STATEMENT: CAP’s Nicole Gentile Praises Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal

Washington D.C. — Today, President Joe Biden finalized the Thompson Divide mineral withdrawal, which would take more than 225,000 acres of undeveloped public lands in Colorado off the table for oil, gas, and mining development. In response, Nicole Gentile, senior director for Conservation at the Center for American Progress, issued the following statement:

This decision will protect the Thompson Divide from drilling and mining and conserve a one-of-a-kind landscape for generations to come. The area contains some of the most important wildlife habitat in all of Colorado, and it provides outstanding recreation opportunities that boost local economies. Once again, the Biden administration is responding to locally driven calls to protect public lands and delivering on the president’s commitment to tackle the nature and climate crises head-on.

Related resource:

• “Ecosystem Benefits of the Thompson Divide Mineral Withdrawal” by Sharon Ferguson and Jenny Rowland-Shea

For more information or to speak with an expert, please contact Sam Hananel at [email protected].