The Colorado State Land Board’s January 21-22 meeting produced the clearest picture yet of Director Nicole Rosmarino’s priorities seven months into her tenure. High Country Advocate analyzed the 623-page board packet and both days of meeting to document how promises to the Rural Caucus translated into practice.
The results warrant a seven-article special report examining lease decisions, conservation spending, agricultural restrictions, energy transition, Permanent Fund politics, and Rosmarino’s overall performance. Grade: D.
A 10-year Moffat County lessee lost 9,634 acres despite superior stewardship scores. C&C Cattle scored 18 points on stewardship versus Ely Ranch’s 15, but Ely’s $57-per-AUM bid—203 percent higher—drove the 5-0 vote. “We can either do top-tier stewardship on our state lands, or we can offer a high lease payment,” C&C’s Cindy McKee told commissioners. “We can’t do both.”
The board authorized $683,000 in conservation spending while denying a family mining operation generating $2,860 annually. Michigan River Camp received $500,000, fen protection got $183,000, both justified partly through “voluntary biodiversity markets” that don’t exist. High Plains Stone’s third-generation business got denied because staff phases out “low-revenue” extractive uses.
Fen protection plans expand grazing restrictions across 1,500 acres. Livestock exclusion fencing and mandatory management plans target what staff calls degradation from “long-standing practice of using fens as sole source of water for livestock.” Historical agricultural use becomes environmental problems requiring regulation.
Geothermal companies eye 576,000 acres including Ormat and Eavor, the industry’s global leaders. Enhanced Geothermal Systems drilling to 20,000 feet promises huge returns but production won’t start until 2030 or later. Staff admits they don’t know appropriate royalty rates—no existing Colorado leases provide benchmarks.
Permanent Fund commissioners prepare to “play defense” on impact investing while waiting for 2027’s new governor and treasurer. The $1.33 billion fund shrinks in real terms as mineral royalties get distributed to beneficiaries rather than deposited into principal. Structural problems remain unfixed.
Rosmarino’s seven-month report card: D. Agricultural lessees displaced despite superior stewardship. Conservation spending advanced on speculative markets. Transparency gaps widened. Staffing serves environmental ideology over revenue generation. February’s HB 25-1332 legislative oversight determines whether concerns get addressed or dismissed.
Red flags to monitor: Revenue priorities shift with dollar amounts. Speculative markets replace documented revenue. Information lessees need stays hidden. Hiring reveals conservation priorities. Revenue reporting gaps match spending increases.
The January meeting demonstrated how Rosmarino’s board operates when major decisions concentrate in a single session. Agricultural lessees, trust beneficiaries, and legislative oversight now have documented evidence of policy direction contradicting stated commitments to revenue generation and lessee support.
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