[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},"mediaId",6121298,"mediaKeyId","2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2","parentId",2703220,"title","DNR and DRMS update board on severance-tax shortfall, Colorado Outdoor Strategy, Schwartzwalder water treatment and state rule activity","audioSeconds",485,"startMs",201000,"endMs",686000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2&start=201&end=686","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2/thumbnail_201000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6121298/Colorado/DNR-and-DRMS-update-board-on-severance-tax-shortfall-Colorado-Outdoor-Strategy-Schwartzwalder-water-treatment-and-state-rule-activity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121298-d9b020fbc04ad2d7cf639115a23edfac/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987119&Signature=QjHSumt0gqIBeDMPPigUVXMxjKDX47OJLjmJ4Qi1e-y3HqmvSmG8jivlTxbe825Cz4PWA59PO2fT8kpTE2eTYI9fYtCTDIdiQZ7FQ0Oh0n2P4VRS-Imgo6HMMIdQBLmGAvwgrStatMADKcXXQY42lyK~rYDa2wzraUbU~mLSQ87Zq0QQRlosw7Nf0c64LN7g2Ccc~epa7VpNn3yaijGo7-hLItMoubNPXr1IY9iwVCuzaxkT1esaeXtQ-4-c6HDy~IUhmIJXRa1qFoqvmNt686LWqu6EvO1nDD9eKHcAOQdy1jfWsLUbEa3ujlj924yAE6jKs01OoF7njPjKYCBgNA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","","date","2025-03-20T04:23:37.313Z","article","Department of Natural Resources staff briefed the Mined Land Reclamation Board on a suite of policy and operational updates during the March meeting, touching on recreation strategy, revenue forecasts, water treatment at a forfeited mine, county land-use coordination and federal rulemaking with potential state impacts.

A department deputy noted the Colorado Outdoor Strategy — a multi-division effort to balance conservation, recreation and climate resiliency — is nearing completion and will be rolled out at a Parks and Wildlife partners conference in late April. Staff also said the Department plans to introduce a Colorado Outdoor Recreation Enhancement Act as a late bill to establish a non-motorized trails program and a river recreation program and to give Parks and Wildlife greater capacity to manage recreation beyond park boundaries.

Staff reported a recent Office of State Budget (OSDB) revenue forecast showing sharp declines in severance tax revenue for fiscal year 2024–25 because of large refunds to oil-and-gas taxpayers; the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS) warned that distributions to DNR from severance tax could be near zero for the current fiscal year and said the department is reviewing program funding and the potential need to adjust program delivery. The department said Senate Bill 40 will create a task force to evaluate future water funding beyond severance tax dollars.

Division staff briefed the board on site-level work: DRMS expects to resume water treatment at the Schwartzwalder mine in May under a newly awarded eight-year contract to a contractor with prior subcontractor experience at the site. Staff said there was about $7.2 million available from a forfeited site warranty and that operating costs are approaching $1 million per year, leaving funds sufficient for roughly five to six years of treatment; staff said discussions are underway with public-health authorities and the EPA about listing the site on the Superfund program if required. DRMS also reported assisting San Miguel County by commenting on draft changes to the county’s land-use code regarding renewable energy and minerals exploration.

On energy-related rules, the Energy and Carbon Management Commission adopted updated high-priority habitat maps and began rulemaking to reduce freshwater use in oil-and-gas operations, including preliminary rule approval for statewide freshwater-use-reduction targets and a flexible compliance mechanism. Staff noted several federal rulemakings — including an EPA rule revising the definition of waters of the United States and ongoing proposed changes to NEPA implementation regulations — and said the department is reviewing those proposals for Colorado-specific impacts.

Staff also reported tribal-engagement activity: the Colorado Commission on Indian Affairs (CCIA) has initiated a statewide repatriation and reinterment effort and will continue consultations to update the state’s tribal-consultation guide; DNR participates on work groups to formalize tribal engagement across divisions. Finally, Parks and Wildlife’s annual Partners in the Outdoors conference was noted as sold out and will be the venue to launch the Colorado Outdoor Strategy.

