Oil and gas leases on BLM land in Debeque

DEBEQUE, CO - JUNE 25: The western slope town of Debeque can be seen from an EcoFlight plane on June 25, 2018 in DeBeque, Colorado. In April, five environmental organizations sued the Department of the Interior challenging the department's leases on more than 45,000 acres of land in Mesa County for natural gas production. The Bureau of Land Management in December rejected protests by the organizations, who contend that leasing the lands which include parcels roughly from the town of Mesa to Highline Lake for hydraulic fracturing would threaten businesses and water and air quality, as well as damage the climate. Organizations say the agency leased the lands without adequate environmental analysis. Lease parcels at issue in this suit occupy the hillsides around the town of DeBeque and a Wildlife Area across the river. EcoFlight educates and advocates for the protection of remaining wild lands and wildlife habitat using small aircraft. The aerial perspective and their educational programs encourage an environmental stewardship ethic among citizens of all ages. (Photo by Helen H. Richardson/The Denver Post via Getty Images)