Board approves mix of conservation investments, water lease changes and infrastructure permits

The Colorado State Land Board used its Jan. 22 public meeting to advance a set of conservation and infrastructure decisions that the staff framed as balancing trust stewardship with lawful revenue generation.

High Plains Stone denied (Table Mountain)

After months of review the board denied High Plain Stone's application to restart rock‑picking production on Table Mountain (solid minerals lease SM102452). Staff recounted a 2020 DRMS inspection that found mining activity outside permitted areas and a multi‑year reclamation extension that followed. Ben Teshner, solid minerals manager, told the board the lease type produces only modest revenue while causing long‑term management and reclamation demands. Tyler Morfield, representing High Plain Stone, asked for short additional access to finish legacy work and described the family business as "a model of sustainability for this type of practice," but the board voted to deny the application (motion passed 5–0, SEG 3639–3665).

Michigan River Camp — $500,000 IND appropriation

The board approved a $500,000 appropriation from the IND (investment and development) fund to help finish the meeting center at the Michigan River Camp (Jackson County). The State Forest Service and Colorado State University and local donors have already raised major pieces of the estimated $2.3 million meeting center budget; the board's contribution would help the project break ground and…