Board members asked clarifying questions about timing, potential program impacts from revenue shortfalls, and whether administrative steps at Schwartzwalder could require Superfund listing; staff said discussions are ongoing and pledged to keep the board updated as decisions and federal/state processes evolve.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Colorado MLRB's March 19, 2025 Zoom Meeting","oneSentenceSummary","Department of Natural Resources and Division staff summarized policy developments and site-level work, including a near-final Colorado Outdoor Strategy, a planned late bill to establish recreation programs, a severe drop in severance-tax distributions for FY24–25, and resumption of water treatment at the Schwartzwalder mine under an eight-year contract.","taxTitle","Mined Land Reclamation Board, Governor's Boards and Commissions, Organizations, Executive, Colorado","taxId",28139,"location","Colorado","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121303,"Board suspends New Elk and Lawrenceito Canyon permits amid ownership and insurance gaps; Division declines to forfeit bonds now",1867,2637000,4504000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2&start=2637&end=4504","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2/thumbnail_2637000.jpg","/articles/6121303/Colorado/Board-suspends-New-Elk-and-Lawrenceito-Canyon-permits-amid-ownership-and-insurance-gaps-Division-declines-to-forfeit-bonds-now","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121303-c5a2b950f07b723886f35926efd473cf/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987119&Signature=GtuMQ8xJA7nyy-~JLEb~wUdyuEMlXxYct7DIf4P7bPBDynTephunvWjYnXhuNi8xCDRbDcwDyPaQK3g8pfA6L6UjUrj-mwSJvhBd1iPNEDwT8TIVTxLPuKobKecNYR7u3iexwJMXznikOl3-1U0jU8x3ZpCgUI5qG-jwVj2O~apLFnNqOTZXlxJPJT2SIzBQ-Ck8Hw8HDrR930v6NjMIK7F3qsFWLOMTJChkhFzju~AuzWRv-DUYJji3GBnnSZw4iCTzZiB0NFeHCqVxpWWChc9QEIGU1igqgOaN3xymDp1S-nw00WJwvrWVKw3I1r-PprRwgOnDUgwM91UgUEgjUQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mined Land Reclamation Board voted to suspend two coal permits on March 19 after the permittee failed to maintain required public liability insurance and did not respond to a show-cause order.

Amber Gibson, representing the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety (DRMS), told the board that both the New Elk Mine (permit CDash1981Dash012) and the Lawrenceito Canyon Mine (permit CDash1996Dash084) lacked current public liability insurance certificates and that the permittee, New Elk Coal Company LLC (an Allegiance Coal USA affiliate), had ceased operations and failed to abate violations. Gibson said the Division issued notices of violation and, after the permittee did not correct the deficiencies within the allowable extensions, issued failure-to-abate cessation orders and an order to show cause. The Division did not receive a response to the show-cause order.

DRMS described the New Elk Mine as an underground coal operation with multiple surface facilities and a bond of $5,218,954; the Lawrenceito Canyon Mine is a mostly reclaimed surface mine with a $927,121 bond. Gibson recommended suspension — not revocation — to provide time for an interested party to acquire assets and restore compliance. The Division also said it did not recommend forfeiting performance bonds at this time but reserved the right to seek forfeiture later if an acquisition did not proceed.

Representatives for potential buyers, including mining consultant Eldon Strid and attorney Scott Anderson on behalf of the Hill family, told the board they are actively pursuing a transaction. Strid said the Hill family intends to acquire the assets via assignment of a deed of trust currently held by Collins Street (a secured creditor) and then foreclose to obtain title, after which they would seek to be named permittee and reinstate insurance and other compliance items. Hill representatives said the foreclosure and transfer process could extend beyond 60 days; they asked the board to suspend rather than revoke the permits to preserve facilities and allow a potential transfer.

Division staff explained that suspension — unlike revocation — allows the Division to preserve the permits while pursuing administrative remedies, to maintain structures such as the on-site wash plant and associated infrastructure, and to avoid immediate forfeiture and reclamation that could remove assets useful to a future operator. DRMS noted that statutory deadlines require the board to issue a written decision within 60 days after a hearing on a show-cause order; the Division will continue to coordinate with interested parties and the surety as appropriate.

