Roan Plateau: A Colorado landscape and legacy

Near the city of Rifle, the Roan Plateau towers more than 3,000 feet above the Colorado River valley below. The Roan is a unique landscape cherished by Coloradans, where locals and visitors have been camping, hunting, hiking and ranching for generations.

Although large volumes of natural gas exist throughout the region, the Roan Plateau itself is recognized as a "biological hotspot" for its unusual diversity of important species, and as a backcountry paradise for its unique recreational opportunities. Home to pure strains of native trout, rare plants, wildlife and raptors, old-growth Douglas fir, waterfalls and box canyons, the Roan Plateau is an oasis that offers unique public and natural resources surrounded by one of America's fastest growing natural gas fields.

Approved drilling permits have increased exponentially in the past several years, with 2006 having set another all time record. Unfortunately, rather than prioritize the multiple traditional uses of Roan Plateau, the proposed plan for the region would turn much of this pristine area into an industrial zone.

© 2004 Colorado Environmental Coalition/EcoFlight

Colorado can maintain its treasured landscapes and outdoor lifestyles while still contributing to meeting the nation's energy needs without turning our public lands into a sacrifice zone. Together we can ensure that some of our most important public lands will remain as they are today for ourselves, our economy, and for future generations to enjoy.