests recently filed an application to drill a gas lease in the Thompson Divide area. The Bureau of Land Management, or BLM, and the US Forest Service are reviewing the application, and once they deem it complete, the two agencies will initiate an environmental assessment process.

KDNK's Eric Skalac spoke to the BLM spokesman David Boyd to find out what that process would entail.

Rankin Applauds Efforts of Thompson Divide Coalition, But Hears a Lot of Hyperbole

When the boundaries of Colorado House District 57 were redrawn over the last year, Garfield, Rio Blanco and Moffat counties were left with an open race and no incumbent. As the 2012 elections approach, the district 57 candidates have used this opportunity to shape the discussion around issues like education reform, balancing the state's budget and the health and economic impacts of energy extraction.

Republican candidate Bob Rankin stopped by the KDNK studio this week to discuss some of those very issues.

KDNK's Eric Skalac asked Rankin about his stance on the efforts of the Thompson Divide Coalition to restrict or eliminate gas drilling leases and about the broader issue of balancing multiple uses on land coveted by diverse interests.

Baxter Supports Thompson Divide Protection, Sides With State In Longmont Suit

When the boundaries of district 57 were redrawn over the last year, Garfield, Rio Blanco and Moffat counties were left with an open race and no incumbent. As the 2012 elections approach, the district 57 candidates have used this opportunity to shape the discussion around issues like education reform, balancing the state's budget and the health and economic impacts of energy extraction.

Democratic candidate Jo Ann Baxter came by the KDNK studio on First Friday to talk about the important issues this campaign season. And in Garfield County, few issues capture the public's interest like gas drilling.

KDNK's Eric Skalac asked Baxter about the controversy surrounding municipal regulations for mineral extraction, and the state's lawsuit against the town of Longmont for defining their own gas drilling rules. 

For Baxter's views on education reform, water conservation and medical marijuana, click here.

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