A motion to suspend permits CDash1981Dash012 and CDash1996Dash084 under the cited statutes and rules was moved, seconded and carried by the board. The Division will set another hearing if the acquisition does not proceed or if forfeiture becomes necessary.","The Mined Land Reclamation Board voted March 19 to suspend permits for the New Elk Mine (CDash1981Dash012) and Lawrenceito Canyon Mine (CDash1996Dash084) after the permittee failed to maintain required public liability insurance and did not abate cessation orders.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121307,"Mined Land Reclamation Board finds Colorado Quarry 1 in violation, issues cease-and-desist and $10,750 penalty for out-of-bound disturbance",1957,897000,2854000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2&start=897&end=2854","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2/thumbnail_897000.jpg","/articles/6121307/Colorado/Mined-Land-Reclamation-Board-finds-Colorado-Quarry-1-in-violation-issues-cease-and-desist-and-10750-penalty-for-out-of-bound-disturbance","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121307-2859623504f6b9c3861d379bd8dbf5c5/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987119&Signature=gdPKKJmUyDR1cDMjSHzsSGyjuAJwiG8StypU19XoTVq1OjK3-An6ymAMCnSqsMYQnTiROHRfVBo4AJZO7gID75RmD268G3kX0TFlFyTjx3f4pITGymDMG2JAQ-b9~oIPpoi2-5TajsPvNNjm3-NKNvxHHKBEYputsV3oV3CHV5xJs9Jods4gO3wlDtPIOpqZy16TCSYu0Szbvj-n59wwHY3jKsNC2I692an2UvFuJPEgJztFxDUzpADrd9mLKjVgHeGNRFsZ0afjZeRkQ6ykVKHltPu-45M2fVQvEgzb5w0EgPkdPNCIbGFRPAEU27YyI7TMGTlJJf4Qzt7b9ZYK0g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Mined Land Reclamation Board on March 19 found Colorado Quarry 1 LLC in violation of state mining rules for affecting roughly 1.79 acres outside the approved Meadow Hollow Quarry permit boundary and issued a cease-and-desist order and a civil penalty.

A staff presentation by Jocelyn Carter of the Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety detailed the Division’s December 27, 2024 inspection at Meadow Hollow Quarry (permit MDash2009Dash006), which found stockpiled product, palletized material, equipment, a scale house and a shed storing chemicals and tools in the area outside the red-lined approved permit boundary. Carter said the disturbed area measured about 1.79 acres and met the statutory definitions for affected land and part of the mining operation.

The board’s action matters because Colorado law requires operators to protect areas outside affected land from slides or damage occurring during the mining operation. The Division recommended a cease-and-desist order, a requirement that the operator submit a conversion application to bring the affected acreage into a permitted boundary within 90 days of the board’s order, and a civil penalty. Carter told the board the operator’s existing reclamation bond of $29,723 was “not adequate” to cover the newly identified disturbance and that a proper warranty would be calculated when a conversion application is reviewed.

The owner and manager of the operation, Bryce Bull, told the board his company took over operations about a year ago, is under contract to purchase the parcel (expected to close April 15) and intends to file a conversion (\"1-12\") application within days. Bull said the affected area included material and storage left by the prior owner and that Colorado Quarry 1 plans to include roughly the entire parcel — about 44 to 45 acres total — in the conversion application so the disturbed acreage is brought under a single permitted area. Consultant Jay Panzarella confirmed the operator is preparing a conversion application and estimated the bond will increase substantially once the larger acreage and revised reclamation plan are reviewed.

After discussion and questions about the history of the disturbance, adequacy of the bond, and whether the incursion developed over time, a board member moved to find the permittee in violation of CRS 34-32.5-116(4)(I), to issue a cease-and-desist order prohibiting further mining activities except as approved in writing by the Division, to require submission of a conversion application within 90 days, and to assess a civil penalty of $10,750 with all but $500 suspended if the corrective actions are completed to the Division’s satisfaction. A second was recorded and the motion passed.

