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Rio Blanco commissioners approve letter supporting changes to BLM‑Colorado MOU on oil and gas permitting
Summary
The board voted unanimously on May 19, 2025, to approve a letter of support intended to encourage further negotiation between the Bureau of Land Management and Colorado over an MOU related to oil and gas permitting; county speakers said the letter is meant to support local operator QB and to prompt further interagency discussions.
Rio Blanco County commissioners on May 19, 2025, approved a letter of support related to proposed changes to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and State of Colorado memorandum of understanding (MOU) concerning oil and gas permitting.
A motion to approve the letter was seconded and carried on a roll call vote: Commissioner Richfield — Aye; Commissioner Overton — Aye; Commissioner O'Hara — Aye.
Reese, who briefed the board, said the letter is intended to foster more discussion between the BLM and state officials and to help guide negotiations for QB’s development, noting the BLM had expressed caution about some draft MOU language. "I think the letter's in good shape to submit, for QB's use in further negotiations and draftings," Reese said.
Commissioners and staff discussed a broader federal‑state permitting question that came up in meetings with federal officials: whether state permitting must occur before federal permitting can start. County attendees said they plan to continue discussing timelines with federal officials and with ECMC to try to reduce duplicative delays. One commissioner encouraged staff attending Washington meetings to press Department of the Interior officials for clarity on the interplay of state and federal permitting requirements.
The board’s action was procedural: the letter was authorized for transmission to the parties listed in the draft, and staff said they expect continued dialogue and additional draft language to circulate in coming months.
