Sign the Petition

Take Action

Now is the time to act if we want to protect our magnificent slice of western Colorado. Join the effort!  Together we can save this land. Let's save Thompson Divide!

ACT NOW!  ACT NOW!  ACT NOW!  ACT NOW!  

Why now?

The leases in Thompson Divide are largely undeveloped.  Now is the ideal time to protect this area from future development.  After they are drilled, it will be too late.

A new administration in Washington, new oil and gas rules at the state level and a temporary economic slump have slowed the natural gas boom. These realities have provided our community time to contemplate the protection of this special landscape.

Of course, this period is unlikely to last long. Rising gas prices, new technology and companies’ desire to extend their lease terms are likely to elevate the pressure to drill in this area in coming months and years.

David vs. Goliath? Remember -- David won

There are three communities in the United States that have successfully managed what we are trying to do here.

  • The community around Valle Vidal in New Mexico joined forces to secure a withdrawal from leasing for their beloved Valle Vidal.  The legislation was passed in December of 2006.
  • Citizens and conservation groups in Montana, who became the Coalition to Protect the Rocky Mountain Front, began working in 2003 to find a way to save the Front from drilling.  Congress passed legislation on January 13, 2007 withdrawing the area from further leasing and clearing the way to work towards retiring the existing leases.
  • Citizens Protecting the Wyoming Range united to prevent new energy development in the Wyoming Range.  The Wyoming Range Legacy Act, legislation that prevents new leasing of federal mining rights and creates a mechanism for the voluntary retirement of the existing leases that blanket undeveloped parts of the Wyoming Range passed Congress and was signed into law in March 2009.


What you can do to help