The board’s order requires conversion permit application materials to be submitted in approvable form within statutory time frames; payment of the unsuspended penalty portion is due within 30 days of the mailing date of the signed order unless the board specifies otherwise. The Division will calculate the revised performance warranty after reviewing the conversion application and proposed reclamation plan.

The board and staff noted the operator’s stated intent to file the conversion application promptly; the board said it will monitor the Division’s review and the operator’s compliance with the timelines in the order.","The board ruled that Colorado Quarry 1 affected about 1.79 acres outside its approved Meadow Hollow Quarry permit boundary, ordered a cease-and-desist, required a conversion application within 90 days and assessed a civil penalty of $10,750 with all but $500 suspended contingent on corrective action.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":56,"_74":56},6121293,"DRMS and Colorado Mining Association honor reclamation projects and industry leader at annual awards",364,3074000,3438000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2&start=3074&end=3438","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2703220-c4224eddc3e61e3a0f1aad124ccee4f2/thumbnail_3074000.jpg","/articles/6121293/Colorado/DRMS-and-Colorado-Mining-Association-honor-reclamation-projects-and-industry-leader-at-annual-awards","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6121293-7e3f09d23a18803641be4207931c9353/orig.mp4?Expires=1770987119&Signature=dCHBgo7gM3AVZYua8s~ZPqM~Hnf9zdc59KRhz5JVVi~luLe8UF1SeO0pdmcmZzsdaQvqhKg0ASxDwDo4op8p8Pc8KeOzLZt6wLtrWSyAHJVJ5x4hKBLJkI57bJNioHesvb~zbn73TwUGfNK4LeJvVgZJJ6ci4nvdJ3yZgwgAXEHXkZR6yIo8AWpf62FodA0lVsFRjwcwgY2L7f2YMCA6yK8afumYcFUzJkwpz2--jwDX0lTvgXSAmh6IH12aw7uXqm~8dPo1cnvD8h7QfzPOtueScrTpXlLluJJeHN9~NwCcRygS4jQe01QB8zCXIbwRABGPvJSsan-Jy4KbFUDkSA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Division of Reclamation, Mining and Safety, in collaboration with the Colorado Mining Association and the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration, recognized reclamation achievements and presented the James A. Pendleton award at the board meeting.

DRMS and CMA awarded Climax Millennium Company for overcoming the unique challenge of dismantling and airlifting massive steel rings and sealing a 100-foot shaft at a remote, high-elevation location near the Henderson Mine. Staff described the operation as involving helicopter removal of three 3,500-pound steel rings and sealing of a shaft close to popular hiking trails to protect public safety.

The Division also recognized longtime work at the West Elk Mine (Mountain Coal) for implementing targeted vegetation management, including clearing and mastication across about 225 acres to promote wildlife habitat and reduce wildfire risk; the project included partnerships with the West Region Wildlife Council, Colorado State Forest Service and Western Timber Management.

DRMS presented the 2024 Doctor James A. Pendleton Award to Basil Baer for a 45-year career in coal mining and reclamation in the North Fork Valley. Staff said Baer oversaw environmental and reclamation programs, led mine rescue teams and advanced practices such as on-site concrete recycling during reclamation projects. Baer retired in July 2024.

DRMS staff said nominations come from operators and staff; the division called for additional nominations in future cycles to recognize more community partnership projects. Board members applauded the awards as recognition of the mining community’s reclamation achievements.","The Division recognized reclamation work including removal of steel structures at Henderson Mine, vegetation management at West Elk Mine, and presented the James A. Pendleton award to Basil Baer for a 45-year career in coal mining reclamation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

DNR and DRMS update board on severance-tax shortfall, Colorado Outdoor Strategy, Schwartzwalder water treatment and state rule activity

Board suspends New Elk and Lawrenceito Canyon permits amid ownership and insurance gaps; Division declines to forfeit bonds now

Mined Land Reclamation Board finds Colorado Quarry 1 in violation, issues cease-and-desist and $10,750 penalty for out-of-bound disturbance

DRMS and Colorado Mining Association honor reclamation projects and industry leader at annual awards