Commentary

There is an unnecessary divide between those who advocate for conservation and those who promote American energy independence. Some claim that supporting one dooms the other. But they are not diametrically opposed. Legislation like H.R. 6510, the Restore Our Parks and Public Lands Act, demonstrates that energy production and environmental protection can go hand-in-hand. The energy renaissance has helped revitalize our communities and underwrite our country’s efforts to preserve precious parks and historical sites for future generations.

The return of the Colorado Oil and Gas Association’s annual Energy Summit this week comes just a couple weeks after one of the largest gatherings in our industry’s history and what was a powerful showing of a more than three-thousand oil and natural gas workers. That event was largely overlooked by local media, which we hope is not repeated this week.   It was truly a remarkable afternoon in early August when more than three thousand oil and gas workers – and their families – made their way down to the Colorado State Capitol to rally in support of jobs and contributions to the state.  Energy workers and advocates stood out in coordinated t-shirts as they walked down the 16th Street Mall. The shirts expressed clearly what the event was all about: from “Energy Proud” on the front to the listing of “Top Ten Reasons to Love Oil and Gas” on the back.

Restaurant owners may know that open-faced sandwiches are regulated by the federal Food and Drug Administration (FDA), part of the Department of Health and Human Services. But if a second piece of bread is added on top, it is regulated by the Department of Agriculture (USDA). That’s because the USDA has a very specific definition of a sandwich: two slices of bread with the meat in the middle. So, is a hot dog a sandwich? The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council says no, but the State of California says yes. How about a burrito? Massachusetts ruled that a burrito is not a sandwich, but New York says it is. A cheese pizza is regulated by the FDA, but add pepperoni and it becomes a USDA matter. When you make an omelet, FDA regulates the eggs you crack, but if you pour liquid eggs from a carton, it’s USDA.

Public lands are a critical part of the Western way of life. What you may not know is that there are millions of public lands that many have lost access to because of the inaction of Congress. In Montana there are still over 1 million acres that have been locked …

Despite being a top national campaign donor in the past three election cycles, California billionaire and political activist Tom Steyer has a losing track record and has split the Democratic Party, especially on issues of energy and the environment. So his visit to Denver this week will undoubtedly create heartburn for Democratic officials. Steyer’s latest visit to Colorado is part of his impeachment roadshow, and his first foray into the Rocky Mountain West. He will be at the Mile High Station on Wednesday as part of his national “Need to Impeach” crusade, in which he has invested at least $40 million in a campaign to oust the President. Democrats across the country, including House Minority leader Nancy Pelosi and former senior advisor to President Obama David Axelrod, have voiced significant reservations about the campaign.

After formally voting to move forward with a climate lawsuit against Colorado energy producers, representatives from the City and County of Boulder, along with the County Commissioner of San Miguel County, made their way down from the third floor of the Boulder County Courthouse to the Pearl Street Mall to …

This week, the Colorado Mining Association will host the 120th National Western Mining Conference in downtown Denver. Our industry is emerging through a time of great transition, but the trajectory is bright. Instead of looking back and being reflective, this year we will discuss what is next. In attendance will …