Senators Bennet, Hickenlooper and Rep Neguse Block Hayden Oil Lease

Steamboat Springs —If you’re worried that the next big oil lease north of Hayden might drain your local economy or dry up the trout streams you fish, you’re not alone. Three federal heavyweights just signed a letter saying exactly that.

U.S. Sens. Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper, along with U.S. Rep. Joe Neguse, have officially joined the fight against a proposed oil and gas lease on U.S. Forest Service lands in Routt and Moffat Counties. They aren’t just waving flags; they’re pointing to specific acres and asking the Bureau of Land Management to look closer.

The target? 13,850 acres.

That’s the size of the land parcels in the Hahns Peak-Bears Ears Ranger District, north of Hayden, that the agency is now analyzing for potential drilling. The trio’s letter, sent to the BLM, argues that this isn’t just about extracting resources. It’s about protecting the water, the wildlife, and the outdoor recreation economy that actually puts money into our local businesses.

Let’s look at the numbers. The proposed lease covers 10 parcels. Six of those contain sensitive watershed and riparian habitats. Two of those specific parcels hold cutthroat trout habitat. We’re talking about the headwaters and the fish that define our river systems. The area also overlaps with migration corridors for elk, mule deer, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, and golden eagles.

If the department goes ahead and consents to the BLM leasing this land for a competitive bidding process, stipulations could be made to protect surface resources. But the senators and representative argue those stipulations might not be enough. They point out that the area overlaps with the California Park Special Interest Area, an ecological zone where restoration work is currently underway. You don’t want heavy machinery rolling in while crews are trying to fix the watershed.

The letter highlights a key frustration: economic viability. Previous oil and gas development efforts in Routt County have historically failed to show significant commercial success. The cost of extraction often outweighs the return. Meanwhile, the region’s long-term economic driver is outdoor recreation. Hunting, fishing, and multi-use trails are already there. Drilling could jeopardize that existing revenue stream.

This isn’t a new announcement. The Forest Service first announced in mid-June that it was analyzing the area. But the letter claims Routt County wasn’t notified of the lease prior to the announcement. Neguse, Hickenlooper, and Bennet argue that any action like this requires significant and meaningful public engagement, specifically with local jurisdictions that would be impacted.

They aren’t acting alone. The federal trio joins Steamboat Springs City Councilors Gail Garey and Amy Dickson, as well as the Routt County Commission, in their opposition. It’s a unified front from the county level all the way to Washington.

A flyover on July 24, reported by Trevor Ballantyne for the Steamboat Pilot & Today, showed the public lands area where drilling is being proposed. The visual is clear: remote, rugged, and ecologically significant.

The bottom line? If this lease goes through, we’re betting 13,850 acres of critical habitat and recreation land on an industry that has a shaky track record in this specific county. The locals, the county commissioners, and three federal politicians think the risk to water and tourism outweighs the potential reward of a few more wells.